Visited on: November 3, 2017.
Location
Annappan Pettai is situated at a distance of about 14 kms from Sirkazhi on the Sirkazhi to Thiruvenkadu route (via Mangaimadam). From Mangaimadam, take the diversion road to Thirunakari and reach Konaiyampattinam and then proceed to this temple.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Sirkazhi, Thirukkolakka, Mayiladuthurai, Vilanagar, Thiruppallavaneecharam (Poompuhar), Chayavanam, Thiruvenkadu, Kezhai Thirukkattuppalli, Sembanar Koil, Nani Palli, Valampuram (Mela Perumpallam), Thalaichangadu, Aakkur, Thirukkadaiyur and Thirukkadaiyur Mayanam.
General information
- Moolavar
- Sri Sundareswarar
- Ambal
- Sri Sundarambal, Sri Azhagammai, Sri Azhaguvana Mulaiyammai
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Ambuli Theertham / Chandra 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 8th 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 east facing temple has no main tower (Rajagopuram) but it has a beautiful arch at the entrance.
There is no Flag post (Kodimaram) here.
The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 09.02.2017.
History of the temple
This ancient temple is located on the southern banks of the river Uppanaru. This temple is also very close to the Bay of Bengal, near Poompuhar.
In ancient times, this place was densely covered with Vilva trees. Hence this place gets the name “Vilvaranyam” and the lord here is praised as Sri Vilva Vana Nathar.
Lord Shiva of this temple is believed to be the lord who removes hardships (“kali” in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name Kalikkamur.
The historical names of this place are Vilvaranyam and Thirukkalikkamur. However, now this place is known as Annappan Pettai.
This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).
Legend
The legend of this temple involves Sage Shakti, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. When his wife Thirashanti was pregnant, Sage Shakti was killed by a demon called Udhiran. His son Parasarar was very sad when he learnt of the death of his father. He grew into a great scholar of Vedas and scriptures and became a learned sage. He conducted a yagna to take revenge on the demon Udhiran. He also successfully exacted his revenge. However, to seek absolution for the sin that he had accrued by killing a person, he started visiting many Shiva temples. It is believed that he was granted darshan by Lord Shiva in this temple. As requested by Sage Parasarar, Lord Shiva stayed here in the form of a Shivalingam and is now praised as Sri Sundareswarar (“Sundaram” means beauty in Tamil).
It is believed that Sage Parasarar was an expert in astrology, hence those who are interested in astrology can visit this temple and worship the lord to seek his blessings.
As per the Sthala Puranam of this temple, once a trader was suffering from continuous and severe stomach pain. He visited Thirumullaivayil Shiva temple, a nearby place, and worshiped the lord there. He got some relief from his pain. Thereafter, he continued his travel along the seashore. On his way, he found an idol of a goddess and prayed to her. To his surprise, he was completely relieved of his stomach pain. He came to know that this idol was found in the sea by some fishermen. When he was resting, it is believed that the lord’s divine voice was heard directing him to come to this temple. He took the idol also along with him to this temple and installed it there. Interestingly, prior to his visit, there was no idol of Goddess Parvathy here.
To commemorate this event, during the Theerthavari (a bathing festival), the idol of Goddess Parvathy alone is brought to the sea shore. The idol of Lord Shiva is not brought.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Selva Siddhi Vinayakar, Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, Mahalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Kailasanathar, Vinayakar, Bhadrakali, Bairavar, Suryan, Navagraham and Sage Paraasar can be seen in the corridors.
There is a separate shrine for Goddess Akhilandeswari with Lord Vilvanathar in the corridor.
Salient features
There are two Vinayakars at the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum on either side in the form of Dwarapalakas.
Goddess Durgai is not present here but an idol of Goddess Bhadrakali with 8 hands can be seen blessing the devotees.
Those who have prolonged and incurable stomach pain can worship the lord by reciting this temple’s Pathigam for 11 consecutive Mondays. Devotees can even do this at their home. On the 12th Monday, they can visit this temple to worship the lord. By doing so, it is believed that their stomach ailments will be cured.
Devotees believe that it is beneficial to consume the “Vilva” leaves used for the pooja of the lord. It is also given as prasad to all devotees. It is believed that these vilva leaves have medicinal properties.
The idols in the Navagraha are seen without their respective mounts (Vahanam).
Greatness of this temple
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, in his Pathigam, mentioned that if devotees worship Lord Shiva of this temple, they would be cured of their ailments and would be blessed with happiness and prosperity.
Important festivals
Some of the major festivals celebrated in this temple are –
Theerthavari on the full moon day in the Tamil month Masi (Feb-Mar),
Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar),
Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov),
Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct) and
Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan).
Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Temple timings
From 08.00 AM to 10.00 AM.
Temple address
Sri Sundareswarar Temple,
Thirukalikamoor, Annappanpettai,
Thenampattinam Post,
Mangaimadam Via,
Sirkali Taluk,
Nagapattinam District
Tamil Nadu - 609 106.
Tele: +91- 93605 77673, 97879 29799.
The temple Priest Sri N.Rajamani Gurukkal can be contacted at: 97151 70451.
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