Thiruvattathurai Sri Theerthapureeswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Thiruvattathurai (Thirunelvayil )Sri Theerthapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvattathurai Post, Thittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District – 606111 Phone: +91 4143 246 467 / 246 303

Diety

Sri Theerthapureeswarar, Sri Anandeeswarar, Amman: Sri Thiripura Sundari, Sri Anandha Nayagii

Introduction

Theerthapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thirunelvayil Arathurai Village near Thittakudi in Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu. Thirunelvayil Arathurai is presently called as Thiruvattathurai. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) have praised Lord Shiva of this Temple in Devaram Hymns. This is the 33rd Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1st Sthalam in Nadu Naadu on the banks of river Neevaa. This is one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints – Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams. Saint Arunagirinathar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) was heldon 24.03.20 Theertham (Holy water): Neelamalar Poikai, Annamalar Poikai, Vada Vellaru river Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Banyan tree

Puranic Significance

Since Saneeswaran and Angarakan worshiped the lord here, devotees believe that worshiping the lord here would relieve them of the “dosham” related to these two planets. As Saint Thirugnanasambanthar got the pearl palanquin here which is considered to be a turning point in his life, devotees believe by worshiping the lord here will also bring changes to their life. Devotees also believe that worshiping the lord here will give them fame, recognition and a better position in life. The sacred tree of this temple is a banyan tree. This tree is believed to be representing the “Maham nakshatram” (Maham constellation). Due to this reason, this temple is famous with devotees born in the period of the Maham nakshatram.

Beliefs

Lord Shiva mercifully responds to all prayers of devotees. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother offering vastras.

Special Features

Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints – Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar was blessed with Muthu Pallaku, Muthu Kodai and Muthu Chinnam in this temple. Sage Vasishtar got the ‘’Raja Rishi’’ title here from Lord Shiva. Of the seven Thurai temples, this is the sixth one. Thurai temples are the temples that are situated on the bank of a river and are associated with the Sapta Rishis. This temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers and has two corridors. The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) was held on 24.03.2011.

Festivals

10 days Brahmotsavam (Maasi Maham festival) in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar), Maha Shivarathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Marc, Thiruvadirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) are the important festivals celebrated in this temple. Pradosham is also observed regularly.