Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
A stone temple wall with a painted sanctum tower rising above it, and another tower in the distance.

Sirukudi Sri Sukshumapureeswarar Temple 60th of 129 on the south bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Mayiladuthurai

Darshan today6:30 am – 11:30 am, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
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Moolavar
Sukshumapureeswarar, Mangalanathar, Chirukudiesar, Kalyanasundaresar
Ambal
Mangalanayaki
Theertham
Surya Theertham / Mangala Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Vilvam tree
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 700 words · 4 min

Visited on: 1st September, 2016 and 10th December, 2016

Location

Thiru Sirukudi is situated at a distance of about 5 kms from Karkathi. Karkathi is 28 kms away from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Karaikkal road.

From Peralam, Sirugudi is about 9 kms. Peralam is on the Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur route.

This temple is hardly a kilometre away from Thiruppampuram temple.

Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are –

Thiruppampuram, Thiruvizhimazhalai, Vanniyur, Ambal Maahalam, Ambar Perunthirukkoil, Thirumeyechur and Thirumeyechur Ilangkoil.

General Information

Moolavar
Sri Sukshumapureeswarar, Sri Mangalanathar, Sri Chirukudiesar, Sri Kalyanasundaresar
Ambal
Sri Mangalanayaki
Theertham (Holy water)
Surya Theertham / Mangala Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Vilvam tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 60th Shiva Sthalam in Chozha Nadu on Southern bank of the river Cauveri (Thenkarai).
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Daiviga (Dhivya) lingam.
  • This east facing temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers and it has a single corridor.
  • There is no flag post (Dwajasthambam) in this temple.
  • The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 22.05.2013.

History of the Temple

The historical name of this place is Sukshamapuri.

It is believed that this is the birth place of Pannan, a landlord and a friend of Chola King Killi Valavan. Pannan is famous for his philanthropic activities. He has been praised in the Sangam age literary works – “Akananuru” and “Purananuru”.

A painted gopuram over the entrance, seen along a paved path with trees on both sides.
A large tree on the bank of a pond, with a goat standing beside its trunk.
Tall trees with fine leaves behind a compound wall painted in red and white stripes.

Legend

According to the Sthala puranam, the legend of this temple is as follows. Once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy were playing a game of dice (Sokkattan) in the Mount Kailash. It is believed that Goddess Parvathy won the game and the lord instantly disappeared. Worried about his whereabouts, Goddess Parvathy visited this place, created the Mangala Theertham, created a lingam with a handful of earth, installed it here and worshipped it.

Lord Shiva gave dharisanam to her and took her back to Kailash. Since goddess created a lingam with a handful of earth, this place is known as Siru pidi (meaning handful in Tamil). This has now been changed to Sirukudi. The hand impressions of Goddess Parvathy can be seen on the lingam during Aarthi. The lord here is also known as “Sri Sukshmapureeswarar” meaning the one who disappeared magically.

It is believed that Garudan, Gantharvas, Sage Vishvamitra and Ankarakan (Planet Mars) have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.

Deities in the temple

Shrines and idols of lords Mangalavinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Arthanareeswarar, Navagraham, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Suryan, Bairavar and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the corridors.

There is a separate shrine in this temple for Ankarakan.

Two small painted shrine towers with a blue-roofed shelter between them.
A small pale blue shrine with a seated Vinayakar figure above the doorway.
A shrine with a Tamil name board and a painted tower, with Dakshinamurthy and two devotees above the door.
Two bearded stone figures with palms joined, carved in a niche, with a small lamp at their feet.
A small shrine under a blue canopy, with a blue Tamil board naming it the shrine of Ankarakan.

Salient Features

The procession idol of Lord Shiva portrays him as “Santosha Alinganamoorthy” – the “lord who embraced the goddess with joy”. This idol looks very beautiful and is unique to this temple.

Since the lingam is made of earth, the abishekam is performed only to the base (Aavudayar). Only “Punugu” is applied to the lingam once in a while. The lingam is always covered with metal sheet (“kavasam”).

In this temple, along with the Navagraham, idols of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Lord Bairavar and Lord Vinayakar are installed. This is a rare combination. Interestingly, Sambanthar sang the “Kolaru Pathigam” here. It is a prayer to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy to seek relief from the adverse aspects of planets.

