Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
An entrance gateway under an arch with coloured figures of Shiva and Parvathy, a name board and palm trees
Moovar sthalamSwayambu

Thiruchotruthurai Sri Odhanavaneswarar Temple 13th of 129 on the south bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Tanjore

Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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Moolavar
Othanavaneswarar, TholaiyachChelvar, Chotruthurai Nathar, Chorudaiyan, Oppila Chelvar
Ambal
Annapoorani, Oppila Ambigai
Theertham
Surya Theertham, River Cauvery
Sthala vriksham
Panneer flower tree
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar-1,Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-4,Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)-1.

Temple

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 1,400 words · 7 min

Visited on: 20th October, 2018.

Location

Thiru Chotruthurai is situated at a distance of about 6 kms from Kandiyur. Kandiyur is 3 kms away from Thiruvaiyaru on the Thiruvaiyaru to Tanjore route. This place is about 15 kms away from Tanjore.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are –

Thiruvaiyaru, Thiru Neithanam, Thiruppazhanam, Thiru Kandiyur, Thiruvedhikudi, Thiruppunthuruthi and Thiru Alampozhil.

General Information

Moolavar
Sri Othanavaneswarar, Sri TholaiyachChelvar, Sri Chotruthurai Nathar, Sri Chorudaiyan, Sri Oppila Chelvar
Ambal
Sri Annapoorani, Sri Oppila Ambigai
Theertham (Holy water)
Surya Theertham, River Cauvery
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Panneer flower tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-1,
Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-4,
Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)-1.
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • This is one of the Saptha Sthana temples of Thiruvaiyaru.
  • 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.
  • This east facing temple has no main tower (Rajagopuram). In place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy seated on a bull.
  • There is a 3-tiered tower at the second entrance. The temple has two corridors.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Kudamurutti.

There are some stone inscriptions which date back to the periods of many Chola kings like Adhithan-I, Paranthakan, Rajarajan, Rajakesari Varman, Konerinmai Kondan and Kulothungan. In these inscriptions, the name of the lord is mentioned as Tholaiyachelvar and Thiru Chotruthurai Nathar.

From these inscriptions, it is known that this temple was renovated by Chola King Adhitha Chola-I.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).

A tall gold-coloured pillar beside a small roofed mandapam, with a coloured tower rising behind the wall
A small blue shrine with a dim idol inside, under a tree in front of a red and white striped wall

Legend

As per Sthala Puranam, during a time of drought, Lord Shiva gave a bowl (“Akshaya Pathiram”) to a devotee couple, Arulalar and his wife, when they pleaded for food. It is believed that the Akshaya Pathiram never ran out of food. The couple fed all the people in their village using food from that bowl. Hence this lord here is praised as “Sri Tholaiyachelvar”, “Sri Chotruthurai Nathar” and “Sri Chorudaiyan”. The goddess is praised as “Sri Annapoorani”. This place gets the name “Chotruthurai”. “Choru” and “annam” both mean food in Tamil. This place is also known as “Annam Vatra sthalam” (“annam” means food, “vatra” means something that never finishes and “sthalam” means place in Tamil). It is believed that this is the second temple where Lord Shiva gave away the “Akshaya Pathiram” to his devotees. The first one being Kasi (Banaras).

It is also believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy gave rice from the surrounding paddy fields to a large number of devotees. Hence these paddy fields are also called “Annam Padaitha Vayal”.

“Choru” not only refers to food but also to the process of obtaining salvation and reaching the abode of Lord Shiva. The lord here is not only providing food to satisfy one’s hunger but also blessing them with salvation. Hence the lord here is also praised as Sri Chotruthurai Nathar (“Sri Othanavaneswarar” in Sanskrit).

It is believed that Sage Gautama, one of the seven rishis (“Saptha Rishis”), stayed here and worshiped Lord Shiva. He attained salvation here and hence this place also gets the name Gautama Ashram.

It is believed that lords Brahma, Mahavishnu, Indra, Suryan, Rishi Gautama, Saints Thirugnanasambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar have worshiped the lord here.

