Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
Courtyard with colourful shrine towers, a flagstaff and a pillared hall under a clear sky
Swayambu

Thiruchopuram Sri Mangalapureeswarar Temple

Darshan today8:30 am – 11:00 am, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Moolavar
Mangalapureeswarar, Thiruchchopuranathaswamy
Ambal
Saththiyaya Dakshi, Velnedunganni, Thiyavalli, Chopura Nayaki
Theertham
Chopuratheertham, Brahmatheertham (Sea)
Sthala vriksham
Kondrai Tree
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

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

Moolavar
Sri Mangalapureeswarar, Sri Thiruchchopuranathaswamy
Ambal
Sri Saththiyaya Dakshi, Sri Velnedunganni, Sri Thiyavalli, Sri Chopura Nayaki
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Kondrai Tree
Theertham (Holy water)
Chopuratheertham, Brahmatheertham (Sea)
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and is the 6th 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).

Stone gateway with a hanging bell on a small tower above, and a Nandhi on the wall

Legend

It is believed that Agasthiya Maharishi installed and worshiped this lingam and his palm prints can still be seen on the deity.

According to legend, this temple was once completely covered by sand dunes. About two hundred years ago, a saint by the name of saint, Ramalinga Yogi (Thambiran) from the Madurai Thirugnanasambanthar Aatheenam discovered this temple. He took the help of many people from nearby villages and began the arduous task of renovating this temple. This is why the temple is also called “Thambiran Kanda Koil” (the temple found by Thambiran).

Another version of the story is that this temple was renovated by the Chola King Kulothungan and his wife, Thiyagavalli. Hence the village around this temple is named “Cholarpuram” and “Thiyagavalli”. Idols of the king and queen can also be found in the corridors of the temple.

Tall copper-coloured flagstaff beside a gateway, with a shrine tower beyond the wall
Two black stone idols wrapped in white cloth in the corner of a corridor
Painted shrine tower with white bulls and standing figures above a stone wall

Deities in the temple

Shrines and idols of Lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar, Gajalakshmi, Visalakshi and Viswanathar, Veerateswarar, Kannappa Nayanar, Chola king and Thiyagavalli, 63 Nayanmars, Dakshinamurthy, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Agasthiar, Suryan, Bairavar and Navagraham can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.

Black stone Vinayakar in a wall niche, with a white cloth and lit oil lamps
Dark shrine doorway with a name board for Murugan, with two consorts, and blue iron gates
Small shrine with a name board and an idol covered in a gold cloth
Long pillared corridor with a row of small black idols along the wall

Salient Features

The lord here is called Sri Mangalapureeswarar because it is believed that Goddess Parvathi became one with the Lingam when Agasthya Maharishi installed it. This is the reason why, unlike regular offerings made to Lord Shiva, turmeric and kumkum are used in the worship of this Lord. Both these offerings are usually made to the goddess and are considered very auspicious (“Mangalam” in Tamil).

Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious.

It is significant to note that instead of the normal practice of dressing Lord Dakshinamurthy in yellow clothes, a white cloth is used in this temple. It is said that if we gently tap on the idol of Dakshinamurthy, the sound of seven musical notes - reverently called “Sapthaswaram”, can be heard.

Black stone Dakshinamurthy in a niche, dressed in a yellow cloth and garlanded

Greatness of this Temple

This temple is also popular with students interested in arts and music. They come here to perform poojas and seek the blessings of Lord Dakshinamurthy to help them attain excellence in their chosen art forms.

People with problems related to marriage and health can be seen making offerings of kumkum and turmeric to Lord Mangalapureeswarar.

Important Festivals

Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar), Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct-Nov) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) are the important festivals celebrated in this temple.

Temple Timings

From 08.30 AM to 11.00 AM and from 05.30 PM to 08.00 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Mangalapureeswarar (Chopuranathar) Temple,
Tiruchopuram,
Thiyagavalli-Post,
Cuddalore Taluk and District
Tamil Nadu – 608 801.
Telephone: +91 94425 85845.

