A tiered stone gopuram beside a long temple wall, with a lit golden arch on the roof, at dusk.

Swayambu

Thirupachur Sri Vaacheeswarar temple 16th of 32 in Thondai Nadu · Temples near Chennai

Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

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Moolavar: Vaacheeswarar, Pachura NatharSri Pambatteeswarar, Pasupatheeswarar
Ambal: Pasupathi Nayaki, Than-kathali AmmaiSri Suyamohanambal
Theertham: Chozha Theertham, Mangala Theertham
Sthala vriksham: Bamboo
Pathigam by: Thirugnanasambanthar-1Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-2

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 17 July 20161,000 words · 5 min

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016 and 23^rd November, 2016

Location

Thirupachur temple is at a distance of about 3 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to Arakkonam route.

Nearest railway station is in Kadambathur which is at a distance of about 4 kms from this temple. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu, Chennai.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thirupachur are – Ilambaiyangkottor (22 kms), Thiruvirkolam (18 kms), Thakkolam (25 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) (14 kms) and Thiruvalangadu (15 kms).

General Information

Moolavar: Sri Vaacheeswarar, Sri Pachura Nathar
Sri Pambatteeswarar, Sri Pasupatheeswarar
Ambal: Sri Pasupathi Nayaki, Sri Than-kathali Ammai
Sri Suyamohanambal
Theertham (Holy water): Chozha Theertham, Mangala Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Bamboo
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by: Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-1
Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-2

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.

History of the Temple

It is believed that Chola King Karikalan had built this temple.

The place is also called Than-kathalipuram after the name of Goddess Thangathali. Other historical names of this place are Mayapuri, Abhayapuram, Manickapuri and Cholapuram.

A painted arch with a bull and deity figures over a narrow road, with a temple tower in the distance.

Legend

According to legend, in ancient times this region was densely covered with bamboo trees. It is believed that everyday a shepherd who was carrying milk would trip over a bush and fall down at one particular place. Angered by his regular loss of milk, one day he decided to clear the bushes. While cutting down the bushes with his axe, he found a lingam that was bleeding. Frightened, the shepherd informed about this to the local people who in turn informed the king. The king ordered a temple to be built there.

The scars on the lingam due to the use of the axe can still be seen. Also, the lingam is slightly leaning towards the left side. Owing to the scar on the lingam, this lingam is not touched by human hands and pujas are performed without touching the deity.

Bamboo is called “Pasu – Moongil” in Tamil. Since the lord here is believed to have been found in a bamboo forest, he is named “Sri Pachura Nathar” and the place is called “Thirupachur”.

A cream-coloured tiered gopuram over a stone base, with devotees walking in the courtyard.

A tall clump of bamboo growing behind a weathered whitewashed wall.

A tall red flag post on a stepped base beside a covered walkway and a small stone shrine.

A small pillared stone shrine with red and blue bands, with a tall bamboo clump and a temple wall behind.

Another legend associated with this temple is that once, a local chieftain called Kurumban failed to pay the taxes that were owed to his liege lord - the Chola King Karikalan. Kurumban was an ardent devotee of Goddess Kali. When the king invaded his region for recovering the dues, the chieftain prayed to Kali who helped him defeat the king and his army.

The king, being a Shiva devotee, prayed to Lord Shiva for his help. Lord Shiva sent Nandhi to control and bind Kali. Nandhi defeated Kali and bound her with a golden chain. To honour this incident, this temple has a shrine for “Swarna Kali” where Goddess Kali’s legs are bound. Evening pujas are performed in this shrine on full moon days.

It is also believed that when Chola King Karikalan was constructing this temple, his enemy Kurumban with the help of some Jains (samanar) had sent a poisonous snake in a container to kill the King. Without knowing what was in it, he tried to open the container but Lord Shiva came in the form of a snake charmer, saved his life and blessed him. Hence the lord here is also known as “Pambatteswarar” ("Pambatti" means snake charmer in Tamil).

A dark figure draped in red cloth with yellow eyes on a raised platform, with a Tamil name painted on the wall above.

A row of dark stone Vinayakar images dressed in white cloth, each in front of a gilded arch.

A tiered gopuram on the left and a blue temple wall with a small stone shrine in front, at dusk.

A tiered gopuram covered in sculptures above a dark stone base with an open entrance.

It is said that Goddess Parvathi worshipped Lord Shiva here. Pleased by her penance, it is believed that Lord Shiva addressed her as “Than-kathali” (meaning “beloved” in Tamil).

