Eraiyur Thagam Theerthapureeswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Eraiyur Thagam Theerthapureeswarar Temple, Eraiyur, Thitagudi taluk, Cuddalore District Mobile: +91 94439 13912

Diety

Theerthapureeswarar Amman: Annapoorani.

Introduction

Thagam Theerthapureeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Eraiyur Village in Thitagudi Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thagam Theerthapureeswarar and Mother is called as Annapoorani. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. Eraiyur was called as Thirumaranpadi in ancient times. This Temple is situated very close to Thiruvattathurai (Thirunelvayil Arathurai) Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Puranic Significance

Though this temple in Eraiyur (or Thirumaranpadi) was not sung by Moovar, one of the very young and important Shaivite Nayanmar Thirugnana Sambandar has stayed in this temple overnight. Thirumaranpadi is cited at least in 4 places in Periya Puranam when Saint Poet Sekkizhar was trying to narrate the stories of Nayanmar. During his stay here, Lord Shiva of Thiruvattathurai appeared in Thirugnana Sambandar’s dream and told him that Thirugnana Sambandar does not have to walk anymore as he is just a child. In addition, Lord Shiva told Thirugnana Sambandar that he had arranged a Muthu Chivigai (cart carried by humans in their shoulders) decorated with pearls. Later, Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams of a business man in Thiruvattathurai or Thirunelvayil Arathurai and asked him to provide Thirugnana Sambandar with a Muthu Chivigai. Next day in the morning, Thirugnana Sambandar did not wait for the “Muthu Chivigai” to arrive. He started his journey. A big surprise awaited on his way for him. As promised by Lord Shiva, the business man from Thiruvattathurai sent a Muthu Chivigai for Thirugnana Sambandar. They met Thirugnana Sambandar at a place called Koodalur. From there on, Thirugnana Sambandar travelled to many places in Muthu Chivigai and also sang hymns on Lord Shiva of Thiruvattathurai.

Special Features

This Temple is a small east facing ancient Temple. The Temple has only one prakaram enclosing all the shrines and sanctum. There is an entrance arch with a stucco image of Rishabaroodar flanked by Lord Vinayaga and Lord Murugan. Nandi housed in a small Mandapam and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. There is no Dhwaja Sthambam in this Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Thagam Theerthapureeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Narthana Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar can be found in his usual location. Mother is called as Annapoorani. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing her shrine. There is a separate shrine for Arathurai Nathar and Sambandar in the Temple premises. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Gaja Lakshmi, Naalvar (Sundarar, Appar, Sambandar & Manickavasagar), Navagrahas, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Saneeswarar, Bhairavar, Chandran, Surya, Srinivasa Perumal and Varadaraja Perumal in the Temple premises. The Temple pond is situated opposite to the entrance. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwam (Aegle marmelos).