Sundareswarar Temple, Panaiyandur, Cuddalore
Sundareswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Panaiyandur Village in Thittagudi Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar and Mother is called as Meenakshi.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance
arch. The Temple covers an area of about 0.5 acre. Nandi and Balipeedam can be
found immediately after the entrance arch facing the sanctum. The Sanctum
Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Dvarapalas
can be seen on either side at the entrance of the Artha Mandapam. Vinayaga and
Murugan can be found at the entrance of the Artha Mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar and is facing
east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. There is an
inscription dated to Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola I in the northern wall of the
sanctum and another inscription dated to Veera Rajendra Chola in the southern
wall of the sanctum. Lord is mentioned as Brahmeeswaramudaiyar Nayanar in the
inscriptions.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga
are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine
can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Meenakshi. She is housed
in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine consists of Mukha Mandapam and
Sanctum. Her shrine is situated on the left side of sanctum. Nandi and
Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum.
There is a shrine for Lord Murugan behind the sanctum.
It is said that sun rays fall on Lord Murugan on 15th, 16th,
17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st
of Tamil Month of Aadi at 08.00 A.M. to 08.15 A.M. There are shrines for
Vinayagar, Murugan, 63 Nayanmars, Navagrahas, Bhairavar and Suryan in the
temple premises. Idols dated to Rajendra Chola I period are kept in a separate
Mandapam.
Connectivity
The temple is located at about 6 Kms from Korakkavadi, 8
Kms from Koogaiyur, 17 Kms from Aragalur, 18 Kms from Chinna Salem Railway
Station, 19 Kms from Thozhuthur, 19 Kms from Thozhuthur Bus Stand, 34 Kms from
Thittagudi and 100 Kms from Trichy Airport. Devotees need to travel in
Thozhuthur to Aragalur Route and then take a diversion road at Korakkavadi
towards Nainar Palayam to reach this temple.