In the first stanza of his hymn, saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentions that those who worship the lord here will attain salvation and will get a place in the lord’s abode. In his 11th stanza he mentions that this temple attracts a lot of honeybees (“Thenamar Pozhilani Sirugudi mevia…. “). Interestingly, we can still see beehives in this temple’s hall.

Greatness of this temple

This is a parikara sthalam for doshas related to Planet Mars (“Sevvai dosham” - Ankaraka dosham). Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here would remove obstacles from their marriage proposals. It is also believed that worshiping Lord Shiva here will result in the reunion of estranged couples.

Important Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are -

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

Tirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (November-December),

Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan),

Maasi Maham and Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 06.30 AM to 11.30 AM and 04.30 PM to 07.30 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Sukshumapureeswarar Temple,
Thiru Sirukudi,
Sarabojirajapuram Post,
Poonthottam Via,
Kudavasal Taluk,
Thiruvarur District,
Tamil Nadu – 609 503.
Tele: +91 4366 291 646.

The temple priest Shri V.Muthusubramaniya Gurukkal can be contacted at +91 9585160660.

*
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Today6:30 am – 11:30 am, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Phone+91 4366 291 646
A domed shrine roof and a taller painted tower rising above stone walls, with a blue shelter beyond.
A small shrine, a domed shrine roof and a tower beyond, beside trees and a striped wall.
A blue-roofed shelter between two painted shrine towers, one with a stone wall at left.

Highlights

What makes this temple special

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

Greatness

A lingam made of earth

The lingam is made of earth, and the procession idol is unique to this temple.

  1. Abishekam only to the baseSince the lingam is made of earth, the abishekam is performed only to the base, and the lingam is always covered with a metal sheet.
  2. A unique procession idolThe procession idol portrays the lord who embraced the goddess with joy, and is unique to this temple.
  3. A rare combination with the NavagrahamIdols of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Lord Bairavar and Lord Vinayakar are installed along with the Navagraham, a rare combination.
Significance

A Devara Paadal Petra sthalam

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar sang the Pathigam of this temple.

  1. On the southern bank of the CauveriIt is a Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Chozha Nadu on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri.
  2. Birth place of PannanIt is believed to be the birth place of Pannan, a landlord praised in Sangam age literary works.
  3. The Kolaru PathigamSambanthar sang the Kolaru Pathigam here, a prayer for relief from the adverse aspects of planets.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for marriage, for reunion of couples and for relief from Sevvai dosham.

  1. For marriage: obstacles removedDevotees believe that worshiping the lord here would remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.
  2. For couples: a reunionIt is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva here will result in the reunion of estranged couples.
  3. For Sevvai dosham: reliefThis is a parikara sthalam for doshas related to Planet Mars.
The temple's three-tiered Rajagopuram
276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

How Sirukudi got its name

  1. சிறு பிடிA handful, in Tamil

Since the goddess created a lingam with a handful of earth, the place is known as Siru pidi, now changed to Sirukudi.

Sukshamapuri

    Legends of the temple

    Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy played a game of dice in Mount Kailash; the goddess won and the lord disappeared.

    The goddess came here, created the Mangala Theertham, made a lingam with a handful of earth and worshiped it.

    Lord Shiva gave dharisanam to her and took her back to Kailash, so he is called Sri Sukshmapureeswarar.

    What devotees pray for

    • MarriageDevotees believe worship here would remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.
    • Reunion of couplesWorship here is believed to result in the reunion of estranged couples.
    • Relief from Sevvai doshamThe temple is a parikara sthalam for doshas related to Planet Mars.

    Saints and sages

    1. ThirugnanasambantharSang the Kolaru Pathigam here, and an idol of the saint stands with the Navagraham.
    2. Sage VishvamitraIs believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple.

    Festivals through the year

      Vinayakar Chaturthi, Tirukarthikai, Thiruvadhirai, Maasi Maham and Maha Shivrathri are among 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
      Moolavarசூ
      Moolavar

      Sri Sukshumapureeswarar

      Lord Shiva in this temple is a Daiviga (Dhivya) lingam.

      Ambalமங்
      Ambal

      Sri Mangalanayaki

      Goddess Parvathy created a lingam with a handful of earth, installed it here and worshipped it.

      Shrine in the corridorந
      Shrine in the corridor

      Navagraham

      Idols of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Lord Bairavar and Lord Vinayakar are installed along with the Navagraham. This is a rare combination.

