the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

This place is associated with Tripura Samhara. Three demons namely Tarakasur, Kamalaksha, Vidyunmali performed penance and got boon from Lord Brahma. This made them powerful without any fear of death. When deva, sages and others were harassed by these demons, they prayed to Lord Shiva. Heeding to their pleas he decided to destroy the demons. He made Earth his chariot, Sun and the Moon as his wheels, Lord Brahma as his charioteer and devas as his army. He had meru mount as his bow, Vasuki as a chord, Vishnu as bow and agni. When he mounted the ratha, the axel broke as he forgot to pray Lord Vinayaka. After praying to Lord Vinayaka, he mounted the ratha. Lord Shiva started laughing and a fireball came out of his mouth. The fireball burned the demons to ashes. Thus he redeemed the pride of devas. Later he pardoned the three demons. Two of them, he made them his dwarapalakas and one he made the player of his musical instrument known as Kudamuzha (a sort of pipe). As per another purana, this is the place where Lord Shiva destroyed the three demons and three cities created by them. Lord Vishnu as Saranarayana perumal helped him by giving an arrow. As per Shiva purana, the demon Tripuran was annihilated by Lord Shiva and the city of Tripura was destroyed by him. Shiva attained the name of Tripurantaka. Lord Shiva dipped his three fingers into the ashes of these cities and wore the ash on his forehead. This signifies the three lines of ashes worn by Lord Shiva. Thirunavukkuarsar was earlier known as Vageesar. His sister was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. She wanted her brother to leave Jainism and become a shaivaite. When Thirunavukkuarsar was suffering from an incurable disease, she convinced her brother to come to this place and made him believe that he would be cured by Lord Shiva. Vageesar visited this temple and sang hymns and worshiped Lord Shiva. On the instruction of Lord Shiva he took a dip in the temple tank and drank water from it. He was instantly cured of his disease. Lord Shiva named him as Navukkuarsar for the first time. Later on the name struck to him and he became known as Thirunavukkuarsar. There is a separate samadhi for Thirunavukkuarsar and his sister. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Appar in bridal form. Appar had entered the temple and Sundarar had not entered. When he was asleep by the side of the temple an old man trampled his hand. Therefore Sundarar avoided him by turning in another direction, but still the old man stepped on his hand. Lord Shiva appeared in front of Sundarar as the old man vanished. This temple is called as Siddhapureeshwarar temple near Panruti. The tradition of breaking coconut on the ground by throwing it (sitharathengai in Tamil) started at this place.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 7th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu on the banks of river Kedilam. This is one of atta veeratta sthalams ( 8 Temples ), where Lord Shiva Killed the Demons. This is the birth place of Thirunavukkarasu Swamikal, one of the 63 Nayanmars and who had done service in this temple. After getting cured from the soolai decease ( decease related to stomach like ulcer ) by the grace of Lord Shiva, he has become an ardent devotee. The temple has two gopurams, and two parikramas. The temple is about 1500 years old. The rajagopuram is seven tiered and has idols depicting 108 bharatnatyam postures. The second gopuram is five tier and it is the entrance to the second prakaram (corridor). The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva and shrine of devi are in the second parikrama. There is a sixteen pillar hall known as Thiruneetru Mandapam. This was constructed to commemorate Saint Appar’s conversion to shaivism from jainism. In the outer parikrama there is a garden containing trees and plants representing Nakshatra and Rashis. The temple tank is on the southern side entrance of the second rajagopuram. Nandi can be seen from the entrance of the second parikrama.

Special worship on Krittika nakshatra, Special worship on Mondays and Fridays besides daily worship, In the month of Chithirai (Apr-May) 10 days Vasant Utsav is held and the mulavar is paraded on different mounts. The shatabhisha nakshatra festival is associated with Appar’s salvation. Vaikasi (May-June) 10 day Brahmotsavam festival. Pancha murtis are paraded on various mounts. Adi Purva Phalguni festival for 10 days. Margazhi (Dec-Jan) 1 day Ardra darshan festival. Manikkavasagar utsav for 10 days.