Theerthanagiri Sri Sivakozhundhu Easwarar Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Theerthanagiri Sri Sivakozhundhu Easwarar Temple, Via Alappakkam, Theerthanagiri-608 801, Cuddalore district. Phone: +91-94434 34024.

Diety

Sivakozhundeeswarar, Amman: periyanayagi

Introduction

Tirttanakiri Sivakozhundeesvarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Theerthanagiri in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Shivakozhundhu Easwarar. This temple is situated on the banks of river Pennai and is believed to have been built in the 6th century. The historical name of the village around the temple is “Thiru Thinai Nagar”. It has now been changed to “Theerthanagiri”. Theertham (Holy water): Jambava Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree); Kontrai tree

Puranic Significance

This temple is situated on the banks of river Pennai and is believed to have been built in the 6th century. The historical name of the village around the temple is “Thiru Thinai Nagar”. It has now been changed to “Theerthanagiri”. As per the Sthala Puranam, a farmer called Periyan and his wife lived in this village. They had the habit of taking food only after offering it to a Shiva devotee. One day, Lord Shiva decided to test their faith. That day, the couple could not find anyone to offer the food to. Periyan came to his field to ask one of his workers to come to his house so that he could make his offering. Surprisingly, he could not find anyone in the field. He waited for some time for them to return. After some time, Periyan saw an old man pass by and he requested him to come and have food. The old man said that he could not accept food without earning it. He offered to some work in the field and then accept the food as wage. The farmer asked him to plough the field. Once the old man started ploughing the field, the farmer went back home to fetch some food for him. When he returned with the food, he was astonished to see that the crops were fully grown and ready for harvest. Periyan and his wife served the food for the old man under the kontrai tree. After he had finished eating, they asked him how he was able to do such a miraculous thing. The old man disappeared before answering. Thereafter Lord Shiva appeared on his bull mount (Rishabha Vakanam) with Goddess Parvathy and gave dharisanam to the couple. The lord further informed them that he had only come there in the form of an old man. After worshiping the lord, Periyan and his wife requested Lord Shiva to stay back in the place and bless them. Lord Shiva stayed back as a Swayambu Lingam in this place under the kontrai tree. The lord here is named as “Sivakozhundeeswarar”. Since the Lord Shiva himself is believed to have ploughed the field, sowed millet seeds (“Thinai”) and made it ready for harvest, this place gets the name “Thiru Thinai Nagar”. Another legend associated with this temple is that of a king named Veeraseran who was suffering from leukoderma. Once he had come to this temple for worshiping the lord. His dog, who was also suffering from skin diseases, had also come with him. His dog accidentally fell in the temple’s tank. When it came out, its skin diseases had disappeared. Noticing this, the king decided to take a dip in the tank. To his surprise, when he came out, he was cured of his leukoderma. He worshiped the lord and conveyed his gratitude. It is believed that thereafter King Veeraseran constructed this temple. His idol can also be seen in the temple corridors.

Beliefs

Worshiping of Lord Natarajar here is considered to be auspicious for those seeking excellence in the fields of music and dance. It is also believed that worshiping Lord Dakshinamurthy here will reward devotees with a rich yield from their farms.

Special Features

It is believed that every year, Suryan worships Lord Shiva for a period of three days from 20th to 22nd of the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) by illuminating the lingam in the sanctum. This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 5th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This east facing temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.

Festivals

Important festivals celebrated in this temple are – 13-day Vaikasi Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar), Annabishekam in in the Tamil month of Aipasi (Oct-Nov), Arudra Dharisanam in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan). Pradosham is also observed regularly.