Anantheeswarar Temple,
Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore
Anantheeswarar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Udaiyargudi, a part
of Kattumannarkoil Town in Kattumannarkoil Taluk in
Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Anantheeswarar
and Mother is called as Soundaranayaki. This temple was constructed by Parantaka
Chola I.
Legends
As Lord Shiva was worshipped by Ananthan, one of the
Eight Nagas (snakes), this temple was named Anantheeswarar Temple.
History
For brief details, please refer below link;
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2020/07/anantheeswarar-temple-kattumannarkoil-history.html
The Temple
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam,
Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are in the outer prakaram found facing towards the
sanctum. There is a big Nandhavanam (Flower Garden) around the temple. The
sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Arthamandapam. Presiding
Deity is called as Anantheeswarar and is facing east. Lord is housed in the
sanctum in the form of small Linga. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar,
Brahma and Durgai are the Koshta Idols located around sanctum walls.
Mother is called as Soundaranayaki. Her shrine is
situated in the Mukhamandapam facing south. Somaskandar is holding a cobra in
his hand. This is the parihara Sthalam for the snake Dosham. A Nandhi’s head is
installed on the wall of a South prakaram and was told that this was the
remains of the Nandhi damaged during invasion of foreigners.
There are shrines for Navagrahas, Bairavar, Chandran,
Suryan, Anugraha Vinayagar, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasena,
Vaidhyanatha Swami, Dhandapani, Arunachaleswarar, Mahalakshmi, Chandikeswarar
and Saneeswarar in the Temple premises. Theertham associated with this Temple
is Surya Chandra Pushkarini.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 08.30 AM to 12.00 Noon and
04.30 PM to 08.30 PM.
Festivals
Chithra Pournami, Vaikasi Visakam, 10 days Vaikasi
Brahmotsavam, Aani Thirumanjanam, Aadi Velli Tiruvilakku Pooja, Aavani Moolam,
9 days Navaratri festival, Aipasi Annabishekam, Aipasi Skantha Sashti,
Karthigai Theerthavari Soma Vara Abishekam 108 Sankabishegam, Margazhi Arudhra
Darshan, Thai Krithikai, Masi Maha Shivarathri and Panguni Uthiram are the
festivals celebrated here with much fanfare. Monthly Pradoshams are also
observed here.
Contact
Anantheeswarar Temple,
Udaiyargudi, Kattumannarkoil,
Cuddalore District – 608 301
Mobile: +91 94864 57124
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 200 meters from Kattumannarkoil
Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 19 Kms from Sethiyathope, 27 Kms
from Chidambaram, 27 Kms from Chidambaram Railway Station, 30 Kms from Srimushnam,
34 Kms from Sirkazhi, 69 Kms from Cuddalore, 145 Kms from Trichy Airport and
219 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated on Chidambaram – Trichy
Highway. Take Chennai – Mayavaram Train (Chozhan / Uzhavan / Mannai / Karaikal
Exp) and get down at Chidambaram. From Chidambaram, buses ply every half hour
to Kattu Mannar Koil (about 45 minutes).