Thiruvanantheeswarar Temple, Ma Pudaiyur, Cuddalore
Thiruvanantheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva located in Ma Pudaiyur Village in Thittagudi Taluk in Cuddalore
District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thiruvanantheeswarar and
Mother is called as Thirupura Sundari. The Temple is believed to be built by
Cholas.
Legends
It is believed that Anandan, a Naga, worshipped Lord
Shiva here. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Thiruvanantheeswarar.
The Temple
The Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch.
The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Lord Vinayaga
and Lord Murugan. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and
Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Thiruvanantheeswarar and is facing
east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. There are life size
sculptures of Chola Kings in worshipping posture can be seen on either sides in
Sanctum.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are
the Kosha idols located around the sanctum walls. There is a relief depicting
the legend of the temple i.e. a snake worshipping Lord Shiva and King with his
family in worshipping posture can be seen near Vinayaga in Koshta.
Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. There are several
inscriptions on the Adhistana of the Sanctum.
Mother is called as Thirupura Sundari. She is housed in
a separate east facing shrine. There is an ancient Dakshinamoorthy idol can be
seen at the entrance of Mother Shrine. It might be the original Koshta Idol
once. There is a shrine for Lord Murugan in between sanctum and Mother Shrine.
Thus, forming Somaskanda formation. He is having 12 hands and found seated on
peacock. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Ayyapan and Navagrahas in the temple
premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Veppur, 12
Kms from Tholudur, 16 Kms from Thittagudi, 25 Kms from Koothakudi Railway
Station, 31 Kms from Pennadam Railway Station, 98 Kms from Cuddalore and 97 Kms
from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Tholudur to Veppur Route.
Location
