Visited on: March 31, 2018
Location
Thiru Naraiyur is situated at a distance of about 9 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Nachiyar Koil route. Naraiyur is in the outskirts of Nachiyar Koil.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Kalayanallur, Karukkudi, Sivapuram, Kudavasal, Thirucherai, Arisirkarai Puthur, Penu Perunthurai, Thalaiyalangaadu, Peruvelur, Karaveeram, Nalur Mayanam, Kaduvaikarai Puthur (Andankoil) and Thiru Kollamputhur.
General information
- Moolavar
- Sri Siddhanatheswarar, Sri Vedeswarar, Sri Ramanatha Swamy
- Ambal
- Sri Azhakammai, Sri Soundarya Nayaki, Sri Parvathavarthini
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Soola Theertham, Jada Theertham, Sidhamirtha Theertham, Kadika Theertham
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Pavazha Malligai (a jasmine variety)
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 65th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This is Goddess Mahalakshmi’s “Avathara” Sthalam.
- This west facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
- The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 13.12.1999.
History of the temple
This temple is believed to have been built by the Cholas. There are 24 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Rajaraja Cholan-I to Kulothungan-III.
This temple is called “Siddheecharam”.
The historical names of this place are Sidheeswaram, Suganthavanam, Narapuram, Kuberapuram and Brahmapuram.
This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).




Legend
As per legend, Sage Medhavi Munivar worshipped Lord Shiva here for a long time and prayed that Goddess Lakshmi be born as his daughter. Lord Shiva talked to Mahavishnu and arranged for her to appear before the sage in the form of a small girl. The sage named her “Vanjula” and raised her. The sage got her married to Lord Srinivasa Perumal (Mahavishnu) here with the help of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva and goddess Parvathy performed the wedding as her parents. As Goddess Mahalakshmi was born here, her idol is in the form of a small girl and she is called “Mazhalai Mahalakshmi” (“mazhalai” means sweet speech of infants). The idol is also dressed up in the clothes of a young girl.


After the wedding, Mahalakshmi is believed to have been sent to the nearby Vishnu temple in Naachiyarkoil. In the traditions of southern India, every year during Deepavali and Pongal festivals, gift items are taken from the parental house to the house of a girl’s in-laws. Following this tradition, gift items are taken from this temple to the Vishnu temple in Naachiyarkoil during Deepavali and Pongal. Also, idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are taken in a procession to the Vishnu temple on the next day (“Vaikunda Ekadasi”) to see the Mazhalai Mahalakshmi.
Another legend associated with this temple is that of Korakka Siddhar. Korakka Siddhar is one of the 18 Siddhars. It is believed that he was cursed by the devas and he performed penance here to seek relief. Hence the lord here is called “Sri Siddheswarar” and the place is called “Siddheecharam”. In the corridor, there is a relief that depicts Korakka Siddhar worshiping Lord Shiva.


As per the Sthala Puranam, Sage Dhurvasa visited this temple and worshiped Lord Sidhdhanathar to seek relief for his sins. Lord Shiva relieved him from his sins and blessed him with salvation.
As per the Sthala Puranam, two rishis named Naran and Narayanan had performed penance here. As they did not pay any attention when Sage Dhurvasa visited this place. This angered Sage Dhurvasa and he cursed that both of them will turn into birds (crane). Both of them sought pardon from Sage Dhurvasa and worshiped Lord Shiva here in the form of birds. Lord Shiva restored them to their original forms. As a crane (“Naarai” in Tamil) worshiped the lord here, this place gets the name Naaraiyur. In the corridor, there is a beautiful relief depicting Naran and Narayanan worshiping the lord.


There was once a merchant called Chandraguptha who was suffering from an incurable disease. It is believed that he consumed a small portion of the oil that was used for performing Lord Shiva’s abhishekam and was miraculously cured.
It is believed that lords Murugan, Brahma, Mahavishnu and Kuberan, the Devas, sage Markandeya, Arjunan, Gandharvas, Siddhars and Saints Sundarar and Thirugnanasambanthar have worshiped Lord Shiva here.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Aanda Vinayakar, Murugan, Kubera Mazhalai Mahalakshmi, Navagraham, Varasidhi Vinayakar, Sapthamathas, Balasubramaniyar, Valampuri Vinayakar, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Siddha lingam, Rina lingam, Vayu lingam, Thejas lingam, Jyothi lingam, Nagammal, Suryan, Kala Bairavar, Veera Bairavar, Nalvar with Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Saneeswarar can be seen in the hall and the corridors.
Shrines of Dwara Ganapathy and Bala Shanmugar are on either side of the sanctum’s entrance.
There is an idol of Sage Medhavi in the corridor.
In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Pitchandavar, Ardhanareeswarar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai and Chandikeswarar (3) can be seen.
























Salient features
Goddess Durgai here is known as “Prasanna Durgai” and is having eight hands holding various weapons. Her right leg is placed one step in front. This is quite unique and it looks very beautiful.
In this temple, Lord Dakshinamurthy is facing the west direction. Usually his idol faces the south. This west facing Dakshinamurthy is considered very auspicious. Secondly, Navagraham is right in front of this lord.
Most of the idols in this temple are beautifully carved. Some notable mentions are - Pitchadanar, Ardhanareeswarar, Lingothbavar, Durgai and Brahma. However, the hands of Lord Natarajar are broken in his idol.
The idol of Lord Balasubramaniyar is quite unique as he is shown in a seated posture.
In a single shrine, there are three idols of Chandikeswarar.
The hall (Mandapam) in front of Goddess Soundarya Nayaki’s shrine is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (“Vovval Nethi Mandapam”). This looks very beautiful.


It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every year for three days each in the Tamil months of Aavani (Aug-Sept) and Maasi (Feb-Mar).
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.
Greatness of this temple
Children suffering from speech related problems such as stammering are brought here in the hope that Lord Shiva will cure them.
Devotees believe that by worshiping Lord Shiva here, they will be blessed with a sweet voice.
To seek cure for skin diseases, devotees perform abhishekam to Korakka Siddhar using gingili oil and then consume a few drops of that oil.
Those who have “Navagraha dosham” in their horoscope can worship Lord Dakshinamurthy and Navagraham here to seek relief.
Important festivals
Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – 10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan),Aani Thirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July),Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug),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),Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan) andShivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).
Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Temple timings
From 06.00 AM to 12.30 PM and from 04.30 PM to 08.00 PM.
Temple address
Sri Siddhanatheswarar Temple,
Thirunaraiyur Post (Nachiar Koil),
Kumbakonam Taluk,
Tanjore District,
Tamil Nadu - 612 102.
Tele: +91- 435-246 7343, 246 7219.











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