Painted entrance arch with a name board in Tamil and a tiered gopuram behind it

Moovar sthalamSwayambu

Thirukkazhippalai, Chidambaram Sri Palvanna Nathar Temple 4th of 63 on the north bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Chidambaram

Darshan today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Moolavar: Palvanna Nathar
Ambal: Porpatha Vedanayaki Ammai
Theertham: river Kollidam (Coleroon)
Sthala vriksham: Vilvam tree
Pathigam by: Thirugnanasambanthar (2), Thirunavukarasar (Appar) (5), Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) (1).

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 11 March 2017700 words · 4 min

Visited on: 11^th March, 2017

Location

Thirukkazhippalai is situated at a distance of about 4 kms from Chidambaram and it is very close to Thirunelvoyil (Sivapuri) temple.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams near this place are – Chidambaram, Thiruvetkalam and Thirunelvayil (Sivapuri).

General Information

Moolavar: Sri Palvanna Nathar
Ambal: Sri Porpatha Vedanayaki Ammai
Theertham (Holy water): river Kollidam (Coleroon)
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilvam tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by: Saint Thirugnanasambanthar (2), Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) (5), Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) (1).

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 4^th 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 is the Moovar Paadal Petra Sthalam.
This temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has a single corridor. There is no flag post (dwajasthambam) here.
The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 10.07.2003.

History of the Temple

It is believed that this is a reconstructed / relocated temple. The original temple was about 12 kms away from this place and was called Kaaraimedu. It was on the banks of the Kollidam river. The old temple was totally destroyed due to floods. A devotee by the name of Palaniappa Mudaliar built a new temple in Sivapuri and relocated all the idols.

Tiered gopuram at right and a painted dome at left, under a clear blue sky

Legend

The Swayambu lingam is small in size and white in colour. The lingam has a peculiar shape – the top portion is split in two with a narrow gap in between. It is believed that this lingam was installed and worshiped by Poet-Sage Kabilar during his pilgrimage. This lingam is believed to have been hit by the hoof of a horse which had caused it to split. Only milk is poured during abishekam and the rest of the offerings are placed at the base of the lingam. Since the lord here is white in colour, he is praised as “Sri Palvanna Nathar” – “Palvannam” means milk white and “Nathar” is a respectful suffix in Tamil.

It is believed that this place was once on the banks of a backwater (Uppankazhi). This could be the reason why this place gets the name “Thirukkazhippalai” - Thiru is a respectful prefix, Kazhi is derived from Uppankazhi and Pal means land in Tamil.

It is believed that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar stayed in Thiruvetkalam, a neighbouring Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, and visited this temple from there.

It is believed that sage Agasthiyar worshiped the lord here and he was blessed with the lord’s darshan.

Sage Valmiki is also believed to have worshiped the lord of this temple.

Green-pillared arch topped with painted figures, with the gopuram beyond

Stone porch with a pillar and black inscription panels on the wall beside it

Blue-painted sanctum with a small canopy shrine in front, in a paved courtyard

Deities in the temple

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Chadura Durgai, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Vishnu, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Balaganapathy, Nagar, Athmalingam, Jyothilingam, Kirathamurthy, Mahavishnu, Meipporul Nayanar, Nalvar, Sekkizhar, Bhuvaneswari Ambal, Navagrahams, Suryan and Chandran can be seen in the corridors.

There is a separate shrine for Kala Bhairavar.

Small shrine with a colourful dome, seated figures and bulls above an orange doorway

Pillared shrine entrance with a standing goddess figure between two bulls

Small shrine with a painted seated Ganesha above, and a shed roof in front

Doorway with a Tamil name board and three small figures inside, a spear before it

Small shrine with a Tamil name board and a dark stone goddess draped in red

Dark stone figure in red and green silk under a gold-coloured arch

Row of small dark stone figures in white cloths before a blue wall with name boards

Salient Features

In this temple, Kala Bhairavar is very famous and devotees perform poojas for him regularly. It is considered especially auspicious to worship him on Ashtami days (eighth day after the new moon or on the night of full moon). It is believed that the same sculptor who designed the Bhairavar idol in Kasi (Banaras) also made this idol. According to scriptures, worshipping Lord Bhairavar here is equivalent to worshiping him in Kasi. In fact, the Bhairavar is so famous that the locals call it a Bhairavar temple instead of a Shiva temple.

