the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

As per the sthala purana of this temple, Saint Sundarar came to this temple after visiting Thiruvennainallur. Thiruvennainallur is where he is believed to have rendered his first hymn and been bestowed with sainthood. On his way to this temple, he was unable to cross the river Thenpennai. He prayed to the lord for his help in crossing the river. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi appeared before him in the form of an old couple and helped him cross the river on a reef boat (Odam). After crossing the river, the old couple disappeared and there was a divine voice that directed him to this temple. This story is believed to be the origin of the name Kizhappakkam. When Sundarar looked towards this temple, he is believed to have seen Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy on their bull mount (Rishaba Vakanam). A beautiful sculpture depicting this dharisanam can be seen on top of the entrance hall. There is also a relief in a pillar that depicts Sundarar crossing the river Pennai on a reef boat. It is believed that in this temple Saint Sundarar was blessed with spiritual powers by Lord Shiva. This was witnessed by Lord Vinayakar. Since Lord Shiva is believed to have taught the rules and principles of penance (Thava Neri and Arumaraikal), as a guru, the lord here is praised as Shista Guru Natheswarar. Prior to this, the lord was known as Sri Pasupatheeswarar and the Goddess was known as Sri Poongothai Nayaki.The significance of this temple is that Lord Vinayakar is facing the east, Lord Shiva is facing the west, Lord Murugan is facing the south and the Goddess Parvathi is facing the north. Since the four main deities are facing different directions, this temple is considered very unique and auspicious. Thiruthuraiyur is the first temple where Sundarar rendered his hymn after obtaining sainthood at Thiruvennainallur. Before this he had rendered a hymn at his birth place Thirunavalur. In his hymn of this temple, saint Sundarar can be seen pleading with the lord to teach him the principles of penance. Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. It is said that Suryan is worshiping the Lord here during the first week of Tamil month Chithirai (April-May) by directing his rays on the lingam in the evenings. There is a famous shrine for Ashtapuja Pathrakali (Kali with eight hands) outside this temple. There is also another shrine for Lord Shiva at Kizhappakkam (a place near this temple). This is the birth place of Saint Arul Nandhi Sivachariyar, popularly known as Sakalakama Pandithar. He is the second of the four Santhana Kuravarkal and has written the famous treatises on sastra - Shivagnana Sidhiyar and Iruba Irubadu. There is a separate shrine at his place of burial (Gurumurtham).

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 15th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. This west facing temple has no main tower (Raja Gopuram) and has one corridor. This is the birth place of Saint Arul Nandhi Sivachariyar - one of the four Santhana Kuravarkal. From Sundarar’s hymn of this temple it is known that during his period the river was flowing on northern side of the temple, but now it flows on the opposite side. The historical name of this place is Thiruthuraiyur but it is now known as Thiruthalur.As p er the stone inscriptions, this village was earlier called Rajaraja Valanattuth Thirumunaippadi Thiruthuraiyur. The lord here is named Thava Neri Aludaiyar.

10-day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Skanda Sashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November), and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) are the important festivals celebrated in this temple. Pradosham is also observed regularly.