Temples In Nadu Naadu

Visited on: Saturday, 17^th September, 2016

Location

Thiruvamathur is located at a distance of about 8 kms from Villupuram on the Villupuram to Gingee route.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvennainallur, Thiruthuraiyur, Thiruvathigai, Thirumundeecharam, T.Idaiyaru and Thirunavalur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 21^st Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• Lord Shiva’s idol has the impression of a hoof at the top. There are multiple rivulet markings which signify that this lord was worshiped with milk that flowed from udders of cows.
• Inscribed on the chest of Goddess Muthambikai’s idol here is a small piece of what looks like a snake’s tail.
• There are two separate temples here. Goddess Muthambikai’s temple is right in front of Lord Shiva’s temple.
• Lord Shiva’s temple has a 7-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) with 2 corridors while the goddess’s temple has a 5-tiered main tower with a single corridor.
• This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
• Vannacharabam Sri Dandapani Swamigal lived in this place.
• The first “Kaumara Madam” was established here.

History of the Temple

Thiruvamathur is located on the banks of the Pampa river, a tributary of the Pennai river. The historical names of this place are – Gomathrupuram, Gomatheeswaram and Gomathupuram. 

This temple was originally built by the Pallava rulers. Later on, the Cholas made several endowments. This is evident from the stone inscriptions available here. At a later date, Achutha Deva Pallavar is believed to have renovated this temple. There is an idol of Achutha Deva Pallavar here.

In this temple, there are stone inscriptions that document the histories of 26 kings from 955 to 1584 AD. The important kings among them are Rajaraja Cholan-I, Rajendra Cholan-I, Rajathi Rajan-I, Kulothungan-I, Vikramathithan, Sadaya Verman, Vikrama Pandian and Krishnadeva Rayar.

The stone inscriptions also reveal that a Chola king sanctioned a grant that helped several blind students learn the devaram hymns and sing them in the temples.

Visited on: Sunday, 18^th September, 2016.

Location 

Thirunavalur is situated at a distance of about 28 kms from Villupuram. On the Villupuram to Trichy National Highway (bypass), at the Gadilam junction, there is an overbridge. Take the service road under this bridge to get on to the Panruti road. Continue on this road further for about 3 kms to reach this temple.

The temple is 12 kms from Panruti on the Panruti to Ulundoorpettai road and it is 15 kms from Ulundoorpettai. 

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvamathur, Thiruthuraiyur, Thiruvathigai, Thirumundeecharam, T.Idaiyaru and Thiruvennainallur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 8^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) who is believed to have appeared in the midst of Jambu trees (Naaval).
• This is the birth place of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, one of the four great Saints (Nalvar) and one of the 63 Nayanmars.
• This temple’s entrance has a 5- tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors.

History of the Temple

Thirunavalur is situated in the erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu and is in between the rivers Gadilam and Pennai. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest one and is said to have existed here even before the 4 yugas. This temple was earlier called “Thiruthondeecharam” and the place around it was called Thirunavalur and Jambunathapuri. However, it is now called Thirunamanallur.

As per the stone inscriptions available in this temple, the Chola king Rajathithan, son of Paranthakan-I, renovated and expanded this temple.

Visited on: 18^th September, 2016 and 15^th December, 2016

Location 

Thirumanikkuzhi is situated at a distance of about 10 kms from Cuddalore and about 5 kms from Thiruvahindrapuram on the Cuddalore to Panruti (via Palur) route. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 17^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• It is said that this temple is the first among the 1008 renowned Shiva temples.
• This east facing temple has three corridors (Prakarams) with a 5-tier main tower (Rajagopuram).
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 28.10.2012. 

History of the Temple

The temple is situated on the southern banks of river Gadilam and at the foothill of the Capper hills. It is believed that this temple was renovated by the ancient emperors Thirisangu and Harichandra. It was also improved during the time of the Chola kings. The historical names of this place are Vamanapuri, Indiralogam and Bheemasangama Kshetram.

Visited on: Sunday, 18^th September, 2016

Location

Thiruthuraiyur is situated at a distance of about 10 kms from Panruti on the Villupuram to Panruti route. From Villupuram it is about 20 kms and from Cuddalore it is about 32 kms.

There is a railway station here on the Villupuram to Cuddalore railway line. This temple is about 3 kms away from there.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 15^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• 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".

