Pudukamoor Sri Puthrakameshtiswarar Temple- Thiruvannamalai

Address

Pudukamoor village, Arani,

Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu 632301

Phone: +91 94860 46908, 97891 56179, 96294 73883

Moolavar

Sri Puthrakameshtiswarar, Somaskandar

Amman

Perianayaki

Introduction

Puthira Kamateshwarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Pudukamoor village, Arani, Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu. The main deity, Sri Putharakameshtiswarar, is represented in the form of a Shiva Lingam under Adisheshan (the serpent god) with nine heads. His consort, Periya Nayaki Amman, resides in a separate sanctum with her own Dwajasthambam (flagpole). The temple is believed to be around 1300 years old and is located in Arani Town, which is approximately 41 km from Vellore, 58 km from Thiruvannamalai, and 71 km from Kancheepuram.

Thala Virutcham (Temple Tree): Pavalamalli (Jasmine)
Theertham (Sacred Water Body): Kamandala River

Puranic Significance

Sthala Purana (Temple Legend)

The temple’s legend is connected to King Dasaradha, the father of Lord Rama. According to the purana, King Dasaradha sought the guidance of his guru, Sage Vashishta, to have children. The sage instructed him to perform the Puthrakameshti Yagam (a ritual to beget children) in this sacred place, which was then known as Darmaranya Kshteram. Following the ritual, the king was blessed with four sons, including Lord Rama. Hence, Lord Shiva here is revered as Puthrakameshti Eswarar (the one who grants children).

The temple is believed to help those who suffer from Naga Dosha (curse related to serpents) and Putra Dosha (issues with progeny). Devotees who face challenges in having children perform the Puthrakameshti Yagam and install a Naga under the banyan tree outside the temple for blessings.

Deities and Unique Features

Sri Puthrakameshtiswarar: The main deity in the form of a self-manifested Shiva Lingam (Suyambhu) under Adisheshan with nine heads.
Periya Nayaki Amman: The consort of Lord Shiva, residing in a separate sanctum with her own Dwajasthambam.
Somaskandar: The Uarchavar (processional deity) of the temple.

In the temple corridor, devotees can find shrines dedicated to:

63 Saivite Saints (Nayanmars)
Lord Swarna Vinayaka (Golden Vinayaka)
Panchalingam with Ambicas
Ashtothra Lingam
Veerabadra with Kali
Lord Shanmugha with Valli and Deivanai
Lord Gopalakrishna with Bama and Rukmini
Kalabhairava
Saneeswara (Saturn)
Sooryan (Sun God)

The unique feature of the temple is the rare positioning of Lord Vinayaka and Sri Anjaneya (Hanuman), where they face each other across the river, symbolizing the start and end of any activity.

Beliefs

Devotees believe that praying at the Puthira Kamateshwarar Temple can help them overcome childlessness and marriage obstacles. It is especially revered by couples who wish to have children. They offer abishekams (ritual bathing) to both Lord Shiva and Periya Nayaki Amman and often donate vastras (clothes) to the deities as part of their prayers.

Special Features

The temple has a three-tier Raja Gopuram (temple tower) and is known for its large banyan tree, under which Naga installations are made.
A small sanctum houses the idol of King Dasaradha, depicted holding a Kamandalam and Rudraksha beads, as he appeared during the Puthrakameshti Yagam.
Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devani has a separate sanctum within the temple.
Lord Gopala Krishna is enshrined with his consorts Bama and Rukmini in a separate sanctum.
Nandi (the sacred bull) is housed in a small mandapam in front of the Dwajasthambam.
The Sthala Vriksham (temple tree) is the Pavazhamalli (Jasmine), which is revered by the devotees.
The Pushkarani (temple tank) is the Kamandala River.