Visited on: Sunday, 18th 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
- Moolavar
- Sri Shista Gurunatha Eswarar, Sri Pasupatheeswarar,
Sri Thava Neri Aaludayar - Ambal
- Sri Shivaloka Nayaki, Sri Poongothai Nayaki
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Surya Theertham and Chandra Theertham
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Kontrai tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar (Sundarar)
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 15th 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”.
Legend
As per the sthala purana of this temple, Saint Sundarar came to this temple after visiting Thiruvennainallur. Thiruvennainallur is where he is believed to have rendered his first hymn and been bestowed with sainthood. On his way to this temple, he was unable to cross the river Thenpennai. He prayed to the lord for his help in crossing the river. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi appeared before him in the form of an old couple and helped him cross the river on a reef boat (Odam).
After crossing the river, the old couple disappeared and there was a divine voice that directed him to this temple. This story is believed to be the origin of the name “Kizhappakkam”. When Sundarar looked towards this temple, he is believed to have seen Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy on their bull mount (Rishaba Vakanam).
A beautiful sculpture depicting this dharisanam can be seen on top of the entrance hall. There is also a relief in a pillar that depicts Sundarar crossing the river Pennai on a reef boat.
It is believed that in this temple Saint Sundarar was blessed with spiritual powers by Lord Shiva. This was witnessed by Lord Vinayakar. Since Lord Shiva is believed to have taught the rules and principles of penance (“Thava Neri” and “Arumaraikal”), as a guru, the lord here is praised as “Shista Guru Natheswarar”. Prior to this, the lord was known as Sri Pasupatheeswarar and the Goddess was known as Sri Poongothai Nayaki.
Beautiful stone reliefs of Sundarar getting the darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi can be seen next to Lord Dakshinamurthy’s shrine. Idols of Lord Vinayakar, who witnessed Lord Shiva’s discourses can also be seen there.
It is believed that Sage Narada, Sage Vashistar, Sage Agasthiar, Suryan, Lord Ram, Seeta and Bhima have worshiped the lord of this temple.
Deities in the Temple
Apart from the shrines of the main deities, there are shrines and idols of lords Narthana Vinayakar, Bala Murugan, Natarajar, Rama Lingam, Bheema Lingam, Adi Kesava Pakthavatsala Perumal, Subramanyar with his consorts, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Kalabairavar, Surya Lingam, Suryan, Nalvar and Navagraham in the corridors.
There is another Shivalingam near the temple’s sthala viruksham that is believed to have been worshiped by Sage Agasthiar.
Salient Features
The significance of this temple is that Lord Vinayakar is facing the east, Lord Shiva is facing the west, Lord Murugan is facing the south and the Goddess Parvathi is facing the north. Since the four main deities are facing different directions, this temple is considered very unique and auspicious.
Thiruthuraiyur is the first temple where Sundarar rendered his hymn after obtaining sainthood at Thiruvennainallur. Before this he had rendered a hymn at his birth place Thirunavalur. In his hymn of this temple, saint Sundarar can be seen pleading with the lord to teach him the principles of penance.
Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
It is said that Suryan is worshiping the Lord here during the first week of Tamil month Chithirai (April-May) by directing his rays on the lingam in the evenings.
There is a famous shrine for Ashtapuja Pathrakali (Kali with eight hands) outside this temple. There is also another shrine for Lord Shiva at Kizhappakkam (a place near this temple).
This is the birth place of Saint Arul Nandhi Sivachariyar, popularly known as “Sakalakama Pandithar”. He is the second of the four “Santhana Kuravarkal” and has written the famous treatises on “sastra” - “Shivagnana Sidhiyar” and “Iruba Irubadu”. There is a separate shrine at his place of burial (Gurumurtham).
Greatness of this Temple
This is the temple where Lord Guru occupies an important position. Hence, special pujas are conducted on all Thursdays to Lord Shiva and Lord Dakshinamurthy. Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here on Thursdays will bless them with excellence in education.
It is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to Goddess Shivaloka Nayaki here for nine consecutive Fridays.
Important Festivals
10-day Brahmotsavam in “Vaikasi Visakam” in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June),
Skanda Sashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November), and
Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) are the important festivals celebrated in this temple.
Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Temple Timings
From 06:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM.
Temple Address
Sri Shista Gurunathar Temple,
Thiruthuraiyur Post,
Panruti Taluk,
Cuddalore District
Tamil Nadu – 607 205.
Tele: +91 4142 248498.
The temple priest Sri A.Murali Gurukkal can be contacted at 094448 07393.
1
2
3
4
5