History of the Temple

The temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Pennai / Malattaru. 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 per the stone inscriptions, this village was earlier called “Rajaraja Valanattuth Thirumunaippadi Thiruthuraiyur”.  The lord here is named “Thava Neri Aludaiyar”.

Visited on:16^th December, 2016

Location

Neivanai is located at a distance of about 15 kms from Ulunthurpet on the Ulundurpet to Thiruvennainallur route via Adanur.

Ulunthurpet is about 45 kms from Villupuram on the Villupuram to Trichy bypass route. Also, Ulunthurpet is about 21 kms from Virudhachalam.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 10^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This temple has no main tower (Rajagopuram) and Dwajasthambam (flag post). It has a single corridor.

History of the Temple

This is one of the ancient temples of the erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu. There are stone inscriptions in this temple dating back to the period of the Chola King Kulothungan-I. The lord’s name is inscribed as “Sri Porkudam Kodutharulia Nayanar” meaning “the lord who gifted a pot full of gold”.

Visited on: Sunday, September 18, 2016

Location

Thiru Mundeecharam is situated at a distance of about 17 kms from Villupuram on the Villupuram to Thirukkovilur route.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are –

Thiruvennainallur, T.Idaiyaru, Thiruvamathur, Puravar Panangkattur, Thirunavalur, Thiruvathigai Veerattanam and Thiruthuraiyur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 19^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This east facing temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• The flag post (Dwajasthambam) was installed recently.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 10.09.2006.

History of the Temple

This temple is located on the southern bank of the Malattaru (Pennai river), now known as Malattaar. As per the stone inscriptions available in this temple, this place was once the capital of Mudiyur Nadu.

Also, these stone inscriptions reveal that this place was once called “Mouli Gramam” (“Mouli” means chieftain and “gramam” means village in Tamil). However, over a period of time, this was shortened to just Gramam.

Visited on: Sunday, 18^th September, 2016

Location

Thiru Idaiyaru is at a distance of about 35 kms from Villupuram on the Villupuram to Thirukovilur route (via Thiruvennainallur).

Another nearby Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam is Thiruvennainallur which is at a distance of about 5 kms.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is a west facing temple and its main tower (Rajagopurm) has 3-tiers.
• There is no flag post (dwajasthambam) in this temple.
• This is the birth place of the saivite guru Marai Gnana Sambandar. 

History of the Temple

The temple is located between the rivers South Pennai and Malattaru, on the southern banks of Pennai river. The historical name of this place is “Thiru Maruthanthurai”.  This ancient temple is believed to have been constructed during the time of the Chola dynasty. There are 18 stone inscriptions belonging to the Chola, Pandiyas, Vijayanagar and Chalukiyas periods.

Visited on: 17^th September, 2016 and 16^th December, 2016

Location

Thiruvadukur is at a distance of about 22 kms from Pondicherry on the Pondicherry to Villupuram route. From Villupuram it is about 20 kms.

Nearest railway station is Chinnababu Samudram (4 kms) on the Villupuram to Pondicherry railway line.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• The lord of this temple, Lord Vadukeeswarar is slightly leaning towards the left side.
• There is no flag post (Dwajasthambam) in this temple.
• This east facing temple’s main tower is not tiered. In place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.

History of the Temple

This temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Paranthakan-I. It is constructed in a style that is similar to that of Tanjore temple but it is much smaller in size. 

The historical name of this place is Vadukur and that of the temple is Andarkoil. However, over a period of time, this place’s name has been changed to Thiru Andarkoil.  

Currently, this temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India, Department of Culture, Government of India..

Visited on: 23^rd July, 2016 and 5^th November, 2016.

Location

Thiruthinai Nagar is at a distance of about 25 kms from Cuddalore. Take the Cuddalore to Chidambaram route to reach Mettupalayam (20 Kms). From Mettupalayam, take a diversion route and travel for about 5 kms to reach Thiruthinai Nagar.

The nearest railway station is Puduchathiram. It is at a distance of about 6 kms from Thiruthinai Nagar on the Chidambaram to Cuddalore route.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 5th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This east facing temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.

History of the Temple

This temple is situated on the banks of river Pennai and is believed to have been built in the 6^th century. The historical name of the village around the temple is "Thiru Thinai Nagar”. It has now been changed to "Theerthanagiri".