Courtyard with colourful shrine towers, a flagstaff and a pillared hall under a clear sky
Carved stone wheels and remains of a car beside a brick tower, near a road

This temple's Ther (Car) - in a dilapidated condition

*
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Today8:30 am – 11:00 am, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone+91 94425 85845

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

Turmeric and kumkum for the Lord

Unlike the usual offerings to Lord Shiva, turmeric and kumkum are used here, because Goddess Parvathi is believed to have become one with the Lingam.

  1. Sri MangalapureeswararThe lord is called Mangalapureeswarar because Parvathi became one with the Lingam when Agasthya Maharishi installed it.
  2. Darshan of the TrimurthysMahavishnu and Brahma stand in worship beside Lingothbavar, so devotees see all three lords together.
  3. Dakshinamurthy in whiteA white cloth is used for Dakshinamurthy instead of the usual yellow, and tapping the idol is said to sound the Sapthaswaram.
Significance

A Paadal Petra Sthalam sung by Thirugnanasambanthar

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar sang his Pathigam here, and the temple is built close to the shore of the Bay of Bengal.

  1. In Nadu NaaduThis is the 6th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu among the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
  2. Built by ThiyagavalliThe temple is believed to have been built by Thiyagavalli, wife of the Chola King Kulothungan.
  3. Installed by Agasthiya MaharishiAgasthiya Maharishi is believed to have installed and worshiped this lingam; his palm prints can still be seen.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for marriage and health, and students of arts and music come to seek the blessings of Dakshinamurthy.

  1. For marriage and healthPeople with problems related to marriage and health offer kumkum and turmeric to Lord Mangalapureeswarar.
  2. For excellence in arts and musicStudents of arts and music perform poojas and seek the blessings of Lord Dakshinamurthy to attain excellence.
The temple courtyard and shrines
276Paadal Petra Sthalams

One of 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams

Legends of the temple

Agasthiya Maharishi installed and worshiped this lingam, and his palm prints can still be seen on the deity.

The temple was once covered by sand dunes, found by Ramalinga Yogi (Thambiran) and renovated with the help of villagers.

Another version says the Chola King Kulothungan and his wife Thiyagavalli renovated the temple.

What devotees pray for

  • Marriage and healthOfferings of kumkum and turmeric are made to Lord Mangalapureeswarar.
  • Arts and musicStudents seek the blessings of Lord Dakshinamurthy for excellence in their chosen art forms.

Marriage, health and excellence in the arts.

The Chola king and queen

  1. King KulothunganThe Chola King Kulothungan, also known as Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi, is linked with the temple's renovation.
  2. Queen ThiyagavalliHis wife Thiyagavalli is believed to have built the temple; the village is named after her.

The temple is linked with a Chola king and his wife, whose idols are in the corridors.

Saints and sages

  1. Agasthiya MaharishiInstalled and worshiped the lingam here.
  2. Ramalinga Yogi (Thambiran)A saint from the Madurai Thirugnanasambanthar Aatheenam who found the temple and began its renovation.
  3. Saint ThirugnanasambantharVisited this temple and sang a Pathigam here.

Saints and sages linked with this temple.

Festivals through the year

    Maha Shivrathri, Thirukarthikai, Annabishekam and Panguni Uthiram are the important festivals.

    Deities

    The deities of this temple

    * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

    From the sanctum to the corridors
    Moolavarம
    Moolavar

    Sri Mangalapureeswarar

    Also called Sri Thiruchchopuranathaswamy. Lord Shiva graces this temple as a Swayambhumoorthy (self-manifested).

    Ambalச
    Ambal

    Sri Saththiyaya Dakshi

    Also called Sri Velnedunganni, Sri Thiyavalli and Sri Chopura Nayaki.

    Black stone Vinayakar in a wall niche, with a white cloth and lit oil lamps
    Shrine in the corridor

    Vinayakar

    Shrines and idols of Lord Vinayakar can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.

    Dark shrine doorway with a name board for Murugan, with two consorts, and blue iron gates
    Shrine in the corridor

    Murugan with his consorts

    Shrines and idols of Murugan with his consorts can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.