It is also said that Lord Mahavishnu worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple to seek absolution for the sin that he had accrued by killing the demons (asuras) - Madhu and Kaithaba, who were believed to have stolen the vedas. As Lord Shiva absolved Lord Mahavishnu’s sins here, he is also praised as “Perumal Vinai Theertha Easwarar”.

It is believed that Chandran and sage Kaushika have also worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Deities in the temple

Apart from the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, there are shrines and idols of Swarna Kali, Lords Vinayagar, Mahavishnu, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar, Murugan with his consorts, Lord Brahma, Durgai, Nalvar, Navagraham, Somaskandhar and Sabtha Kannigaikal.

Salient Features

Both Lord Shiva and Goddess Than-kathali’s shrines are east facing.

Here, Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is on the right side to Lord Shiva’s shrine. Such temples are considered very auspicious.

The unique feature of this temple is that the shrines of Lord Shiva’s entire family are in a straight line. Goddess Than-kathali’s shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva and in between we can see the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Murugan with his consorts.

There is a group of 11 Vinayakars placed in a hall in the middle of this temple - called “Ekadasa Vinayagar” (Ekadasa means 11 in Sanskrit). This is another unique feature of this temple.

The “Sri Chakra” installed by Sri Adi Sankara can be seen in the hall in front of Lord Shiva’s shrine (Artha Mandapam).

Greatness of this temple

Devotees pray to Goddess Than-kathali for conjugal unity. Also, devotees pray for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals.

Important Festivals

10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Margazhi Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) and Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March) are the major festivals celebrated in the temple. Every month Pradosham is also observed.

Temple Timings

07.00 AM to 12.00 noon and 04.00 PM to 08.00 PM

Temple Address

Sri Vaseeswarar Temple
Thirupachur
Kadambathur Post
Thiruvallur Via and District
Tamil Nadu-631203.
Tele: +91 98944 86890.

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Today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Phone+91 98944 86890

What makes this temple special

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

Greatness

Shrines of Lord Shiva's family in one line

The shrines of Lord Shiva's family stand in a straight line, and a hall holds a group of Vinayakar images.

A straight line of shrinesGoddess Than-kathali's shrine is on the right of Lord Shiva, with the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Murugan with his consorts in between.
Ekadasa VinayagarA group of Vinayakars is placed in a hall in the middle of the temple.
Gaja Brishtam vimanamThe vimanam of the sanctum is designed in the Gaja Brishtam style, which looks like the rear of an elephant.
Ambal on the rightGoddess Parvathy's shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva's shrine; such temples are considered very auspicious.

Significance

A self-manifested lingam, sung in the Thevaram

The Lord here is a Swayambumurthi and a Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam, with pathigams by two saints.

SwayambumurthiLord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
Not touched by human handsThe lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is Theendathirumeni.
Paadal Petra SthalamIt is one of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams in Thondai Nadu.
Sung by two saintsSaint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) rendered pathigams for this temple.

Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come to pray for harmony in marriage and for obstacles in marriage proposals to be removed.

For conjugal unity: Goddess Than-kathaliDevotees pray to Goddess Than-kathali for conjugal unity.
For marriage: removal of obstaclesDevotees also pray for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals.
For the festivalsBrahmotsavam, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai and Maha Shivrathri are the major festivals, and Pradosham is observed every month.

The Rajagopuram and the temple wall at dusk.

276Paadal Petra Sthalams

Paadal Petra Sthalams

The name Pachura Nathar

பசுbamboo (Pasu – Moongil)

The Lord was found in a bamboo forest, so he is named Sri Pachura Nathar and the place Thirupachur.

Than-kathalipuram, Mayapuri, Abhayapuram, Manickapuri, Cholapuram

Legends of the temple

A shepherd clearing bushes with his axe found a lingam that was bleeding, and the king ordered a temple built there.

Lord Shiva sent Nandhi, who defeated Kali and bound her with a golden chain.

Lord Shiva came as a snake charmer, saved the king's life and blessed him.

Lord Mahavishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here to seek absolution for his sin of killing the asuras Madhu and Kaithaba.

Prayers at this temple

Goddess Than-kathaliDevotees pray for conjugal unity.
Marriage proposalsDevotees pray for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals.

Saints who sang here

Saint ThirugnanasambantharRendered a Pathigam for this temple.
Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)Rendered a Pathigam for this temple.

Festivals through the year

Brahmotsavam, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai and Maha Shivrathri are the major festivals, with Pradosham every month.

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

Moolavarவா

Moolavar

Sri Vaacheeswarar

Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). Since he is believed to have been found in a bamboo forest, he is named Sri Pachura Nathar.

