Thiruvathigai Sri Veerattaneswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Thiruvathigai Sri Veerattaneswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai, Panruti Post Cuddalore District,PIN 607106

Diety

Sri Veeratteswarar, Amman: Thirupura sundari

Introduction

Thiruvathigai Veerateeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is situated in Thiruvathigai village. Shiva is worshiped as Veerattaaneswarar. His consort Parvati is depicted as Thiripurasundari. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is considered the place where the Saiva saint poet Appar (Thirunavukkarasar) converted back to Saivism, and attained final salvation. Thala Virutcham : Sarakondrai Theertham : Shoola theertham The temple complex is one of the largest in the state and it houses two gateway towers known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Veerateeswarar and Mookambigai being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls and three precincts; the most notable is the second precinct built during the Vijayanagar period that has many sculptures.

Puranic Significance

Legend holds that this temple is the place where Shiva destroyed three rakshashas and the three cities created by them. Saranarayana Perumal, another name of Vishnu, is the one who gave the arrow to Shiva for killing the demons, whose temple is also located in the town, little easterly. Shiva Purana details the legend of destruction of the demon Tripuran, who was ruling Tripura. The destruction is detailed as a cosmic event, which most attribute to the destruction of stars, meteors and unexplained material bodies. Tripuran attacked all the celestial deities who sought the help of Shiva to protect them. Shiva after a fiery fight, destroyed Tripuran and attained the name Tripurantaka. Shiva ashed down the city Tripura and dipped his three fingers in the ashes, which signifies the three lines of ash which is worn by all shaivites on their forehead. As per another variant, the three sons of Taraka obtained boons from Brahma and built an impregnable fortress on earth. On account of their atrocious activities, mother earth prayed to Shiva for rescue. Shiva burnt down the fort and was about to attack the trio, but they begged for mercy. He made two of them as Dvarapalas and one as his damaroo, which he sports in his right hand. The whole incident is believed to have taken place in Thiruvathigai on the banks of Kedilam. The original name of the place was called Tripura Dahanam, which went on to become Thiruvathigai. During Tripurasamharam, the killing of Tripurantaka, Shiva forgot to worship Ganesha before setting out for the battle. He realized it and came back to worship Ganesha and went ahead to win the demon. The same legend is associated with Aksheeswaraswamy Temple, Acharapakkam and Thiruvirkolam Sri Tripuranthaka Swami temple.

Beliefs

The immense benefit the devotee derives here is total peace of mind. Every disease will be cured by prayer, stomach related pains and ulcers in particular by applying the sacred ash and consuming it, freedom from enemies, disappearance of any curse following the family generation after generation, releasing the ancestors too from their sins ensuring total salvation are the benefits awaiting the devotee in this temple. Those seeking child boon consume the milk used in the abishek of Lord. People also pray for job opportunities, family prosperity also. People decorate the entrance of sanctum sanctorum with garlands (Nilamalai) and do traditional offers as Pottu Kattudhal, offer Mangal Sutra to Mother, perform Trishadi archana containing 300 or Sahasranama archana with 1008 names of the Lord, break coconuts, perform abishek to Lord with curd, fruit juices, green coconut, panchamirta a mixture of five ingredients, scented powders, gingely oil, sandal, rosewater sacred ash vilwa leaves etc. and abishek wit conches and Kalasas. Abishek is performed to Mother with turmeric powder. Devotees offer vastras to Mother and Lord. They also feed the visiting devotees.

Special Features

Indira the king of Devas, Lords Brahmma and Vishnu, Pandavas the five brothers, Saptha Rishis (seven sages), Vayu the God of Wind, Varuna the God of Rain, Yama the God of Death came to this temple in their chariots to worship Lord Veerattaneswarar. Hence, the temple is designed as Rath. Thanjavur Peria Koil (Big Temple) Vimana was designed after this temple by Rajaraja in the temple he built at Thanjavur. The temple is designed with such mathematical accuracy by the Pallavas that the shade of the temple does not fall on the ground. This is the place from where Lord Shiva destroyed the three lokas-Tripuras – simply by His boisterous laughter, without the aide of any weapon or army. The temple has many firsts. It is here that the Lord destroyed the three great evils – arrogance, fate and illusion. Thevaram hymns were uttered first here. All Shivagama puja codes were formulated from this temple. Car festival and design of cars were drafted from this place. This is the only temple that is adored in great number of Thevaram hyms, the divine Tamil hymns of three saints-Gananasambandar, Appar and Sundararcame to delight the devotees and taken as scriptures by later scholars from this place. The sculpture depicting the wedding of Shiva-Parvathi is behind the presiding deity. The sanctum sanctorum and the Mandap are in Rath (Ther in Tamil) shape. 10 day festival for Appar-Tirunavukkarasar is very devotionally celebrated in April-May. 10 day Vaikasi (May-June) Visakam Brahmmotsavam includes car festival and Tripura Samhara. Saint Tirunavukkarasar made his Uzhavaram, an instrument with a sharp edge fixed with a stick for removing the bushes on the way to Shiva temples in this sacred land. It is also noteworthy that the Thevaram hymns of the three saints contain more mention about Tripura Samhara episode. Lord of the temple purifies all His devotees from the three great basic evils polluting the human mind. This is also the land where Lord granted darshan to Appar in Wedding form, hence weddings are conducted in the temple. Mother Periyanayaki shrine is in right of that of Lord. Those facing delays in wedding pray here for early good results. The devotee should bow down while wearing the vibhuti-sacred ash.