Tiruvetkalam Sri Pasupatheswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Diety: Paasupatheswarar, Amman: Sri Nalla Nayaki, Sri Sargunambal
Temple Address: Tiruvetkalam  Sri Pasupatheswarar Temple, Tiruvetkalam (Chidambaram Nagar)-608 002. Cuddalore district. Phone: +91- 98420 08291
Open between: 04:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:30 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Tiruvetkalam Pasupatheswarar temple is a Hindu temple. The original complex is believed to have been built by Kanadukathan Pethaperumal Chettiar. In 1914, this was renovated with stone by A. Pethaperumal, chettiar of kanadukathanThe temple located at Chidambaram in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Pasupatheswarar. His consort is known as Satgunambal and Nalla Nayaki. The temple is located inside the Annamalai University complex. The temple complex covers an area of two acres and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Paasupatheeswarar being the most prominent. Theertham (Holy water): Krupa Kadaksha Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Bamboo tree

Puranic Significance

In ancient times, this place was densely populated with bamboo trees. It is believed that this temple is more than 2000 years old and it was built by Pallava kings. At a later date, it was renovated by the Nattukkottai Chettiars. The historical name of this place is Moonkilvanam. The legend of this place revolves around Arjuna – a celebrated archer and one of the five Pandavas. Before going to the Mahabharata war, it is believed that Lord Krishna advised Arjuna to visit this place and worship Lord Shiva here. On knowing about Arjuna’s penance, Duryodhana sent a demon Mookasura to kill Arjuna. Demon Mookasura took the form of a wild boar to interrupt Arjuna’s worship. On knowing this, Lord Shiva appeared there in the form of a hunter. It is also believed that the four Vedas followed the lord in the form of dogs in order to protect Arjuna. The lord shot an arrow on the boar and killed it. At the same time, Arjuna had also released an arrow from his bow. Thereafter a scuffle arose between the two as to whose arrow had killed the boar. The scuffle lead to a fight and Lord Shiva broke Arjuna’s bow. Angered by this, Arjuna hit Lord Shiva with his broken bow. This beating was felt throughout the world. The lord then kicked Arjuna and he went flying in the air. But because of the mercy of Goddess Parvathy, he fell in the temple’s sacred tank. Arjuna then realised that the hunter was none other than Lord Shiva himself and begged his pardon. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi gave darshan to Arjuna and blessed him with the Paasupathasthiram (an arrow). The scar mark on the lingam due to the blow from Arjuna’s bow can still be seen. Since the lord gave Paasupathasthiram to Arjuna, he is praised as Sri Paasupatheswarar. The event of Lord Shiva’s fight with Arjuna is described in details in the epic “Kirathachuneeyam”. Interestingly, the names of the villages surrounding this temple refer to this legend. The place where Lord Shiva broke Arjuna’s bow is known as “Villiruthan Kuttai” (villiruthan means “breaking the bow” and kuttai means place in Tamil), the place where Arjuna hit the lord is known as “Nakkar Ukanthakudi” (Nakkanthankudi) (Nakkar refers to the lord, Ukantha means cherished and kudi means place in Tamil) and the place where the fight took place is known as “Esan porveli” (Esan refers to the lord and porveli means fighting ground in Tamil). It is also believed that sage Narada worshiped the lord of this temple. It is believed that saint Thirugnanasambanthar stayed at Thiruvetkalam for few days and visited Chidambaram and othervnearby temples. In his hymn of this temple, he mentions this place as “Nannagar” (good city). Living up to its name of “Nannagar”, this place now has a sprawling university campus.

Beliefs

Those facing speech impairment, particularly stammering problems, can worship the lord here. Devotees also believe that worshiping the lord here will remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 2nd Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has two corridors. The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 02.07.2006. Apart from the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Nardana Vinayakar, Sidhdhi Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Adhi Paasupatheswarar and Sri Shakti, Somaskandar, Uchi Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma in sitting posture, Durgai, Nalvar, Mahalakshmi, Navagraham, Bairavar, Suryan and Chandran can be seen in the corridors. Procession idols of Arjuna and Lord Shiva (as Kirathakamurthy) holding the Paasupathasthiram with Goddess Parvathy can be seen in the hall.

Festivals

Tamil New year during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April) is the most prominent festivals celebrated in the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000 years old

Saints and Singers

Appar, Sambandar

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)- Puducherry

Best Time

6:30-12:00

Accommodation

Chidambaram

Nearest Bus Station

Tiruvetkalam

Nearest Railway Station

Chidambaram

Nearest Airport

Puducherry

Location on Map

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