Deities in the temple

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Valanchuzhi Vinayakar, Murugan, Mahavishnu, Natarajar, few procession idols, Nalvars, Lingothbavar, Gautama Maharishi, Iyyanar, Sapthamadhas, few lingams, Vinayakars, Mahalakshmi, Navagraham, Kasi Viswanathar and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the main hall and in the corridor.

Shivalingams representing all the seven Sapthasthana temples and all the five Pancha Bootha sthalams can also be seen in the corridor.

In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai can be seen.

Idols of Arulalar couple (who got the “Akshaya pathiram” from Lord Shiva) can also be seen near the sanctum.

There is a separate temple for Goddess Parvathy in the temple complex. Idols of Vinayakar, Murugan and Mahalakshmi can be seen here.

A long stone hall with rows of pillars and framed pictures, with a lit sanctum at the far end
A doorway into an inner shrine, topped by a coloured sculpture of a seated goddess with attendants
A dark stone idol of Vinayakar draped in an orange shawl and a white cloth, with sandalwood dots
A seated dark stone idol with a red cloth over its shoulders and yellow cloth at the waist, in a niche
A small shrine with a standing idol in an orange cloth, and a board above reading Sri Mahavishnu in Tamil
Four small dark idols in white cloths and flower garlands standing before a flower arch
A seated dark stone idol in a white cloth, with a red board above reading Sri Iyyanar in Tamil
Two dark stone idols in red cloths with a board above them naming the couple who received the Akshaya Pathiram
Two labelled idols against a wall: a carved Lingothbavar on the left and Gautama Maharishi on the right
A row of small dark stone idols dressed in coloured cloths, seated along a stone ledge by a plain wall
A row of black Shivalingams wrapped in white cloths on a stone ledge, with a red board above the wall

Salient Features

The uniqueness of this temple is that Lord Murugan’s shrine is located in the main hall (“Artha Mandapam”). The idol of this Murugan is very big. He is depicted with six heads and twelve hands. This idol looks very beautiful.

In this temple, the shrines of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are facing the east direction. Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva’s shrine. This is considered to symbolise their wedding posture.

In the main hall, there are many stone reliefs. Some of them are - a sage worshiping the lord; a scene of war between two groups; and a beautiful relief of “Sree Kalasamharamurthy”.

A tall dark idol with several faces framed by an arch and rows of lamps, seen through a shrine doorway
A carved stone relief of a many-armed figure on a block, with a board above reading Sri Kalasamharamurthy
A tall stone panel carved in tiers: a figure worshiping a lingam above, then a group scene and a war scene

During the Sapthasthana festival, food is distributed to all the devotees to commemorate the event of Lord Shiva providing meals to the people during drought.

Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Sapthasthanam Festival

Lord Panchanatheeswarar (Sri Iyyarappar) of Thiruvaiyaru decided to conduct the marriage of Nandhi and Suyasambigai at Thirumazhappadi (a nearby place) on the “Punarpoosam” day of the Tamil month of Panguni. He selected the following places to arrange things required for the marriage.

  • Thiruvedhikkudi to get the Vedic Brahmins,
  • Thiruppazhanam to get fruits,
  • Thiruchotruthurai to arrange food,
  • Thirukkandiyur for Kandi (ornaments),
  • Thiruppoonthuruthi for fruits and garlands, and
  • Thiruneithanam (Thillai sthanam) to get ghee for yagnas.

After the marriage, as a gesture of thanks, it is believed that Lord Panchanatheeswarar and Goddess Dharmasamvardhani visited each of these places in a palanquin. This event is celebrated as “Sapthasthanam”.

Sapthasthanam (seven places) festival is celebrated in Thiruvaiyaru on the “Visakam” day (the day after the full moon) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May) every year.

First palanquin (bedecked with mirrors) carrying the principal deities of Thiruvaiyaru go to the second temple in procession. Idols of Nandhi along with his wife Suyasambigai also join this procession. The deities of the second temple receive them at the border of the village. After reaching the second temple and performing certain poojas, they join the second temple’s palanquin to the third temple. Like this, the palanquins from six places are joined together and they finally assemble in Thiru Neithanam temple. Thereafter, all the seven palanquins take part in a procession back to Thiruvaiyaryu.