    Small shrine with a name board and an idol covered in a gold cloth
    Shrine in the corridor

    Gajalakshmi

    Shrines and idols of Gajalakshmi can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.

    Black stone Dakshinamurthy in a niche, dressed in a yellow cloth and garlanded
    Shrine in the corridor

    Dakshinamurthy

    A white cloth is used for Dakshinamurthy in this temple, instead of the normal yellow clothes.

    Long pillared corridor with a row of small black idols along the wall
    Shrine in the corridor

    63 Nayanmars

    Shrines and idols of the 63 Nayanmars can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.

    Visit & map

    Sacred geography
    Thiruchopuram Thiruthinai Nagar Thirumanikkuzhi Thiruvetkalam, Chidambaram Thirunelvayil, Chidambaram Mahendirapalli Nallur Perumanam Thiruthuraiyur Thiru Vadukur Thiru Koodalaiyatrur Thiru Naaraiyur Thirunavalur
    You are hereThis temple

    Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

    12a6a12p6p
    Darshan today8:30 am – 11:00 am, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
    8:30 – 11:005:30 – 8:00 pm

    Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

    Plan the day around it

    Address and phone

    Sri Mangalapureeswarar (Chopuranathar) Temple, Tiruchopuram, Thiyagavalli-Post, Cuddalore Taluk and District, Tamil Nadu – 608 801. This temple's Ther (Car) - in a dilapidated condition

    +91 94425 85845

    *

    A day of darshan nearby

    5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 86.7 km in straight lines.

    Map of Thiruchopuram and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Thiruthinai Nagar, Thirumanikkuzhi, Thiruvadhigai, Thiruvetkalam, Chidambaram, Thirunelvayil, Chidambaram. Thirukkazhippalai, Chidambaram · 27.4 km Mahendirapalli · 28.6 km Thiruthuraiyur · 32.3 km Thiru Koodalaiyatrur · 36.4 km Thiruchopuram 1 Thiruthinai Nagar 2 Thirumanikkuzhi 3 Thiruvadhigai 4 Thiruvetkalam, Chidambaram 5 Thirunelvayil, Chidambaram 20 km N
    Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

    Temple plan

    Stone gateway with a hanging bell on a small tower above, and a Nandhi on the wall
    01

    West gate

    Thiruchopuram (Thiyagavalli) is situated about 18 kms from Cuddalore on the Cuddalore to Chidambaram route.

    1 / 6

    Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

    Pathigam

    Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

    Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

    V. Muthukumaraswamy

    Saint Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 11.

    Veṅkaṇāṉai yīrurivai pōrthu viḷaṅkumozhi
    maṅkaipākam vaithukantha māṇpatu veṉṉaikolāṅg
    kaṅkaiyōṭu thiṅkaḷsūṭik kaṭikama zhuṅgkoṉṟaith
    thoṅkalāṉē thūyanītṟāy chōpura mēyavaṉē

    The verse wonders at the Lord of Chopuram, who wraps himself in the hide of a fierce elephant and keeps the Lady as half of himself. It asks what greatness this is. He wears the Ganga, the moon and a fragrant garland of konrai flowers, and bears pure ash.

    Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

    Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

    All eleven verses

    1. 01

      வெங்கண்ஆனை யீருரிவை போர்த்து விளங்குமொழிமங்கைபாகம் வைத்துகந்த மாண்பது வென்னைகொலாங்கங்கையோடு திங்கள்சூடிக் கடிகம ழுங்கொன்றைத்தொங்கலானே தூயநீற்றாய் சோபுர மேயவனே

      Veṅkaṇāṉai yīrurivai pōrthu viḷaṅkumozhi / maṅkaipākam vaithukantha māṇpatu veṉṉaikolāṅg / kaṅkaiyōṭu thiṅkaḷsūṭik kaṭikama zhuṅgkoṉṟaith / thoṅkalāṉē thūyanītṟāy chōpura mēyavaṉē

    2. 02

      விடையமர்ந்து வெண்மழுவொன் றேந்திவி ரிந்திலங்குசடையொடுங்கத் தண்புனலைத் தாங்கிய தென்னைகொலாங்கடையுயர்ந்த மும்மதிலுங் காய்ந்தன லுள்ளழுந்தத்தொடைநெகிழ்ந்த வெஞ்சிலையாய் சோபுர மேயவனே

