Gopurapuram Adishaktheeswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Gopurapuram, Palakollai Via,

Virudhachalam Taluk,

Cuddalore District – 606 003

Phone: +91 4143 260 216 Mobile: +91 84891 15307

Moolavar

Adishaktheeswarar

Amman

Adishaktiswari

Introduction

Aadhi Saktheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thevasthana Gopurapuram Village in Virudhachalam Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Saktheeswarar and Mother is called as Aadhi Saktheeswari. The Temple is situated on Virudhachalam to Aladi Route.

Puranic Significance

Nandi Parayanar: It is said that Nandi Parayanar, a renowned Siddhar, performed penance in this village for several years. Local King paid a visit to this Sidhar in a grand procession. When the Siddhar opened his eyes all the people who accompanied the King and King himself went to Yogic state. Realizing his power, the king worshipped him immediately. As per Siddhar instruction, the local king built this Temple for the Linga worshipped by the Siddhar.

Sasivarnar: As per legend, a brahmin named Sasivarnar became addicted to meat and alcohol. He was afflicted with skin disease due to the bad habits. He came to Siddhar Nandi Parayanar for relief. Siddhar advised him to take bath in the temple pond for relief. Sasivarnar did as per Siddhar instruction and got relief from the skin disease. He became his disciple and attained Mukthi at this Temple.

Aadhi Saktheeswaram: It is believed that Uma Devi worshipped Lord Shiva in ancient times. Hence, the place came to be called as Aadhi Saktheeswaram.

Thevasthana Gopurapuram: It is also believed that Nandi helped Mother Uma Devi in her worship of Lord Shiva. Hence, the place came to be called as Goparvatham. Later got corrupted to Gopurapuram. As the temple is under the control of Virudhachalam Vriddhagiriswarar Temple Thevasthanam, the village came to be called as Thevasthana Gopurapuram.

Beliefs

Devotees suffering from skin disease should take bath in the temple pond and worship Lord Shiva for relief.

Special Features

This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be found outside the temple in front of Rajagopuram facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. There is a small Nandi in Artha Mandapam facing the sanctum. The Sanctum is guarded by Dvarapalas. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Saktheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of tall Lingam.

Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. It is said that sun rays fall on top portion of the Lingam daily. It is believed that Lingam is growing daily. Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Sthala Vriksham is Ilandhai Tree. It is situated behind the sanctum. Stucco image of Kamadhenu can be found in a platform below the tree. Mother is called as Aadhi Saktheeswari. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. There is a mandapam attached to the wall running around the inner prakaram. Irattai Vinayagar Shrine can be found in the south west corner of this Mandapam. Shrines of Annamalaiyar with his consort Unnamulai Amman, Kasi Viswanathar with his consort Visalakshi, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Vishnu and Gaja Lakshmi can be found next to Irattai Vinayagar Shrine in this Mandapam. The Temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.

There are also shrines for Bhairavar, Saneeswarar and Navagrahas can be seen in the temple premises. There is an east facing shrine of Nandi Parayanar in the inner prakaram. It is situated close to Ilandhai Tree. Samadhi of Sasivarnar is situated opposite to Nandi Parayanar Shrine. Both the shrines have Peedam over their Samadhi. There is a big pond with five wells on the northern side of the temple. This pond is provided with bathing Ghats.

Festivals

10 days Chithirai Brahmotsavam, Aani Thirumanjanam, Purattasi Arrow Festival, Aippasi Annabishekam, Karthigai Somavaram, Margazhi Arudhra Darisanam, Pournami, Pradosham and Amavasai are the festivals celebrated here.