Thirukaram Thondreeswarar Temple, Kattumayilur,
Cuddalore
Thirukaram Thondreeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kattumayilur Village in Virudhachalam Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thirukaram Thondreeswarar and Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. The Temple is believed to be built by Cholas.
Legends
As per legend, Sage Bharatama wanted Mother Parvathi to be born as his daughter. He performed severe penance to achieve his wish. Mother Parvathi was born to him as he wished. She grew and attained marriageable age. Once, she made a Shiva Lingam out of sand in the banks of the River and stared worshipping daily. One day, a hand raised from the sand Linga and held Mother Parvathi hand for marriage. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Karam Thondreeswarar.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Vinayaga and Murugan. The Temple covers an area of about 2 acres. Nandi housed in a Mandapam and Balipeedam can be found in front of the entrance arch, outside the temple premises. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the entrance facing the sanctum.
The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Stucco Dvarapalas can be seen at the entrance of the Artha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Thirukaram Thondreeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated on the left side of the sanctum. There is a 100 years old Vanni tree on the left side immediately after the entrance. Two Vinayagars and Naga Idols can be seen beneath this tree. There are shrines for Selva Vinayagar, Annamalaiyar, Vishnu, Navagrahas and Murugan in the temple premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Seppakkam, 8
Kms from Veppur, 12 Kms from Koothakudi Railway Station, 22 Kms from
Thittagudi, 25 Kms from Ulundurpet, 27 Kms from Virudhachalam and 109 Kms from
Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Veppur to Ulundurpet route.