      Viṭaiyamarnthu veṇmazhuvoṉ tṟēntivi rinthilaṅku / saṭaiyoṭuṅgkath thaṇpuṉalaith thāṅkiya theṉṉaikolāṅg / kaṭaiyuyarntha mum'matiluṅg kāynthaṉa luḷḷazhunthath / thoṭainekizhntha veñchilaiyāy chōpura mēyavaṉē

    3. 03

      தீயராய வல்லரக்கர் செந்தழ லுள்ளழுந்தச்சாயவெய்து வானவரைத் தாங்கிய தென்னைகாலாம்பாயும்வெள்ளை ஏற்றையேறிப் பாய்புலித் தோலுடுத்ததூயவெள்ளை நீற்றினானே சோபுர மேயவனே

      Thīyarāya vallarakkar senthazha luḷḷazhunthach / chāyaveythu vāṉavaraith thāṅkiya theṉṉaikālām / pāyumveḷḷai ētṟaiyēṟip pāypulith thōluṭutha / thūyaveḷḷai nītṟiṉāṉē chōpura mēyavaṉē

    4. 04

      பல்லிலோடு கையிலேந்திப் பல்கடை யும்பலிதேர்ந்தல்லல்வாழ்க்கை மேலதான ஆதர வென்னைகொலாம்வில்லைவென்ற நுண்புருவ வேல்நெடுங் கண்ணியொடுந்தொல்லையூழி யாகிநின்றாய் சோபுர மேயவனே

      Pallilōṭu kaiyilēnthip palkaṭai yumpalithērnth / thallalvāzhkkai mēlathāṉa āthara veṉṉaikolām / villaiveṉtṟa nuṇpuruva vēlneṭuṅg kaṇṇiyoṭunth / thollaiyūzhi yākiniṉtṟāy chōpura mēyavaṉē

    5. 05

      நாற்றமிக்க கொன்றைதுன்று செஞ்சடை மேல்மதியம்ஏற்றமாக வைத்துகந்த காரண மென்னைகொலாம்ஊற்றமிக்க காலன்றன்னை ஒல்க வுதைத்தருளித்தோற்றமீறு மாகிநின்றாய் சோபுர மேயவனே

      Nātṟamikka koṉṟaithuṉtṟu cheñchaṭai mēlmathiyam / ētṟamāka vaithukantha kāraṇa meṉṉaikolām / ūtṟamikka kālaṉtṟaṉṉai olka vuthaitharuḷith / thōtṟamīṟu mākiniṉtṟāy chōpura mēyavaṉē

    6. 06

      கொன்னவின்ற மூவிலைவேல் கூர்மழு வாட்படையன்பொன்னைவென்ற கொன்றைமாலை சூடும்பொற் பென்னைகொலாம்அன்னமன்ன மென்னடையாள் பாக மமர்ந்தரைசேர்துன்னவண்ண ஆடையினாய் சோபுர மேயவனே

      Koṉṉaviṉtṟa mūvilaivēl kūrmazhu vāṭpaṭaiyaṉ / poṉṉaiveṉtṟa koṉtṟaimālai chūṭumpoṟ peṉṉaikolām / aṉṉamaṉṉa meṉṉaṭaiyāḷ pāka mamarntharaisēr / thuṉṉavaṇṇa ādaiyiṉāy chōpura mēyavaṉē

    7. 07

      குற்றமின்மை யுண்மைநீயென் றுன்னடி யார்பணிவார்கற்றல்கேள்வி ஞானமான காரண மென்னைகொலாம்வற்றலாமை வாளரவம் பூண்டயன் வெண்டலையில்துற்றலான கொள்கையானே சோபுர மேயவனே

      Kutṟamiṉmai yuṇmainīyeṉ tṟuṉṉaṭi yārpaṇivār / katṟalkēḷvi gñāṉamāṉa kāraṇa meṉṉaikolām / vatṟalāmai vāḷaravam pūṇṭayaṉ veṇṭalaiyil / thutṟalāṉa koḷkaiyāṉē chōpura mēyavaṉē