      A small shrine under a blue canopy, with a blue Tamil board naming it the shrine of Ankarakan.
      Separate shrine

      Ankarakan

      There is a separate shrine in this temple for Ankarakan.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Sirukudi Vanniyur Thiruppampuram Thirunallam Thiru Thilathaipathi Thirumiyachur Thirumiyachur Ilangkovil Karuvili Kottitai Thirucherai Vaikal Maadakkoil Thiruvazhunthur Thirukkozhambam Nannilathu Perungkoil
      You are hereThis temple

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

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today6:30 am – 11:30 am, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
      6:30 – 11:304:30 – 7:30 pm

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

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Sukshumapureeswarar Temple, Thiru Sirukudi, Sarabojirajapuram Post, Poonthottam Via, Kudavasal Taluk, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu – 609 503. The temple priest Shri V.Muthusubramaniya Gurukkal can be contacted at +91 9585160660.

      +91 4366 291 646

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 17.6 km in straight lines.

      Map of Sirukudi and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Vanniyur, Karuvili Kottitai, Thirucherai, Vaikal Maadakkoil, Thirukkozhambam. Thiruppampuram · 3.7 km Thirunallam · 4.7 km Thiru Thilathaipathi · 5.8 km Sirukudi 1 Vanniyur 2 Karuvili Kottitai 3 Thirucherai 4 Vaikal Maadakkoil 5 Thirukkozhambam 2 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.
      1. 1 VanniyurSri Agnipureeswarar Temple3 km from the last stop
      2. 2 Karuvili KottitaiSri Sarguneswarar Temple4.1 km from the last stop
      3. 3 ThirucheraiSri Saraparameswarar Temple1 km from the last stop
      4. 4 Vaikal MaadakkoilSri Vaikalnatheswarar Temple6.1 km from the last stop
      5. 5 ThirukkozhambamSri Kokileswarar Temple3.4 km from the last stop
      Open this route in Google Maps →

      Temple plan

      A large tree on the bank of a pond, with a goat standing beside its trunk.
      01

      Surya and Mangala Theertham

      The Theertham (Holy water) is Surya Theertham / Mangala Theertham.

      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

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

      Thiṭamali mathilaṇi siṟukudi mēviya
      paṭamali aravuṭai yīrē
      paṭamali aravuṭai yīrumaip paṇipavar
      aṭaivathum amarula kathuvē

      The saint addresses the lord who dwells in Sirukudi, with its strong wall, and who wears a hooded snake. He says that those who bow to the lord attain the world of the immortals.

      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

        திடமலி மதிலணி சிறுகுடி மேவியபடமலி அரவுடை யீரேபடமலி அரவுடை யீருமைப் பணிபவர்அடைவதும் அமருல கதுவே

        Thiṭamali mathilaṇi siṟukudi mēviya / paṭamali aravuṭai yīrē / paṭamali aravuṭai yīrumaip paṇipavar / aṭaivathum amarula kathuvē

      2. 02

        சிற்றிடை யுடன்மகிழ் சிறுகுடி மேவியசுற்றிய சடைமுடி யீரேசுற்றிய சடைமுடி யீரும தொழுகழல்உற்றவர் உறுபிணி யிலரே

        Sitṟiṭai yuṭaṉmakizh siṟukudi mēviya / chutṟiya saṭaimuṭi yīrē / chutṟiya saṭaimuṭi yīruma thozhukazhal / utṟavar uṟupiṇi yilarē

      3. 03

        தெள்ளிய புனலணி சிறுகுடி மேவியதுள்ளிய மானுடை யீரேதுள்ளிய மானுடை யீரும தொழுகழல்உள்ளுதல் செயநலம் உறுமே

        Theḷḷiya puṉalaṇi siṟukudi mēviya / thuḷḷiya māṉuṭai yīrē / thuḷḷiya māṉuṭai yīruma thozhukazhal / uḷḷuthal seyanalam uṟumē

      4. 04

        செந்நெல வயலணி சிறுகுடி மேவியஒன்னலர் புரமெரித் தீரேஒன்னலர் புரமெரித் தீருமை யுள்குவார்சொன்னலம் உடையவர் தொண்டே

        Sennela vayalaṇi siṟukudi mēviya / oṉṉalar puramerith thīrē / oṉṉalar puramerith thīrumai yuḷkuvār / soṉṉalam uṭaiyavar thoṇṭē