Thousands of people come from all over the country to witness this marvellous festival. The palanquins are paraded near the car stand (“Ther-adi”). Devotees also take part in the “Poochorithal” (flower festival) in which an idol offers flowers to the principal deities in the palanquins. After the Poochorithal, the palanquins leave for their respective temples.

The seven temples that are part of this Sapthasthanam festival are -

  • Aiyarappar temple, Thiruvaiyaru,
  • Apathsahayeswar Temple, Thirupazhanam,
  • Odhanavaneswarar Temple, Thiruchotruthurai (this temple),
  • Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvedhikudi,
  • Kandeeswarar Temple, Thirukkandiyur,
  • Pushpavananathar Temple, Thirupanthuruthi and
  • Neyyadiappar Temple, Thiru Neithanam.

Greatness of this temple

Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed.

Devotees also believe that by worshiping Lord Shiva here, they will never face starvation and will be blessed with prosperity.

Important Festivals

Sapthasthanam (“ezhur”) festival is celebrated in a grand manner.

Some of the other important festivals celebrated in this temple are –

Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),

Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct),

Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov),

Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),

Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) and

Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 04:30 PM to 08:30 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Odhanavaneswarar Temple,
Thiruchotruthurai Post,
Kandiyur Via,
Thiruvaiyaru Taluk,
Tanjore District,
Tamil Nadu – 613202.

Tele: Sri Kannan, Trustee, at +91 – 9943884377 and Manohar Agora Sivam (Priest) at 8344658671.

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Today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Phone+91 – 9943884377
Devotees stand in a stone hall with a brass lamp stand in the front and a lit sanctum doorway behind
A wide paved courtyard enclosed by pillared stone corridors, with a small domed shrine at the far side
A long stone corridor wall with painted Tamil marks on it and a tiled passage entrance with palms behind
A coloured tower rising behind the corridor wall, with small domed shrines in the foreground
A shrine entrance under a green board naming the Annapoorani Ambal, with the coloured tower on the right
A coloured tiered tower above a red stone base, with small shrines and palm trees around it

Highlights

What makes this temple special

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

Greatness

What makes this temple great

A Murugan shrine in the main hall, shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy side by side, and festival meals for all devotees.

  1. Murugan's shrine in the main hallLord Murugan's shrine is located in the main hall (Artha Mandapam); the idol is very big, with six heads and twelve hands.
  2. Shrines facing east, side by sideBoth shrines face east and Goddess Parvathy's shrine is on the right of Lord Shiva's, which is considered to symbolise their wedding posture.
  3. Stone reliefs in the main hallThe main hall has many stone reliefs, including a sage worshiping the lord and a beautiful relief of Sree Kalasamharamurthy.
  4. Food for all at the festivalDuring the Sapthasthana festival, food is distributed to all the devotees to commemorate Lord Shiva providing meals to the people during drought.
Significance

Its place in the Devara tradition

A Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam sung by all three Moovar, and one of the Saptha Sthana temples of Thiruvaiyaru.

  1. 13th on the southern bankIt is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 13th Shiva Sthalam on the southern bank of the Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.
  2. Sung by the MoovarSaint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) rendered their Pathigams here.
  3. A Saptha Sthana templeThis is one of the Saptha Sthana temples of Thiruvaiyaru.
  4. Worship by manyBrahma, Mahavishnu, Indra, Suryan and Rishi Gautama are among those believed to have worshiped the lord here.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come to remove obstacles from marriage proposals, to be free of starvation and for salvation.