Ambalத

Ambal

Sri Than-kathali Ammai

Pleased by Goddess Parvathi's penance, Lord Shiva addressed her as Than-kathali, meaning beloved in Tamil. Her shrine is east facing, on the right side of Lord Shiva's shrine.

Shrine in the temple

Swarna Kali

To honour the incident in which Nandhi bound Kali with a golden chain, this temple has a shrine for Swarna Kali where Goddess Kali's legs are bound. Evening pujas are performed here on full moon days.

Shrine in the hall

Ekadasa Vinayagar

A group of Vinayakars is placed in a hall in the middle of this temple, called Ekadasa Vinayagar. This is another unique feature of the temple.

Shrine in the templeம

Shrine in the temple

Mahavishnu

There are shrines and idols of Lords Vinayagar, Mahavishnu, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar and Murugan with his consorts, among others.

Sacred geography

You are hereThis temple

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

Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

7:00 – 12:004:00 – 8:00 pm

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

Plan the day around it

Address and phone

Sri Vaseeswarar Temple, Thirupachur, Kadambathur Post, Thiruvallur Via and District, Tamil Nadu-631203.

+91 98944 86890

A day of darshan nearby

5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 45 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 arch

Thirupachur temple is at a distance of about 3 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to Arakkonam route.

1 / 5

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

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.

Sinthai yidaiyār thalaiyiṉ misaiyār señchollār

vanthu mālai vaikum pōzhtheṉ maṉathuḷḷār

mainthar maṇāḷa reṉṉa makizhvā rūrpōlum `

painthaṇ māthavi sōlai chūzhntha pāsūrē

The poet speaks of the Lord who dwells in the minds of his devotees and is the one of true words. He abides in the poet's mind even as evening comes. The Lord is pleased to be called the bridegroom of the youths, and his town is Pasur, surrounded by cool green groves of madhavi creepers.

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

01
சிந்தை யிடையார் தலையின் மிசையார் செஞ்சொல்லார்வந்து மாலை வைகும் போழ்தென் மனத்துள்ளார்மைந்தர் மணாள ரென்ன மகிழ்வா ரூர்போலும்`பைந்தண் மாதவி சோலை சூழ்ந்த பாசூரே

Sinthai yidaiyār thalaiyiṉ misaiyār señchollār / vanthu mālai vaikum pōzhtheṉ maṉathuḷḷār / mainthar maṇāḷa reṉṉa makizhvā rūrpōlum ` / painthaṇ māthavi sōlai chūzhntha pāsūrē
02
பேரும் பொழுதும் பெயரும் பொழுதும் பெம்மானென்றாருந் தனையும் அடியா ரேத்த அருள்செய்வார்ஊரும் அரவம் உடையார் வாழும் ஊர்போலும்பாரின் மிசையார் பாட லோவாப் பாசூரே

Pērum pozhuthum peyarum pozhuthum pem'māṉeṉ / tṟārun thaṉaiyum adiyā rētha aruḷseyvār / ūrum aravam udaiyār vāzhum ūrpōlum / pāriṉ misaiyār pāda lōvāp pāsūrē
03
கையால் தொழுது தலைசாய்த் துள்ளங் கசிவார்கள்மெய்யார் குறையுந் துயருந் தீர்க்கும் விமலனார்நெய்யா டுதலஞ் சுடையார் நிலாவும் ஊர்போலும்பைவாய் நாகங் கோட லீனும் பாசூரே

Kaiyāl thozhuthu thalaisāyht thuḷḷaṅ kasivārkaḷ / meyyār kuṟaiyun thuyarun thīrkkum vimalaṉār / neyyā duthalañ chudaiyār nilāvum ūrpōlum / paivāy nākaṅ kōda līṉum pāsūrē
04
பொங்கா டரவும் புனலுஞ் சடைமேல் பொலிவெய்தக்கொங்கார் கொன்றை சூடியென் னுள்ளங் குளிர்வித்தார்தங்கா தலியுந் தாமும் வாழும் ஊர்போலும்பைங்கான் முல்லை பல்லரும் பீனும் பாசூரே

Poṅkā daravum puṉaluñ chaṭaimēl poliveythak / koṅkār koṉtṟai chūṭiyeṉ ṉuḷḷaṅ kuḷirvithār / thaṅkā thaliyun thāmum vāzhum ūrpōlum / paiṅkāṉ mullai pallarum pīṉum pāsūrē
05
ஆடற் புரியும் ஐவா யரவொன் றரைச்சாத்தும்சேடச் செல்வர் சிந்தையு ளென்றும் பிரியாதார்வாடற் றலையிற் பலிதேர் கையார் ஊர்போலும்பாடற் குயில்கள் பயில்பூஞ் சோலைப் பாசூரே

