Sundareswarar Temple, Panaiyandur, Cuddalore

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 15^th, 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, 19^th, 20^th and 21^st 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.

Location