Gopurapuram Adishaktheeswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Gopurapuram Adishaktheeswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Gopurapuram, Palakollai Via,

Virudhachalam Taluk,

Cuddalore District – 606 003

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

Moolavar

Adishaktheeswarar

Amman

Adishaktiswari

Introduction

1. Location:
   • Situated in Thevasthana Gopurapuram Village, Virudhachalam Taluk, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.
   • Located on the Virudhachalam to Aladi Route.
2. Puranic Significance:
   • Nandi Parayanar: A renowned Siddhar performed penance here, and the local king, after being blessed, built the temple as per the Siddhar’s instructions.
   • Sasivarnar: A Brahmin who overcame a skin disease by bathing in the temple pond and became a disciple of Nandi Parayanar, attaining Mukthi at the temple.
   • Aadhi Saktheeswaram: It is believed that Uma Devi worshipped Lord Shiva here, giving the place its name.
   • Thevasthana Gopurapuram: The place’s name is connected to the belief that Nandi helped Uma Devi worship Lord Shiva, with the name evolving over time.
3. Beliefs:
   • Devotees suffering from skin diseases are believed to get relief by bathing in the temple pond and worshipping Lord Shiva.
4. Special Features:
   • Temple Structure: The temple faces east and has a five-tiered Rajagopuram. The sanctum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam, and the Sanctum where the Aadhi Saktheeswarar Lingam is housed.
   • Lingam: The Lingam is believed to be Swayambhu (self-manifested) and is said to grow daily. Sun rays fall on the top portion of the Lingam daily.
   • Koshta Idols: Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma, and Durga are enshrined around the sanctum.
   • Sthala Vriksham: The Ilandhai Tree is located behind the sanctum, with a Kamadhenu image nearby.
   • Mother Shrine: Aadhi Saktheeswari, the consort of Lord Shiva, is enshrined in a separate shrine facing east.
   • Additional Shrines: Irattai Vinayagar, Annamalaiyar & Unnamulai Amman, Kasi Viswanathar & Visalakshi, Murugan with Valli & Devasena, Vishnu, and Gaja Lakshmi are enshrined in the mandapam.
   • Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, and Navagrahas are also present in the temple.
   • Samadhis: Shrines for Nandi Parayanar and Sasivarnar are found in the inner prakaram, with Peedams over their Samadhis.
   • Temple Pond: A large pond with five wells is located to the north of the temple, complete with bathing ghats.
5. Temple Age:
   • The temple is believed to be over 1500 years old.
6. Festivals:
   • 10-day Chithirai Brahmotsavam
   • Aani Thirumanjanam
   • Purattasi Arrow Festival
   • Aippasi Annabishekam
   • Karthigai Somavaram
   • Margazhi Arudhra Darisanam
   • Pournami, Pradosham, and Amavasai

Century/Period

500-1000 Years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Gopurapuram

Nearest Railway Station

Virdhachalam

Nearest Airport

Puducherry

Location on Map

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