Sattaiyappar Temple, Nagapattinam
Sattaiyappar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva located at Nagapattinam Town in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. This
Temple is also called as Aadhi Kayarohaneshwarar Temple. Presiding Deity is
called as Sattaiyappar / Aadhi Kayarohaneshwarar / Aadhi Puranar and Mother is
called as Ikshurasa Bhashini / Karupanjaru Kuralal. It is believed that this is
one of the Mada temple built by Kochengata Chola.
Legends
Mada
Kovil:
Kochengat Chola was a Chola king and one
of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is
believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an
elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. He
had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer.
His mother, looking into the babies red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king,
Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was
named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and
built 70 Maadakovils, temples with elevated structure where elephants
cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one
of the temple built by him.
Pundareega
Theertham:
Pundareega Maharishi established an Ashram and
consecrated a Linga and named the Shiva as Aadhi Puranar. Every day he bathed
in the river and worshipped the lord. Lord Shiva was overwhelmed by his devotion
and he hugged him with himself and therefore he was called as Kayarohanar
meaning one who hugs the others body. The pond in which he bathed was named
after him as Pundareega Theertham.
Aadhi
Kayarohaneshwarar Temple:
This temple is ancient and built before Nagapattinam Kayarohaneshwarar
Temple. Hence this Temple is known as Aadhi Kayarohaneshwarar Temple.
The
Temple
The is a big Temple with the Temple Pond inside the Temple
premises. The Temple is having three tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance.
Presiding Deity is called as Sattaiyappar / Aadhi Kayarohaneshwarar / Aadhi
Puranar and Mother is called as Ikshurasa Bhashini / Karupanjaru Kuralal.
Theertham associated with this Temple is Pundareega Theertham. The Dhakshinamoorthy
here is very special. The Sattainathar Sannidhi is a very special sannidhi as
he is present with his consort here. Therefore, this temple was also known as Sattainathar
Temple.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 600 meters from
Nagapattinam Neelayadakshi Kayarohaneshwarar Temple, 1 Km from Anna Silai Bus
Stop, 1 Km from Nagapattinam Railway Junction, 1.5 Kms from Nagapattinam New
Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Nagore and 145 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is
situated in the heart of Nagapattinam Town. Nearest Railway Station is located
at Nagapattinam and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
