Visited on: 29th September, 2016 and 23rd May, 2017
Location
Keezhai Thirukkattupalli is situated at a distance of about 2 kms from Thiruvenkadu. It is near Alli Vilagam village on the Sirkazhi to Tharangkambadi route. From Sirkazhi, this place is at a distance of about 10 kms.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are –
Thiruvenkadu, Thiruppallavaneecharam (Poompuhar), Thiruchaikkadu, Thiru Valampuram, Thirukkalikkamur (Annappan Pettai), Pariyal Veerattam, Thiruchempon Palli, Thiru Nani Palli, Thiru Nintriyur, Thiru Kadaimudi (Keezhur), Thalaichangadu, Aakkur, Thirukkadaiyur and Thirukkadaiyur Mayanam.
General Information
- Moolavar
- Sri Aranya Sundareswarar
- Ambal
- Sri Akilandeswari
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Amirtha, Poigai Theertham
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Panneer flower tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-1
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 12th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This west facing temple has a single corridor. It does not have a main tower (Rajagopuram) but in its place there is a small and beautiful arch.
- The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 24.01.2007.
History of the Temple
This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).




Legend
The legend of this temple revolves around the demon Visvarupan. It is believed that Lord Indra killed him after he was found to be terrorising the devas (celestial gods). Visvarupan’s father Dhuvatta performed a yagna and created another demon called Vruthirasuran to kill Indra. Indra obtained a weapon called “Vajrayudham” from Sage Thatheesi and destroyed Vruthirasuran. Due to the sins accrued by these killings, Indra lost his position as the head of the celestial gods. He was also inflicted with “Brahmahathi Dosham”. Indra sought the advice of Lord Brahma who asked him to come to this place and worship Lord Shiva. Indra came here and worshiped the lord and was absolved of his sins. He was also restored to his position.
Lord Brahma is believed to have created 10 Shivalingams here and worshiped Lord Shiva. These lingams are called - Muniyesar, Brahmesar, Agastheeswarar, Pulastheeswarar, Vyakrapatheswarar, Sakreswarar and Kapaleeswarar. They can be seen in the corridors. It is believed that worshiping Lord Brahmesar here would yield the same benefit as performing 100 “Aswametha Yagnas”.
It is believed that a Gandharva (musicians to the celestial gods) was cursed by a sage to become a crab (“Nandu” in Tamil). To seek relief from this curse, he visited this place and worshiped Lord Vinayakar. Lord Vinayakar answered his prayers and he was restored back to his original form. Hence this Vinayakar is praised as “Sri Karkata Maha Ganapathy” and “Sri Nandu Vinayakar” (“Karkata” and “Nandu” means crab). This Vinayakar can be seen with a crab as his mount in place of his usual mouse.
It is also believed that Sages Mahakala and Aranya worshiped the lord here. There are reliefs in the outer wall of the sanctum depicting both of them. Sage Mahakala is shown blowing a conch and Sage Aranya is shown performing pooja to Lord Shiva.




Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan, Bairavar, Suryan and Saneeswarar can be seen in the corridors.
In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Dakshinamurthy and Chandikeswarar can be seen.
There is no Navagraham in this temple.








Salient Features
This temple is once believed to have been in the middle of a jungle (“Aaranyam” and “Kaadu” in Tamil). Hence Lord Shiva here is also praised as Sri Aranyeswarar (“Sri Kaattazhagar in Tamil).
The significance of this temple is that one can worship both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy by standing at one place.
Lord Dakshinamurthy is praised here as “Sri Rajayoga Dakshinamurthy” and is seen with 6 disciples instead of his usual 4 disciples. They are Sanakar, Sanathanar, Sananthanar, Sanathkumarar, Lord Brahma and Lord Mahavishnu.
In the “Dasalingam” shrine there are 7 Shivalingams. In one of the Shivalingam’s base, there are two lingams (Banams). This is quite unique.




There are four Theerthams (tank) associated with this temple. They are located on the four corners of this temple.
The architecture of this temple is such that one can hear the sound of the sea waves near Lord Dakshinamurthy’s shrine. The surprising fact is that the sea is more than 6 kms away from here.
Greatness of this temple
It is believed that those who have lost wealth, power or position can recover them by worshiping Lord Shiva here.
Important Festivals
Some of the festivals celebrated in this temple are -
Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept).
Skanda Sashti in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct-Nov),
Arudra Dharisanam in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), and
Maha Shivarathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).
Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Temple Timings
From 08.30 AM to 11.00 AM and 06.00 PM to 07.30 PM.
Temple Address
Sri Aranya Sundareswarar Temple,
Keezhai Thirukattupalli-Post,
Thiruvengadu-Via,
Sirkazhi-Taluk,
Nagapattinam District,
Tamil Nadu – 609 114.
Tele: +91- 4364 - 256 273, 94439 85770, 98425 93244.