  1. For marriageDevotees believe that worshiping the lord here removes obstacles from their marriage proposals.
  2. To be free of starvationDevotees also believe that by worshiping Lord Shiva here, they will never face starvation and will be blessed with prosperity.
  3. For salvationThe lord here is not only providing food to satisfy one's hunger but also blessing devotees with salvation.
  4. For the Sapthasthana festivalThousands of people come from all over the country to witness this festival, celebrated in Chithirai.
The tower and small shrines in the compound
44Paadal petra sthalams of the Moovar

Sung by all three Moovar

The name Chotruthurai

  1. சோறுfood; also obtaining salvation
  2. அன்னம்food, as in Annam Vatra sthalam
  3. வற்றsomething that never finishes

    Legends of the temple

    During a drought, Lord Shiva gave a bowl to the devotee couple Arulalar and his wife; it never ran out of food and the couple fed all the people in their village.

    Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy gave rice from the surrounding paddy fields to a large number of devotees, so the fields are called Annam Padaitha Vayal.

    Choru refers not only to food but also to obtaining salvation and reaching the abode of Lord Shiva, hence the name Sri Chotruthurai Nathar.

    Sage Gautama stayed here and worshiped Lord Shiva and attained salvation, hence the place also gets the name Gautama Ashram.

    What devotees pray for

    • MarriageObstacles from marriage proposals are believed to be removed by worshiping the lord here.
    • Freedom from starvation and prosperityDevotees believe they will never face starvation and will be blessed with prosperity.

    Prayers offered at this temple.

    Saints associated with the temple

    1. The MoovarSaint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) rendered their Pathigams here.
    2. Saint ArunagirinadharSang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
    3. Sage GautamaOne of the Saptha Rishis, he stayed here, worshiped Lord Shiva and attained salvation.

    The Moovar sang here, and a thirupugazh saint praised Lord Murugan.

    Chola kings and the temple

    1. Adhitha Chola-IFrom the inscriptions it is known that this temple was renovated by Chola King Adhitha Chola-I.
    2. Paranthakan and RajarajanThe inscriptions date back to the periods of Paranthakan, Rajarajan, Rajakesari Varman and other kings.

    Stone inscriptions date back to the periods of many Chola kings.

    Festivals through the year

      The Sapthasthanam festival is celebrated in a grand manner; Pradosham is also observed regularly.

      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
      Moolavarஓ
      Moolavar

      Sri Othanavaneswarar

      The lord here is praised as Sri Tholaiyachelvar, Sri Chotruthurai Nathar and Sri Chorudaiyan.

      A shrine entrance under a green board naming the Annapoorani Ambal, with the coloured tower on the right
      Ambal

      Sri Annapoorani

      The goddess is praised as Sri Annapoorani.

      A tall dark idol with several faces framed by an arch and rows of lamps, seen through a shrine doorway
      Shrine in the main hall and corridor

      Murugan

      Lord Murugan's shrine is located in the main hall. The idol is very big, depicted with six heads and twelve hands.

      A small shrine with a standing idol in an orange cloth, and a board above reading Sri Mahavishnu in Tamil
      Shrine in the main hall and corridor

      Mahavishnu

      A shrine and idol of Mahavishnu can be seen in the main hall and in the corridor.

      Four small dark idols in white cloths and flower garlands standing before a flower arch
      Shrine in the main hall and corridor

      Nalvars

      Shrines and idols of the Nalvars can be seen in the main hall and in the corridor.

      Two labelled idols against a wall: a carved Lingothbavar on the left and Gautama Maharishi on the right
      Shrine in the main hall and corridor

      Lingothbavar

      A shrine and idol of Lingothbavar can be seen in the main hall and in the corridor.

      Shrine in the main hall and corridorகௌ
      Shrine in the main hall and corridor

      Gautama Maharishi

      A shrine and idol of Gautama Maharishi can be seen in the main hall and in the corridor.

      A seated dark stone idol in a white cloth, with a red board above reading Sri Iyyanar in Tamil
      Shrine in the main hall and corridor

      Iyyanar

      A shrine and idol of Iyyanar can be seen in the main hall and in the corridor.

      Shrine in the main hall and corridorகா
      Shrine in the main hall and corridor

      Kasi Viswanathar

      A shrine and idol of Kasi Viswanathar can be seen in the main hall and in the corridor.

