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Saturday, April 11, 2020

Shiva Thandeswarar Temple, Sendurai, Ariyalur

Shiva Thandeswarar Temple, Sendurai, Ariyalur
Shiva Thandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Sendurai Town in Sendurai Taluk in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Sendurai Mahadevar Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Shiva Thandeswarar / Theerkapureeswarar and Mother is called as Prashanna Nayagi. The Temple conducts 4 rituals daily. This temple is administrated by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department Tamilnadu.


Legends
Theerkapureeswarar:
Once, a forest near this place was called as Neivanam. A Maha Siddha used to live in this forest. Hence, the village came to be called as Siddhar Thurai. Later it got corrupted to Sendurai. It is believed that the Siddha created a lake and named as Siddhar Eri. Now the same lake was called as Siddheri. It is also believed that the Siddhar installed a Shiva Linga under a Vilwam tree and started worshipping Lord Shiva. He acquired Ashtama Siddhi due to his intense prayers. People from the nearby areas visited him for his blessings.
A local chieftain from Pazhuvettaraiyar clan ruling the surrounding area came to know about the Siddhar. He visited him. On seeing the Chieftain, Siddhar instructed him to build a Shiva Temple for child Boon. As instructed, chieftain built this temple by obtaining permission from his overlord Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola and worshipped Lord Shiva sincerely. Later, he was blessed with children. Jeeva Samadhi of the Siddhar is located at the backside of the Temple on the North Street. Since, Lord Shiva fulfilled the wishes of chieftain, he came to be called as Theerkapureeswarar, now he is called as Shiva Thandeswarar.
Sendurai:
The place was abounded with red sands and water resources. Hence it came to be called as Thanpozhil Sendurai. Later got corrupted to Sendurai.
Kaaraikaattu Thanda Naadu:
In ancient times, a part of this place was a forest containing Vela, Tamarind, Karungali, Vanni, Illupai, Vila and Karai Trees. Hence, it came to be called as Kaaraikaattu Thanda Naadu as per the inscriptions of Vikrama Chola.
History
The Temple is believed to be built by a local chieftain from Pazhuvettaraiyar clan who was ruling over the surrounding area. The Temple is believed to be built before the construction of Thanjavur Big Temple. There were about five inscriptions and two copper plate inscriptions, which talks about the antiquity of this Temple. It is also believed that Kundavai Nachiyar, sister of Rajaraja Chola, visited during the construction of this Temple and named the Lord as Mahadevar.


The Temple
The Temple is situated on the north east corner of the town. This is an east facing Temple with five tiered Rajagopuram of about 81 feet high. The Temple has two prakarams. Nandi, Bali Peedam and Dwajastambam can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram. There is an inner gopuram, serves as gateway to the inner prakaram. Yagasala Mandapam and Vahana Mandapam can be found in the area between Rajagopuram and Inner Gopuram. Vinayaga and Murugan can be found on each side of the inner gopuram.


The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Artha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Shiva Thandeswarar / Theerkapureeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. Sun Rays will fall on Lord Shiva on 1st day of Chithirai at 06.05 AM. Vinayaga, Nataraja and Utsava Idols can be seen in the Maha Mandapam. Sanctum Sanctorum is surrounded by cloistered Mandapam. Mother is called as Prashanna Nayagi. She is housed in separate south facing shrine. Chandikeswarar Shrine is situated between sanctum and Mother Shrine.


Madapalli, Sthala Vriksham (Vanni Tree) and Shrines of 63 Nayanmars & Saptha Mathas can be found in the western side of inner prakaram.  Kodi Vinayagar, Naalvar, Shiva Lingam, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Sokkanathar, Vishwanathar, Pancha Lingams and Gaja Lakshmi can be found in the northern side of the inner prakaram. Nataraja Sabha can be found in north east corner of the inner prakaram. Navagraha Shrine is situated next to Nataraja Sabha. Bhairavar, Suryan and Chandran in the form of Lingam can be found in the eastern side of inner prakaram.


Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM to 07.00 PM.
Festivals
10 days Panguni Brahmotsavam, Chithirai Tamil New Year, Vaikasi Visakam, Aani Uthiram, Aadi Pooram, Purattasi Navaratri, Karthigai Deepam, Somavaram, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai, Thai Poosam and Monthly Pradoshams are celebrated here.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 200 meters from Sendurai Bus Stand, 1 Km from Sendurai Railway Station, 20 Kms from Ariyalur, 20 Kms from Udayarpalayam, 24 Kms from Jayamkondam, 34 Kms from Gangaikonda Cholapuram and 105 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Chennai – Trichy Railway Line. Bus facilities are available from Ariyalur, Chennai, Trichy, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Jayamkondan, Thittagudi and Pennadam.