Shrine entrance with a green Tamil name board reading Sri Kala Bhairavar Sannadhi

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

Greatness of this temple

It is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here and consume the milk used for abishekam of the lord.

Devotees also believe that worshipping the lord here would bless them with prosperity and happiness.

Important Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are -

Thai Poosam in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb),

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

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

Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct-Nov), and

Thiruvadirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 07.00 AM to 10.00 AM and 04.30 PM to 07.30 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Palvanna Nathar Temple,
Thirukkazhippalai (Sivapuri),
Sivapuri Post,
Annamalai Nagar Via,
Chidambaram Taluk,
Cuddalore District,
Tamil Nadu – 608 002.

Tele: +91 98426 24580.

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Today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Phone+91 98426 24580

Colourful tiered gopuram with painted figures, trees and a domed building beside it

Large dark stone bull with a white cloth, and a small bull in red cloth beside it

What makes this temple special

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

Greatness

Kala Bhairavar and the white lingam

Kala Bhairavar is very famous here, and the Swayambu lingam is small, white and split at the top.

Kala Bhairavar is very famousDevotees perform poojas for him regularly, and Ashtami days are especially auspicious.
Worship here as in KasiAccording to scriptures, worshipping Lord Bhairavar here is equivalent to worshiping him in Kasi.
A white lingam, split at the topThe Swayambu lingam is small in size and white in colour, with its top portion split in two.

Significance

A Moovar Paadal Petra Sthalam

One of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, sung by Thirugnanasambanthar, Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Sundaramurthy (Sundarar).

On the northern bank of the CauveryIt is the 4th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.
The Moovar sthalamThis is the Moovar Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Worshiped by Poet-Sage KabilarIt is believed that Poet-Sage Kabilar installed and worshiped the lingam during his pilgrimage.

Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for a child boon, for prosperity and happiness, and to worship Kala Bhairavar.

For a child boon: pray and take the milkThose seeking child boon can pray to the lord here and consume the milk used for abishekam.
For prosperity and happinessDevotees believe that worshipping the lord here would bless them with prosperity and happiness.
For Kala Bhairavar: poojas on Ashtami daysDevotees perform poojas for Kala Bhairavar regularly, especially on Ashtami days.

The temple's entrance arch, with the Rajagopuram behind

276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

Paadal Petra Sthalams

The name Palvanna Nathar

பால்வண்ணம்milk white
நாதர்a respectful suffix in Tamil

The lord is white in colour, so he is praised as Sri Palvanna Nathar.

Legends of this temple

The lingam is believed to have been hit by the hoof of a horse, which caused it to split.

Sage Agasthiyar worshiped the lord here and was blessed with the lord's darshan.

Sage Valmiki is also believed to have worshiped the lord of this temple.

Saints of this temple

ThirugnanasambantharHe stayed in Thiruvetkalam and visited this temple from there.
ArunagirinadharSang in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in the Thirupugazh.
KabilarThe Poet-Sage is believed to have installed and worshiped the lingam during his pilgrimage.

Festivals through the year

Thai Poosam, Navarathri, Annabishekam and Thiruvadirai are among the festivals celebrated here.

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

Moolavarபா

Moolavar

Sri Palvanna Nathar

Since the lord here is white in colour, he is praised as Sri Palvanna Nathar. The Swayambu lingam is small and white.

Ambalபொ

Ambal

Sri Porpatha Vedanayaki Ammai

The Ambal of the temple is Sri Porpatha Vedanayaki Ammai.

Shrine in the corridor

Murugan with his consorts

Shrines and idols of Murugan with his consorts and other deities can be seen in the corridors.

Shrine in the corridor

Chadura Durgai

Shrines and idols of Chadura Durgai and other deities can be seen in the corridors.

Shrine of Kala Bhairavar

Kala Bhairavar

There is a separate shrine for Kala Bhairavar. Devotees perform poojas for him regularly.