Visited on: July 23, 2016 and November 05, 2016.

Location

Thiruchopuram (Thiyagavalli) is situated at a distance of about 18 kms from Cuddalore on the Cuddalore to Chidambaram route. One has to take left turn near Aalappakkam railway station, pass through the railway crossing and then travel 2 kms along the same route to reach Thiruchopuram (Thiyagavalli village). From Chidambaram it is about 22 kms.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and is the 6^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva graces this temple as a Swayambhumoorthy (self-manifested).
• This west facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) does not have any tiers.

History of the Temple

The temple is very close to the shores of the Bay of Bengal and is believed to have been built by Thiyagavalli, the wife of the Chola King Kulothungan-III (also known as Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi).

Visited on: 10^th March, 2017

Location

Pennadam is at a distance of about 18 kms from Virudachalam on the Virudhachalam to Thittakudi route. It is about 15 kms from Thozhuthur, 23 kms from Srimushnam and 40 kms from Ulunthurpettai.

Another Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near Pennadam is Thiru Nelvayil Arathurai which is about 5 kms from it.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 2^nd Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture.
• This is the birth place of Saint Kalikkamba Nayanar - one of the 63 Nayanmars and Saint Meikandar - the first of the four “Santhana Kuravars”. He is considered a pioneer of Saiva philosophy.
• Saint Marai Ganasambanthar, the third “Santhana Kuravars” is also believed to have lived here.
• The last consecration ceremony took place on 10.05.1989. Before that, the consecration ceremonies were held on 18.03.1981 and 13.07.1973.

Visited on: 10^th March, 2017

Location

Thiruvatathurai is situated at a distance of about 5 Kms from Pennadam on the Pennadam to Thittakudi route. From Thittakkudi it is at a distance of about 9 kms and from Virudhachalam it is about 25 Kms.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 1^st Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
• Saint Thirugnanasambanthar was blessed with Muthu Pallaku, Muthu Kodai and Muthu Chinnam in this temple.
• Sage Vasishtar got the ‘’Raja Rishi’’ title here from Lord Shiva.
• Of the seven Thurai temples, this is the sixth one. Thurai temples are the temples that are situated on the bank of a river and are associated with the Sapta Rishis.
• This temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers and has two corridors.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) was held on 24.03.2011.

Visited on: 10^th March, 2017

Location 

The temple is located in a place called Kizhur or Kizhaiyur in Thirukkoilure. Thirukkoilure is at a distance of about 40 kms from Thiruvannamalai and from Villupuram it is about 37 kms. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 11^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the eight “Veerattana Sthalams” of Lord Shiva.
• In this temple Lord Shiva himself is a Bairavar.
• Both Moolavar and Ambal Shrines are facing west and are built as separate temples.
• Both temples’ main towers (Rajagopuram) have 3-tiers and 2 corridors each.
• Two of the 63 Nayanmars - Saint Meiporul Nayanar and Saint Narasinga Munaiarayar lived in this place.
• This is the birth place of the great Chola King Arunmozhith Devan, popularly known as Raja Raja Cholan; his mother Vaanavan Madevi and Adithya Karikalan.

History of the Temple

The temple is on the southern bank of Pennai river. The historical name of this place is “Andhakapuram”.

Visited on: 10^th March, 2017

Location 

Thiru Arayaninallur temple is located at a distance of about 3 kms from Thirukkovilur on the Villupuram route. It is about 38 kms from Thiruvannamalai and 36 kms from Villupuram. This temple is opposite to the Thirukkoyilur railway station at a distance of about one kilometre from it. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 12^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• The west facing temple has three corridors and its huge (160 feet high) main tower (Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 06.02.2003. 

History of the Temple

The temple is on the southern bank of the river Pennai. It is believed to have been constructed during the 7th century by the Pallava kings. This temple is built on top of a rock (Paarai). The rock and the nearby river bring out the beauty of this temple.

There are two entrances - one through the main road and the other through the river-side which is very scenic.

In Tamil, “Arai (Paarai)” means rock and “Ani” means beauty. Hence, the lord here is named as “Araiani Nathar” – the Lord who is beautifully seated on top of a rock. This place was earlier called “Arayaninallur” and its name has since been changed to Arakandanallur. 

