Virudhagireeshwarar Temple, Virudhachalam, Cuddalore
Virudhagireeshwarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Virudhachalam Town in Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is also known as Pazhamalai Nathar Temple and is situated on the northern banks of Manimuthar River. Virudhachalam is also called as Thiru Mudukundram. Presiding Deity is called as Virudhagireeshwarar / Pazhamalai Nathar / Mudhu Kundrar. Mother is called as Periya Nayagi / Viruthambigai / Balambikai / Ilaya Nayaki.
The temple is praised by the three Saivite Saints Gnanasambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar in their Thevaram hymns. This is the 41st Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 9th Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. The Temple is considered holier than Kasi. Hence this place is also called as Virutha Kasi. Of the 1008 Shiva shrines of the country considered in high esteem, four lead this divine list of which Virudhachalam is one.
Legends
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History
The ancient Chola temple of Vriddhagiriswarar was commissioned by Sembiyan Mahadevi, among the most powerful queens of the Chola empire and an ardent worshipper of Lord Siva. The innermost structures i.e. the inner sanctum and the Ardhamandapam belong to her period. The chains of the temple car were donated by Charles Hyde, the District Collector of the then district in 1813.
The Temple
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Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Festivals
Monthly and yearly festivals are performed in a grand manner. 10-day Brahmmotsavam drawing a huge crowd of devotees with a car festival on the 9th day in Masi (February-March); 10-day Aadi Pooram especially for Ambica with Wedding Festival and flag hoisting and Ambica procession; 10-day Vaikasi Vasanth Utsavam in May-June; Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July; Arudra Darshan in December-January; Skanda Sashti-Soora Samharam in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Special abishek is performed to procession deity Peria Nayakar on Poornima-full moon days. The devotee crowd in the temple is usually huge on Poornima-full moon and Amavasya-new moon days.
Literary Mention
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Prayers
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Contact
Virudhagireeshwarar Temple,
Virudhachalam – 606 001,
Virudhachalam Post,
Cuddalore District
Phone: +91 4143 230 203
Connectivity
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