      A row of black Shivalingams wrapped in white cloths on a stone ledge, with a red board above the wall
      Lingams in the corridor

      Shivalingams representing all the seven Sapthasthana temples

      Shivalingams representing all the seven Sapthasthana temples and all the five Pancha Bootha sthalams can also be seen in the corridor.

      Idol in the koshtamத
      Idol in the koshtam

      Dakshinamurthy

      In the koshtam, the place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum, an idol of Dakshinamurthy can be seen.

      Idol in the koshtamஅ
      Idol in the koshtam

      Ardhanareeswarar

      In the koshtam, the place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum, an idol of Ardhanareeswarar can be seen.

      Idol in the koshtamது
      Idol in the koshtam

      Durgai

      In the koshtam, the place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum, an idol of Durgai can be seen.

      Two dark stone idols in red cloths with a board above them naming the couple who received the Akshaya Pathiram
      Idols near the sanctum

      Arulalar couple

      Idols of the Arulalar couple, who got the Akshaya Pathiram from Lord Shiva, can also be seen near the sanctum.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Thiruchotruthurai Thiruppazhanam Thiruvedhikkudi Thenkudi Thittai Thiru Kandiyur Thiru Neithanam Vada Kurangaduthurai Thirukarukavur Thiru Paalaithurai Thiru Peruvelur Thiru Nallur Thiruvaikavur Thiruvalanchuzhi
      You are hereThis temple

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

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
      7:00 – 12:004:30 – 8:30 pm

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

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Odhanavaneswarar Temple, Thiruchotruthurai Post, Kandiyur Via, Thiruvaiyaru Taluk, Tanjore District, Tamil Nadu – 613202.

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 12.5 km in straight lines.

      Map of Thiruchotruthurai and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Thiruppazhanam, Thenkudi Thittai, Thiru Neithanam, Thiru Kandiyur, Thiruvedhikkudi. Thiruchotruthurai 1 Thiruppazhanam 2 Thenkudi Thittai 3 Thiru Neithanam 4 Thiru Kandiyur 5 Thiruvedhikkudi 2 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.
      1. 1 ThiruppazhanamSri Aabath Sahayeswarar Temple1.9 km from the last stop
      2. 2 Thenkudi ThittaiSri Vashishteswarar Temple1 km from the last stop
      3. 3 Thiru NeithanamSri Neyyadiyappar Temple3.6 km from the last stop
      4. 4 Thiru KandiyurSri Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple2.7 km from the last stop
      5. 5 ThiruvedhikkudiSri Vedhapureeswarar Temple3.2 km from the last stop
      Open this route in Google Maps →

      Temple plan

      An entrance gateway under an arch with coloured figures of Shiva and Parvathy, a name board and palm trees
      01

      The east gate

      Thiru Chotruthurai is situated at a distance of about 6 kms from Kandiyur.

      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.

      Pathigam No.1.028.

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Sung at this temple by Thirugnanasambandar. Verse 1 of 11.

      Seppa neñchē neṟikoḷ sitṟiṉpam
      thuppa ṉeṉṉā tharuḷē thuṇaiyāka
      oppa roppar perumāṉ oḷiveṇṇīṟ
      ṟappar chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

      The saint speaks to his heart and says that, with the lord's grace as our support, none equals the Lord, the father who wears bright white ash. He proposes that they go to Chotruthurai and reach him.

      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

        செப்ப நெஞ்சே நெறிகொள் சிற்றின்பம்துப்ப னென்னா தருளே துணையாகஒப்ப ரொப்பர் பெருமான் ஒளிவெண்ணீற்றப்பர் சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Seppa neñchē neṟikoḷ sitṟiṉpam / thuppa ṉeṉṉā tharuḷē thuṇaiyāka / oppa roppar perumāṉ oḷiveṇṇīṟ / ṟappar chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        நெஞ்சே, முறையான சிற்றின்பத்தைத் தன் முனைப்போடு "யான் துய்ப்பேன்" என்னாது, "அருளே துணையாக நுகர்வேன்" என்று கூற, இறைவர் அதனை ஏற்பர். அத்தகைய பெருமானார், ஒளி பொருந்திய திருவெண்ணீறு அணிந்த மேனியராய்த் தலைவராய் விளங்கும், திருச்சோற்றுத் துறையைச் சென்றடைவோம்.