Sacred geography

You are hereThis temple

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

Darshan today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

7:00 – 10:004:30 – 7:30 pm

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

Plan the day around it

Address and phone

Sri Palvanna Nathar Temple, Thirukkazhippalai (Sivapuri), Sivapuri Post, Annamalai Nagar Via, Chidambaram Taluk, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu – 608 002.

+91 98426 24580

A day of darshan nearby

5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 28.7 km in straight lines.

Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

Open this route in Google Maps →

The entrance

Thirukkazhippalai is situated at a distance of about 4 kms from Chidambaram and it is very close to Thirunelvoyil (Sivapuri) temple.

1 / 5

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

Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

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

V. Muthukumaraswamy

Sung here by Sundarar. Verse 1 of 10.

Seṭiyēṉ thīviṉaiyiṟ tṟaṭumāṟak kaṇṭālum

aṭiyāṉ āvaveṉā thozhithal thakavāmē

muṭimēl māmathiyum aravum uṭaṉtṟuyilum

vaṭivē thāmuṭaiyār makizhuṅkazhip pālaiyathē

Even when the lord sees his lowly servant stumbling under his misdeeds, is it fitting for him to turn away without a word? The lord who wears the great moon and a snake sleeping together on his head delights in Kazhippalai.

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 ten verses

01
செடியேன் தீவினையிற் றடுமாறக் கண்டாலும்அடியான் ஆவவெனா தொழிதல் தகவாமேமுடிமேல் மாமதியும் அரவும் உடன்றுயிலும்வடிவே தாமுடையார் மகிழுங்கழிப் பாலையதே

Seṭiyēṉ thīviṉaiyiṟ tṟaṭumāṟak kaṇṭālum / aṭiyāṉ āvaveṉā thozhithal thakavāmē / muṭimēl māmathiyum aravum uṭaṉtṟuyilum / vaṭivē thāmuṭaiyār makizhuṅkazhip pālaiyathē
02
எங்கே னும்மிருந்துன் அடியே னுனைநினைந்தால்அங்கே வந்தென்னோடும் உடனாகி நின்றருளிஇங்கே என்வினையை அறுத்திட் டெனையாளும்கங்கா நாயகனே கழிப்பாலை மேயானே

Eṅkē ṉum'mirunthuṉ aṭiyē ṉuṉainiṉainthāl / aṅkē vantheṉṉōṭum uṭaṉāki niṉtṟaruḷi / iṅkē eṉviṉaiyai aṟuththiṭ ṭeṉaiyāḷum / kaṅkā nāyakaṉē kazhippālai mēyāṉē
03
ஒறுத்தாய் நின்னருளில் அடியேன் பிழைத்தனகள்பொறுத்தாய் எத்தனையும் நாயேனைப் பொருட்படுத்துச்செறுத்தாய் வேலைவிட மறியாமல் உண்டுகண்டங்கறுத்தாய் தண்கழனிக் கழிப்பாலை மேயானே

Oṟuthāy niṉṉaruḷil aṭiyēṉ pizhaihaṉakaḷ / poṟuthāy ethaṉaiyum nāyēṉaip poruṭpaṭuththuch / cheṟuthāy vēlaiviṭa maṟiyāmal uṇṭukaṇṭaṅ / kaṟuthāy thaṇkazhaṉik kazhippālai mēyāṉē
04
சுரும்பார் விண்டமலர் அவைதூவித் தூங்குகண்ணீர்அரும்பா நிற்குமனத் தடியாரொடும் அன்புசெய்வன்விரும்பேன் உன்னையல்லால் ஒருதெய்வம் என்மனத்தாற்கரும்பா ருங்கழனிக் கழிப்பாலை மேயானே

Surumpār viṇṭamalar avaithūvith thūṅkukaṇṇīr / arumpā niṟkumaṉath thaṭiyāroṭum aṉpuseyvaṉ / virumpēṉ uṉṉaiyallāl orutheyvam eṉmaṉathāṟ / karumpā ruṅkazhaṉik kazhippālai mēyāṉē
05
ஒழிப்பாய் என்வினையை உகப்பாய் முனிந்தருளித்தெழிப்பாய் மோதுவிப்பாய் விலையா வணமுடையாய்கழிப்பால் கண்டடங்கச் சுழியேந்து மாமறுகிற்கழிப்பா லைமருவுங் கனலேந்து கையானே