Ādaṟ puriyum aivā yaravoṉ tṟaraichāthum / sēṭach chelvar chinthaiyu ḷeṉtṟum piriyāthār / vādatṟa laiyiṟ palithēr kaiyār ūrpōlum / pādaṟ kuyilkaḷ payilpūñ chōlaip pāsūrē
06
கானின் றதிரக் கனல்வாய் நாகம் கச்சாகத்தோலொன் றுடையார் விடையார் தம்மைத் தொழுவார்கள்மால்கொண் டோ ட மையல் தீர்ப்பார் ஊர்போலும்பால்வெண் மதிதோய் மாடஞ்சூழ்ந்த பாசூரே

Kāṉiṉ tṟathirak kaṉalvāy nākam kachākath / thōloṉ tṟudaiyār vidaiyār tham'maith thozhuvārkaḷ / mālkoṇ dō da maiyal thīrppār ūrpōlum / pālveṇ mathithōy mādañchūzhntha pāsūrē
07
கண்ணின் அயலே கண்ணொன் றுடையார் கழலுன்னிஎண்ணுந் தனையும் அடியா ரேத்த அருள்செய்வார்உண்ணின் றுருக உவகை தருவார் ஊர்போலும்பண்ணின் மொழியார் பாட லோவாப் பாசூரே

Kaṇṇiṉ ayalē kaṇṇoṉ tṟudaiyār kazhaluṉṉi / eṇṇun thaṉaiyum adiyā rētha aruḷseyvār / uṇṇiṉ tṟuruka uvakai tharuvār ūrpōlum / paṇṇiṉ mozhiyār pāda lōvāp pāsūrē
08
தேசு குன்றாத் தெண்ணீ ரிலங்கைக் கோமானைக்கூச அடர்த்துக் கூர்வாள் கொடுப்பார் தம்மையேபேசிப் பிதற்றப் பெருமை தருவார் ஊர்போலும்பாசித் தடமும் வயலும் சூழ்ந்த பாசூரே

Thēsu kuṉtṟāth theṇṇī rilaṅkaik kōmāṉaik / kūsa adarthuk kūrvāḷ koduppār tham'maiyē / pēsip pithatṟap perumai tharuvār ūrpōlum / pāsith thadamum vayalum cūzhntha pāsūrē
09
நகுவாய் மலர்மேல் அயனும் நாகத் தணையானும்புகுவா யறியார் புறம்நின் றோரார் போற்றோவார்செகுவாய் உகுபற் றலைசேர் கையார் ஊர்போலும்பகுவாய் நாரை ஆரல் வாரும் பாசூரே

Nakuvāy malarmēl ayaṉum nākath thaṇaiyāṉum / pukuvā yaṟiyār puṟamniṉ tṟōrār pōtṟōvār / sekuvāy ukupaṟ tṟalaisēr kaiyār ūrpōlum / pakuvāy nārai āral vārum pāsūrē
10
தூய வெயில்நின் றுழல்வார் துவர்தோய் ஆடையர்நாவில் வெய்ய சொல்லித் திரிவார் நயமில்லார்காவல் வேவக் கணையொன் றெய்தார் ஊர்போலும்பாவைக் குரவம் பயில்பூஞ் சோலைப் பாசூரே

Thūya veyilniṉ tṟuzhalvār thuvarthōy ādaiyar / nāvil veyya sollith thirivār nayamillār / kāval vēvak kaṇaiyoṉ tṟeythār ūrpōlum / pāvaik kuravam payilpūñ chōlaip pāsūrē
11
ஞானம் உணர்வான் காழி ஞான சம்பந்தன்தேனும் வண்டும் இன்னிசை பாடுந் திருப்பாசூர்க்கானம் முறைவார் கழல்சேர் பாடல் இவைவல்லார்ஊனம் இலராய் உம்பர் வானத் துறைவாரே

The last verse names Gnana Sambandan of Kazhi as the singer, and says that those who can recite this song on Thiruppasur will be free of flaw and dwell in the heavens.

Gnāṉam uṇarvāṉ kāzhi gñāṉa sambanthaṉ / thēṉum vaṇdum iṉṉisai pādun thiruppāsūrk / kāṉam muṟaivār kazhalsēr pādal ivaivallār / ūṉam ilarāy umpar vāṉath thuṟaivārē

Photographs

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