      2. 02

        பாலும் நெய்யுந் தயிரும் பயின்றாடித்தோலும் நூலுந் துதைந்த வரைமார்பர்மாலுஞ் சோலை புடைசூழ் மடமஞ்ஞைஆலுஞ் சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Pālum neyyun thayirum payiṉtṟāṭith / thōlum nūlun thuthaintha varaimārpar / māluñ chōlai puṭaichūzh maṭamaññai / āluñ chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        பாலையும் நெய்யையும் தயிரையும் விரும்பி யாடிப் புலித்தோலும் முப்புரி நூலும் பொருந்திய மலை போன்று விரிந்த மார்பினராய் விளங்கும் சிவபிரான் எழுந்தருளிய, மயக்கும் சோலைகளால் சூழப்பெற்ற, இள மயில்கள் ஆரவாரிக்கும் திருச்சோற்றுத்துறையைச் சென்றடைவோம்.

      3. 03

        செய்யர் செய்ய சடையர் விடையூர்வர்கைகொள் வேலர் கழலர் கரிகாடர்தைய லாளொர் பாக மாயஎம்ஐயர் சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Ceyyar seyya saṭaiyar viṭaiyūrvar / kaikoḷ vēlar kazhalar karikāṭar / thaiya lāḷor pāka māya'em / aiyar chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        சிவந்த திருமேனியரும், செம்மை நிறமுடைய சடைமுடியினரும், விடையூர்ந்து வருபவரும், கையில் பற்றிய சூலத்தினரும், வீரக்கழல் அணிந்தவரும், இடுகாட்டில் விளங்குபவரும், உமையம்மையைத் தன்மேனியில் ஒரு கூறாகக் கொண்டவருமான எம் தலைவராய சிவபிரான் எழுந்தருளிய திருச்சோற்றுத்துறையைச் சென்றடைவோம்.

      4. 04

        பிணிகொ ளாக்கை யொழியப் பிறப்புளீர்துணிகொள் போரார் துளங்கு மழுவாளர்மணிகொள் கண்டர் மேய வார்பொழில்அணிகொள் சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Piṇiko ḷākkai yozhiyap piṟappuḷīr / thuṇikoḷ pōrār thuḷaṅku mazhuvāḷar / maṇikoḷ kaṇṭar mēya vārpozhil / aṇikoḷ chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        நோய்கட்கு இடமான இவ்வுடலுடன் பிறத்தல் ஒழியுமாறு இப்பிறப்பைப் பயன்படுத்த எண்ணும் அறிவுடையவர்களே, துணித்தலைச் செய்வதும், போர் செய்தற்கு உரியதுமான விளங்கும் மழுவாயுதத்தைக் கையில் ஏந்தியவரும், நீலமணி போன்ற கண்டத்தை உடையவருமான, சிவபெருமான் மேவிய நீண்ட பொழில்கள் சூழ்ந்த அழகிய திருச்சோற்றுத்துறையைச் சென்றடைவோமாக.

      5. 05

        பிறையும் அரவும் புனலுஞ் சடைவைத்துமறையும் ஓதி மயானம் இடமாகஉறையுஞ் செல்வம் உடையார் காவிரிஅறையுஞ் சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Piṟaiyum aravum puṉaluñ chaṭaivaiththu / maṟaiyum ōthi mayāṉam iṭamāka / uṟaiyuñ selvam uṭaiyār kāviri / aṟaiyuñ chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        இளம் பிறையையும் பாம்பையும் கங்கையையும் சடையில் அணிந்து, நான்மறைகளை ஓதிக் கொண்டு, சுடுகாட்டைத் தமது இடமாகக் கொண்டு உறையும், வீடு பேறாகிய செல்வத்தை உடைய இறைவரின் காவிரி நீர் ஒலி செய்யும் திருச்சோற்றுத் துறையைச் சென்றடைவோம்.

