Uppur

The Veyil Ugantha Vinayagar Temple is located in Uppur and is dedicated to God Veyil Ugantha Vinayagar. This temple is said to have been built by the Sethupathy kings after the period of the Pandya kings.

king Daksha expected God Shiva, his son-in-law, to obey him. In order to humiliate the God, Daksha organized a grand Yagna and invited everyone from the celestial world as well as sages except God Shiva. Angered by the intention of her father Daksha, Dakshayani went to the place of Yagna. However, Daksha insulted her as well. God Shiva sent Veerabadra to destroy Daksha's yagna. The Sun was one among the guests in the Yagna and so was punished.

The Sun came to earth to perform penance. He came to Vannimandharavanam, Kalipuram, Tirupunavayil and other places to perform penance to God Vinayaka. Pleased with Sun's penance, God Vinayaka relieved him from the sins he accrued. The Sun prayed to God Vinayaka requesting him to grant the same grace to all people. God Vinayaka also agreed to have the Sun's rays fall on him when he worships. Since God Vinayaka accepted Sun's rays, he is named Veyil Ugantha Vinayaka.

Hence, the place is also known as Suryapuri, Thavasiddhipuri (attaining powers through penance), Pavavimochanapuram (place where sins disappeared). As there were Vanni and Mandhara trees in plenty, the place is also known as Vanni Mandhara Puram.

When Sri Rama came to know about the place of captivity of Sita through Anjaneya, He set out from Prachravana hills with His monkey army to Vanni forests through the eastern coast. He worshipped Veyil Ugantha Vinayaka in a serene environment and sought His blessings for victory in his efforts and proceeded towards Sethukarai.

Though stories differ, it is believed that the temple was built by King Bhaskara Sethupathi in the year 1905. The story also goes that Lord Vinayaka appeared in the dream of a priest asked him to build a temple without roof on the Sanctum Sanctorum so that He can enjoy sunlight for ever. Because of this design, Sunrays fall on the deity on the southern side during the Dakshinayana period and on the northern side during the Utharayana period.

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Map
http://wikimapia.org/24555904/VEIYYIL-UGANTHA-Vinyagar-Temple-uppoor