Ozhippāy eṉviṉaiyai ukappāy muṉintharuḷith / thezhippāy mōthuvippāy vilaiyā vaṇamuṭaiyāy / kazhippāl kaṇṭaṭaṅkach chuzhiyēnthu māmaṟukiṟ / kazhippā laimaruvuṅ kaṉalēnthu kaiyāṉē
06
ஆர்த்தாய் ஆடரவை அரையார் புலியதள்மேற்போர்த்தாய் ஆனையின்றோல் உரிவை புலால்நாறக்காத்தாய் தொண்டுசெய்வார் வினைகள் அவைபோகப்பார்த்தா னுக்கிடமாம் பழியில்கழிப் பாலையதே

Ārthāy āṭaravai araiyār puliyathaḷmēṟ / pōrthāy āṉaiyiṉtṟōl urivai pulālnāṟak / kāthāy thoṇṭuseyvār viṉaikaḷ avaipōkap / pārthā ṉukkiṭamām pazhiyilkazhip pālaiyathē
07
பருத்தாள் வன்பகட்டைப் படமாகமுன் பற்றியதள்உரித்தாய் ஆனையின்றோல் உலகந்தொழும் உத்தமனேஎரித்தாய் முப்புரமும் இமையோர்கள் இடர்கடியுங்கருத்தா தண்கழனிக் கழிப்பாலை மேயானே

Paruthāḷ vaṉpakaṭṭaip paṭamākamuṉ patṟiyathaḷ / urithāy āṉaiyiṉtṟōl ulakanthozhum uthamaṉē / erithāy muppuramum imaiyōrkaḷ iṭarkaṭiyuṅ / karuthā thaṇkazhaṉik kazhippālai mēyāṉē
08
படைத்தாய் ஞாலமெலாம் படர்புன்சடை எம்பரமாஉடைத்தாய் வேள்விதனை உமையாளையோர் கூறுடையாய்அடர்த்தாய் வல்லரக்கன் றலைபத்தொடு தோள்நெரியக்கடற்சா ருங்கழனிக் கழிப்பாலை மேயானே

Paṭaithāy gñālamelām paṭarpuṉsaṭai emparamā / uṭaithāy vēḷvithaṉai umaiyāḷaiyōr kūṟuṭaiyāy / aṭarthāy vallarakkaṉ tṟalaipathoṭu thōḷneriyak / kaṭaṟsā ruṅkazhaṉik kazhippālai mēyāṉē
09
பொய்யா நாவதனாற் புகழ்வார்கள் மனத்தினுள்ளேமெய்யே நின்றெரியும் விளக்கேயொத்த தேவர்பிரான்செய்யா னுங்கரிய நிறத்தானுந் தெரிவரியான்மையார் கண்ணியொடு மகிழ்வான்கழிப் பாலையதே

Poyyā nāvathaṉāṟ pukazhvārkaḷ maṉathiṉuḷḷē / meyyē niṉtṟeriyum viḷakkēyotha thēvarpirāṉ / seyyā ṉuṅkariya niṟathāṉun therivariyāṉ / maiyār kaṇṇiyoṭu makizhvāṉkazhip pālaiyathē
10
பழிசே ரில்புகழான் பரமன் பரமேட்டிகழியார் செல்வமல்குங் கழிப்பாலை மேயானைத்தொழுவான் நாவலர்கோன் ஆரூரன் உரைத்ததமிழ்வழுவா மாலைவல்லார் வானோருல காள்பவரே

The last verse names Arurar, lord of the eloquent, as the singer, and says that those who master this garland of Tamil verses will rule the world of the celestials.

Pazhisē rilpukazhāṉ paramaṉ paramēṭṭi / kazhiyār celvamalkuṅ kazhippālai mēyāṉaith / thozhuvāṉ nāvalarkōṉ ārūraṉ uraiththathamizh / vazhuvā mālaivallār vāṉōrula kāḷpavarē

Photographs

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