      6. 06

        துடிக ளோடு முழவம் விம்மவேபொடிகள் பூசிப் புறங்கா டரங்காகப்படிகொள் பாணி பாடல் பயின்றாடும்அடிகள் சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Thuṭika ḷōṭu muzhavam vim'mavē / poṭikaḷ pūsip puṟaṅkā ṭaraṅkākap / paṭikoḷ pāṇi pāṭal payiṉtṟāṭum / aṭikaḷ chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        உடுக்கைகள் பலவற்றோடு முழவங்கள் ஒலிக்கத் தம் மேனி மீது திருநீற்றுப் பொடி பூசி, புறங்காடாகிய சுடுகாட்டை அரங்காகக் கொண்டு, பொருத்தமான தாளச் சதிகளோடு பாடல்கள் பாடி ஆடும் அடிகள் எழுந்தருளிய திருச்சோற்றுத்துறையைச் சென்று அடைவோம்.

      7. 07

        சாடிக் காலன் மாளத் தலைமாலைசூடி மிக்குச் சுவண்டாய் வருவார்தாம்பாடி யாடிப் பரவு வாருள்ளத்தாடி சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Chāṭik kālaṉ māḷath thalaimālai / chūṭi mikkuch chuvaṇṭāy varuvārthām / pāṭi yāṭip paravu vāruḷḷath / thāṭi chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        காலன் அழியுமாறு அவனைக் காலால் உதைத்துத் தலைமாலைகளை அணிந்து, பொருத்தம் உடையவராய் வருபவரும், பாடி ஆடிப் பரவுவார் உள்ளங்களில் மகிழ்வோடு நடனம் புரிபவருமான சிவபிரான் எழுந்தருளிய திருச்சோற்றுத்துறையைச் சென்றடைவோம்.

      8. 08

        பெண்ணோர் பாகம் உடையார் பிறைச்சென்னிக்கண்ணோர் பாகங் கலந்த நுதலினார்எண்ணா தரக்கன் எடுக்க வூன்றியஅண்ணல் சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Peṇṇōr pākam uṭaiyār piṟaichcheṉṉik / kaṇṇōr pākaṅ kalantha nuthaliṉār / eṇṇā tharakkaṉ eṭukka vūṉtṟiya / aṇṇal chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        ஒருபாகமாக உமையம்மையை உடையவரும், பிறையணிந்த சென்னியரும், தமது திருமேனியில் ஒரு பாகமாக விளங்கும் நெற்றி விழியை உடையவரும், இராவணன் பின்விளையும் தீமையை எண்ணாது கயிலை மலையைப் பெயர்க்க, அவனது முனைப்பை அடக்கக் கால் விரலை ஊன்றிய தலைமைத் தன்மை உடையவருமாகிய சிவபிரானது திருச்சோற்றுத்துறையைச் சென்றடைவோம்.

      9. 09

        தொழுவா ரிருவர் துயரம் நீங்கவேஅழலா யோங்கி அருள்கள் செய்தவன்விழவார் மறுகில் விதியால் மிக்கஎம்எழிலார் சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Thozhuvā riruvar thuyaram nīṅkavē / azhalā yōṅki aruḷkaḷ seythavaṉ / vizhavār maṟukil vithiyāl mikka'em / ezhilār chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        தம் செருக்கடங்கித் தம்மைத் தொழுத திருமால் பிரமன் ஆகிய இருவர்க்கும், அழலுருவாய் ஓங்கி நின்று அருள்களைச் செய்தவன், விரும்பி உறையும் விழாக்கள் நிகழும் வீதிகளில் வேத விதியோடு வாழும் மக்களை உடைய சோற்றுத்துறையைச் சென்றடைவோம்.

