01Vasuki, Arjuna and the ruby linga
Worn out from serving as the rope at the churning of the ocean, the serpent Vasuki came here and worshipped Shiva from an anthill, a puttru, which gives the second half of the name. Arjuna, on his tirtha yatra in the forest years, arrived thirsty; an old man gave him a staff to strike the ground under a vagai tree for water, and minded his sword while he drank. When Arjuna came back both were gone, and he knew the old man had been Shiva, who then showed him the sword hidden in Vasuki’s anthill. Val oli puttur, the anthill where the sword was hidden, became Valaputhur. Bhagwan Vishnu is said to have worshipped a ruby linga here, so the Lord is Manikkavannar, of the colour of rubies. Sambandar sang two padigams here and Sundarar one.
About 16 km from Mayiladuthurai; from Vaitheeswaran Koil go towards Tiruppanandal as far as Elanthoppu and take the branch road. Usually visited with Kurakkukka, Karuppariyalur and Tirupunkur.