    8. 08

      விலங்கலொன்று வெஞ்சிலையாக் கொண்டு விறலரக்கர்குலங்கள்வாழும் ஊரெரித்த கொள்கையி தென்னைகொலாம்இலங்கைமன்னு வாளவுணர் கோனை யெழில்விரலால்துலங்கவூன்றி வைத்துகந்தாய் சோபுர மேயவனே

      Vilaṅkaloṉtṟu veñchilaiyāk koṇṭu viṟalarakkar / kulaṅkaḷvāzhum ūreritha koḷkaiyi theṉṉaikolām / ilaṅkaimaṉṉu vāḷavuṇar kōṉai yezhilviralāl / thulaṅkavūṉtṟi vaithukantāy chōpura mēyavaṉē

    9. 09

      விடங்கொள்நாக மால்வரையைச் சுற்றி விரிதிரைநீர்கடைந்தநஞ்சை யுண்டுகந்த காரண மென்னைகொலாம்இடந்துமண்ணை யுண்டமாலு மின்மலர் மேலயனுந்தொடர்ந்துமுன்னங் காணமாட்டாச் சோபுர மேயவனே

      Viṭaṅkoḷnāka mālvaraiyaich chutṟi virithirainīr / kaṭainthanañchai yuṇṭukantha kāraṇa meṉṉaikolām / idanthumaṇṇai yuṇṭamālu miṉmalar mēlayaṉunth / thoṭarnthumuṉṉaṅg kāṇamāṭṭāch chōpura mēyavaṉē

    10. 10

      புத்தரோடு புன்சமணர் பொய்யுரை யேரைத்துப்பித்தராகக் கண்டுகந்த பெற்றிமை யென்னைகொலாம்மத்தயானை யீருரிவை போர்த்து வளர்சடைமேல்துத்திநாகஞ் சூடினானே சோபுர மேயவனே

      Putharōṭu puṉsamaṇar poyyurai yēraithup / pitharākak kaṇṭukantha petṟimai yeṉṉaikolām / mathayāṉai yīrurivai pōrthu vaḷarsaṭaimēl / thuthinākañch chūṭiṉāṉē chōpura mēyavaṉē

    11. 11

      சோலைமிக்க தண்வயல்சூழ் சோபுர மேயவனைச்சீலமிக்க தொல்புகழார் சிரபுரக் கோன்நலத்தான்ஞாலம்மிக்க தண்டமிழான் ஞானசம் பந்தன்சொன்னகோலம்மிக்க மாலைவல்லார் கூடுவர் வானுலகே

      The last verse names Gnana Sambandhan of Sirapuram as the singer, and says that those who master this garland of verses will reach the world of the celestials.

      Chōlaimikka thaṇvayalchūzh chōpura mēyavaṉaich / chīlamikka tholpukazhār chirapurak kōṉnalathāṉ / gñālam'mikka thaṇṭamizhāṉ gñāṉasam banthaṉchoṉṉa / kōlam'mikka mālaivallār kūṭuvar vāṉulakē

    Photos

    Photographs

    12 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

    Courtyard with colourful shrine towers, a flagstaff and a pillared hall under a clear sky
    Stone gateway with a hanging bell on a small tower above, and a Nandhi on the wall
    Tall copper-coloured flagstaff beside a gateway, with a shrine tower beyond the wall
    Two black stone idols wrapped in white cloth in the corner of a corridor
    Painted shrine tower with white bulls and standing figures above a stone wall
    Black stone Vinayakar in a wall niche, with a white cloth and lit oil lamps
    Dark shrine doorway with a name board for Murugan, with two consorts, and blue iron gates
    Small shrine with a name board and an idol covered in a gold cloth
    Long pillared corridor with a row of small black idols along the wall
    Black stone Dakshinamurthy in a niche, dressed in a yellow cloth and garlanded
    Courtyard with colourful shrine towers, a flagstaff and a pillared hall under a clear sky
    Carved stone wheels and remains of a car beside a brick tower, near a road