      10. 10

        கோது சாற்றித் திரிவார் அமண்குண்டர்ஓதும் ஓத்தை யுணரா தெழுநெஞ்சேநீதி நின்று நினைவார் வேடமாம்ஆதி சோற்றுத் துறைசென் றடைவோமே

        Kōthu chātṟith thirivār amaṇkuṇṭar / ōthum ōththai yuṇarā thezhuneñchē / nīthi niṉtṟu niṉaivār vēṭamām / āthi chōtṟuth thuṟaiseṉ tṟaṭaivōmē

        நெஞ்சே! குற்றங்களையே பலகாலும் சொல்லித் திரிபவராகிய சமண் குண்டர்கள் ஓதுகின்ற வேதத்தை அறிய முயலாது, சிவாகம நெறி நின்று, நினைப்பவர் கருதும் திருவுருவோடு வெளிப்பட்டருளும் முதல்வனாகிய சிவபிரானது சோற்றுத்துறையை நாம் சென்றடைவோம்.

      11. 11

        அந்தண் சோற்றுத் துறைஎம் ஆதியைச்சிந்தை செய்ம்மின் அடியா ராயினீர்சந்தம் பரவு ஞான சம்பந்தன்வந்த வாறே புனைதல் வழிபாடே

        In the last verse, Sambandan asks devotees to think of the lord of Chotruthurai and says that reciting the words as they came is worship.

        Anthaṇ chōtṟuth thuṟai'em āthiyaich / chinthai seym'miṉ aṭiyā rāyiṉīr / santham paravu gñāṉa sambanthaṉ / vantha vāṟē puṉaithal vazhipāṭē

        அடியவர்களாக உள்ளவர்களே! அழகு தண்மை ஆகியவற்றோடு விளங்கும் திருச்சோற்றுத்துறையில் எழுந்தருளிய எம் முதல்வனை மனத்தால் தியானியுங்கள். சந்த இசையால் ஞானசம்பந்தன் பாடிய இத்திருப்பதிகத்தைத் தமக்கு வந்தவாறு பாடி வழிபடுதலே அவ்விறைவற்கு நாம் செய்யும் வழிபாடாகும்.

      Photos

      Photographs

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

      An entrance gateway under an arch with coloured figures of Shiva and Parvathy, a name board and palm trees
      A tall gold-coloured pillar beside a small roofed mandapam, with a coloured tower rising behind the wall
      A small blue shrine with a dim idol inside, under a tree in front of a red and white striped wall
      A long stone hall with rows of pillars and framed pictures, with a lit sanctum at the far end
      A doorway into an inner shrine, topped by a coloured sculpture of a seated goddess with attendants
      A dark stone idol of Vinayakar draped in an orange shawl and a white cloth, with sandalwood dots
      A seated dark stone idol with a red cloth over its shoulders and yellow cloth at the waist, in a niche
      A small shrine with a standing idol in an orange cloth, and a board above reading Sri Mahavishnu in Tamil
      Four small dark idols in white cloths and flower garlands standing before a flower arch
      A seated dark stone idol in a white cloth, with a red board above reading Sri Iyyanar in Tamil
      Two dark stone idols in red cloths with a board above them naming the couple who received the Akshaya Pathiram
      Two labelled idols against a wall: a carved Lingothbavar on the left and Gautama Maharishi on the right
      A row of small dark stone idols dressed in coloured cloths, seated along a stone ledge by a plain wall
      A row of black Shivalingams wrapped in white cloths on a stone ledge, with a red board above the wall
      A tall dark idol with several faces framed by an arch and rows of lamps, seen through a shrine doorway
      A carved stone relief of a many-armed figure on a block, with a board above reading Sri Kalasamharamurthy
      A tall stone panel carved in tiers: a figure worshiping a lingam above, then a group scene and a war scene
      Devotees stand in a stone hall with a brass lamp stand in the front and a lit sanctum doorway behind
      A wide paved courtyard enclosed by pillared stone corridors, with a small domed shrine at the far side
      A long stone corridor wall with painted Tamil marks on it and a tiled passage entrance with palms behind
      A coloured tower rising behind the corridor wall, with small domed shrines in the foreground
      A shrine entrance under a green board naming the Annapoorani Ambal, with the coloured tower on the right
      A coloured tiered tower above a red stone base, with small shrines and palm trees around it