Visited on: 10^th March, 2017

Location

Erukkathampuliyur is situated at a distance of about 7 kms from Sri Mushnam on Virudhachalam to Jayamkondam route. From Virudhachalam it is about 12 kms, from Pennadam 18 kms and from Chidambaram around 50 kms.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 4^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is the birth place of Saint Thiru Neelakanta Yazhpanar.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 02.09.1996.

History of the Temple

Sage Viyakrapathar, also called “Pulikkal Munivar” in Tamil, whose legs are believed to have been like those of a tiger (tiger is puli in Tamil), worshiped the lord here. Also, the Sthala Viruksham of this temple is the white “erukku” (Calotropis) plant, hence this place gets the name “Erukkathampuliyur” (“Atham” means forest in Tamil). Now this village is called as Rajendra Pattinam. 

Visited on: 17^th February, 2017

Location

Kudalaiyatrur is situated at a distance of about 8 km from Sri Mushnam.

It is about 25 kms from Chidambaram on Chidambaram to Sethyathoppu route.

On the Vadalur – Sethyathoppu – Kumbakonam route, after Sethyathoppu, first reach Kumarakudi village and then proceed to Kanur. In Kanur there is an arch for Selliamman Koil and this temple is about one km away from that arch. Another village near this temple is Kavalakudi, which is also about one km away.

Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Erukkathampuliyur (Rajendrapatinam), Thiru Naaraiyur, Thiru Omampuliyur, Thiru Kadampur and Thiru Kanattumullur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 3^rd Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This temple was destroyed by the flooding of Manimuthaaru river and has been reconstructed after that.
• This temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.
• The Moolavar vimanam (shrine of the main deity) has two tiers.
• There is no flag post in this temple.
• The last Consecration ceremony (Kumbhabishekam) took place on 08.02.2015. Prior to this, the consecration ceremony was held on 29.08.1961. 

Visited on: 17^th September, 2016

Location

Panayapuram is at a distance of about 12 kms from Villupuram and 3 kms from Mundiambakkam. It is on the Pondicherry to Mundiambakkam route. The temple is hardly one km away from the Vikravandi tollgate on the Panruti / Kumabakonam route. 

Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near Panayapuram are: Thiruvamathur (13 kms), Thiruthuraiyur (24 kms) and Thirumundeeswaram (Gramam) (29 kms). 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 20^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the few temples that has palm tree is its “sthala viruksham”. 
• This temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 4-tiers.
• The last Consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 02.06.2004 and prior to that in the year 1971. 

History of the Temple

This temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Kulothungan-I.

It is believed that once this place was densely populated with palm trees. This place is called “Puravaar Panangkatur” because “Puravaar” in Tamil means forest and Panangkatur means full of palm trees. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar has also mentioned this place as Puravaar Panankatur in his hyms.

Of the 276 Paadal Petra Shivasthalams, very few temples have Palm tree (Panai) as their Sthala Viruksham. This temple is one of them. They are - Thiru Panaiyur, Thiru Vanparthan Panankattur, Thiru Puravaar Panankattur, Thiru Cheyyar, Thiru Mazhapadi, Thiru Valampuram and Thiruppanandal.

Visited on: 17^th September, 2016

Location 

Kiliyanur is at a distance of about 25 kms from Pondicherry on the Pondicherry to Tindivanam route. After crossing Morattandi, there is a small road on the right going to Kiliyanur village. Travel along that road for about 3 kms to reach the temple. The temple is near the village Brammadesam and at a distance of about one km from Kiliyanur bus stand.

Two more Paadal Petra Sthalam, Arisili and Irumbai Maakaalam are located very near to this place.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 33^rd Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• It is said that this is the last (276^th) Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam that has been identified so far.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• The procession idols (Urchavars) are kept somewhere else for safety reasons as they have been stolen once and later recovered.
• This is a Rahu-Kedu parikara Sthalam.
• There is no flag post (Kodimaram) or main tower (Rajagopuram) in this temple.

History of the Temple

This temple is around 1500 years old and was built in the Chola period. “Killi” is the surname of Chola kings and there are historical references to kings from the Chola period like King Nedungkilli and King Killivalavan. It is possible that this place’s name “Kiliyanur” might have been derived from its connection to the Chola dynasty.

As per the stone inscriptions in the temple, it can be deduced that this temple was first built using bricks and later reconstructed using granite during King Paranthaka Chola-I’s period.