      5. 05

        செற்றினின் மலிபுனல் சிறுகுடி மேவியபெற்றிகொள் பிறைமுடி யீரேபெற்றிகொள் பிறைமுடி யீருமைப் பேணிநஞ்சற்றவர் அருவினை யிலரே

        Setṟiṉiṉ malipuṉal siṟukudi mēviya / petṟikoḷ piṟaimuṭi yīrē / petṟikoḷ piṟaimuṭi yīrumaip pēṇinañ / chatṟavar aruviṉai yilarē

      6. 06

        செங்கயல் புனலணி சிறுகுடி மேவியமங்கையை இடமுடை யீரேமங்கையை இடமுடை யீருமை வாழ்த்துவார்சங்கைய திலர்நலர் தவமே

        Seṅkayal puṉalaṇi siṟukudi mēviya / maṅkaiyai iṭamuṭai yīrē / maṅkaiyai iṭamuṭai yīrumai vāzhththuvār / saṅkaiya thilarnalar thavamē

      7. 07

        செறிபொழில் தழுவிய சிறுகுடி மேவியவெறிகமழ் சடைமுடி யீரேவெறிகமழ் சடைமுடி யீருமை விரும்பிமெய்ந்நெறியுணர் வோருயர்ந் தோரே

        Seṟipozhil thazhuviya siṟukudi mēviya / veṟikamazh saṭaimuṭi yīrē / veṟikamazh saṭaimuṭi yīrumai virumpimeyn / neṟiyuṇar vōruyarn thōrē

      8. 08

        திசையவர் தொழுதெழு சிறுகுடி மேவியதசமுகன் உரநெரித் தீரேதசமுகன் உரநெரித் தீருமைச் சார்பவர்வசையறும் அதுவழி பாடே

        Thisaiyavar thozhuthezhu siṟukudi mēviya / thasamukaṉ uranerith thīrē / thasamukaṉ uranerith thīrumaich chārpavar / vasaiyaṟum athuvazhi pāṭē

      9. 09

        செருவரை வயலமர் சிறுகுடி மேவியஇருவரை அசைவுசெய் தீரேஇருவரை அசைவுசெய் தீருமை யேத்துவார்அருவினை யொடுதுய ரிலரே

        Seruvarai vayalamar siṟukudi mēviya / iruvarai asaivusey thīrē / iruvarai asaivusey thīrumai yēththuvār / aruviṉai yoṭuthuya rilarē

      10. 10

        செய்த்தலை புனலணி சிறுகுடி மேவியபுத்தரோ டமண்புறத் தீரேபுத்தரோ டமண்புறத் தீருமைப் போற்றுதல்பத்தர்கள் தம்முடைப் பரிசே

        Seyththalai puṉalaṇi siṟukudi mēviya / puththarō ṭamaṇpuṟath thīrē / puththarō ṭamaṇpuṟath thīrumaip pōtṟuthal / paththarkaḷ tham'muṭaip parisē

      11. 11

        தேனமர் பொழிலணி சிறுகுடி மேவியமானமர் கரமுடை யீரேமானமர் கரமுடை யீருமை வாழ்த்தியஞானசம் பந்தன தமிழே

        The last verse names Gnanasambandan and offers these Tamil verses in praise of the lord who holds a deer in his hand and dwells in Sirukudi.

        Thēṉamar pozhilaṇi siṟukudi mēviya / māṉamar karamuṭai yīrē / māṉamar karamuṭai yīrumai vāzhththiya / gñāṉasam banthaṉa thamizhē

      Photos

      Photographs

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

      A stone temple wall with a painted sanctum tower rising above it, and another tower in the distance.
      A painted gopuram over the entrance, seen along a paved path with trees on both sides.
      A large tree on the bank of a pond, with a goat standing beside its trunk.
      Tall trees with fine leaves behind a compound wall painted in red and white stripes.
      Two small painted shrine towers with a blue-roofed shelter between them.
      A small pale blue shrine with a seated Vinayakar figure above the doorway.
      A shrine with a Tamil name board and a painted tower, with Dakshinamurthy and two devotees above the door.
      Two bearded stone figures with palms joined, carved in a niche, with a small lamp at their feet.
      A small shrine under a blue canopy, with a blue Tamil board naming it the shrine of Ankarakan.
      A domed shrine roof and a taller painted tower rising above stone walls, with a blue shelter beyond.
      A small shrine, a domed shrine roof and a tower beyond, beside trees and a striped wall.
      A blue-roofed shelter between two painted shrine towers, one with a stone wall at left.