திருவலஞ்சுழி சுவேத விநாயகர் (வெள்ளைப் பிள்ளையார்) கோயில்Thiruvalanchuzhi Swetha Vinayagar Temple

Sthala Mahātmyam

Within the Kapardeeswarar (Valanchuzhinathar) Shiva temple at Thiruvalanchuzhi, near Swamimalai, stands the celebrated Swetha Vinayagar, the 'White Ganesha,' called Vellai Pillaiyar in Tamil. According to the sthala legend, when the devas and asuras churned the Milky Ocean (Ksheera Sagara) for amrita, they neglected to first worship Ganesha and so drew up the deadly poison. Realising their omission, Indra fashioned a Ganesha idol from the foam (kadal nurai) thrown up by the churning and installed it here to make amends. Because the image is formed of delicate sea-foam, it is never bathed in water, milk or abhisheka liquids; instead it is gently cleaned with a soft brush and dusted with fragrant powders to preserve its fragile white form. The surrounding Shiva temple is a revered Paadal Petra Sthalam, sung in the Tevaram, where Shiva is Kapardeeswarar and the Goddess is Periyanayaki. Pilgrims worship the white Vinayaka for auspicious beginnings and the fulfilment of vows. Vinayaka Chaturthi is the principal festival, alongside the regular Shaiva observances of the parent temple.