Sarndhaarai Kaatha Easwaran Temple, Thillaiyadi, Nagapattinam

Sarndhaarai Kaatha Easwaran Temple, Thillaiyadi, Nagapattinam

Sarndhaarai Kaatha Easwaran Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Thillaiyadi Village near Thirukkadaiyur in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sarndhaarai Kaatha Easwaran or Saranagatha Ratchagar and Mother is called as Brahanayaki. Sarndhaarai Kaatha Easwaran is believed to have cured Sage Agasthiar of a disease and an idol showing Sri Agasthiar seeking his blessings can be seen at this temple.

This temple was built by a minister of a king without the permission of the King. At the same time the King also constructed a temple. When the kumbhabhishekam date of both temples coincides Lord Shiva in Kings Dream told that he will be attending to the minister’s temple. Based on this the king visited the temple and asked the ministers to give the Palan of constructing this temple. When the minister refused, the King tried to kill him with his word. Lord Shiva appeared and the sword hit the legs of Shiva (crack is visible in the Aalinganamurthy) in Koshtam.

The temple has been a treasure trove of inscriptions dating back to the periods of the Chola, Nayak and Pandya rulers. The inscriptions give details about the Poojai and other rituals performed at the temple. One of the inscriptions pertains to a grant sanctioned by a ruler for performing ‘Rudhra Japam’.

There are a large number of inscriptions on the northern and southern end of the ‘prakaram’ of Sri Sarndhaarai Kaatha Easwaran, ‘mahamandapam’ and the Vavval netri mandapam besides the entrance at the shrine dedicated to Sri Brahanayaki. The temple was last renovated and ‘mahakumbahbishekam’ performed on September 14, 1997. Devas worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Brahma worshiped in the form of Yazhi. This Shiva Temple is in Thillaiyadi on the way to Thiruvidaikazhi from Thirukkadaiyur.

Therazhundur Vedapureeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Therazhundur Vedapureeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Therazhundur Vedapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Therazhundur in Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu. The historical name of the place is Thirunedungalam. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Vedapureeswarar. His consort is known as Soundara Ambigai. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Sambandar. This is the 38^th sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery.

Vedapureeswarar temple is situated is located on the eastern side of the Tiruvazhundur village. It is located right across a temple for Lord Vishnu which is one of the Divya Desam shrine. The shrine for female deity Soundara Ambikai is situated outside the main Siva temple. Sage Agasthiyar, Markandeyar and Kaveri are said to have obtained salvation at this sthalam. The famous poet Kambar, who authored Kamba Ramayanam, was born at this place. Four worship services are offered each day.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/01/therazhundur-vedapureeswarar-temple.html

The Temple

The presiding deity is Vedapureeswarar facing west and the Ambal Soundara Nayaki. There are two sacred temples here; the Shiva temple is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalams and the Perumal temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams. An interesting fact is that, Perumal and Shiva are facing each other directly. The Shiva temple is at the east end of the road facing west and the Perumal temple is at the west end of the road facing east. This is the birth place of the great Tamil poet Kambar, the author of Kamba Ramayana in Tamil. There is a memorial for Kambar here.

On the 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th days of Maasi month from 5.55 pm to 6.05 pm ‘Sooriya Pooja’ (Sun Worship) is performed. The shrine for female deity Soundara Ambikai is situated outside the main Siva temple. It is one of the 78 Maadakovils built at an elevation by King Kochengata Cholan. The Shivalingam is decorated with the Rudraksha roofing and there is a Rudraksha tree also behind the temple. The Sokkataan mandapam has beautiful paintings. Agasthiar and Cauvery are having separate shrines here.

Sthalavruksham is Sandalwood and Theertham is Siddhamirtham. Sannadhi for Subramaniyar, Navagrahas, Shethra Lingam, Kadambavaneswarar, Valanchuzhi Vinayagar, Cauvery and Agasthiyar are located in this Temple. Thisaibalagar’s paintings and Sudhai Dwarabalagar can be found in this Temple. In koshtam Vinayagar, Thenmugakadavul Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Sathur puja Durgai can be seen. In Navagrahas except Suryan others are facing Suryan and Suryan is facing west. Dhakshinamoorthy is called as Metha Dhakshinamoorthy.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.00 am to 11.30 am and from 5.00pm to 8.30 pm.

Festivals

The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai. Other festivals include Karthikai Deepam, Soorya Pooja in the month of Maasi, Navarathri, Aadipperukku, Aavani Moolam, Vinayaka Chathurthi etc. Flag is hoisted 10 days before Chitra Pournami day and ends with Car festival.

Literary Mention

It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 38th holy place in the southern banks of Kaveri consecrated by Thevaram. Tirugnanasambandar describes the feature of the deity as:

பெரியாய் சிறியாய் பிறையாய் மிடறு
கரியாய் கரிகா டுயர்வீ டுடையாய்
அரியாய் ஒளியாய் அழுந்தை மறையோர்
வெரியார் தொழமா மடம்மே வினையே

Prayers

Those, who desire their beauty should be appreciated by others, pray to Ambal. When their prayer is granted, they perform Abhishekam for Swami and Ambal, and offer new clothes.

Contact

Arulmigu Vedapureeswarar Tirukkovil,

Therazhundur Post – 609 808

Mayiladuthurai Taluk,

Nagapattinam District

Phone: +91 – 4364 – 237 650

Connectivity

This Shivasthalam temple is located at Therazhundur, 11 Kms from Mayiladuthurai. Bus facilities from Mayiladuthurai are available. From Mayiladuthurai proceed towards Kumbakonam via Kuthalam. After about 8 kms, there will be a diversion on the left side to Komal. (At the junction, you will find a Vinayagar temple. It seems when Thirugnana Sambandhar visited this place he was confused on which way to proceed and this Vinayagar guided him. So he is called as Vazhikatti Vinayagar). Proceed further towards Komal for around 3 kms and you will reach Therazhundhoor. Nearest Railway Station is located at Mayiladuthurai and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.