Tirucholapuram Sri Mangalapureeswarar (Chopuranathar) Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Tirucholapuram Sri Mangalapureeswarar (Chopuranathar) Temple, Tiruchopuram, Thiyagavalli-Post, Cuddalore Taluk and District Tamil Nadu – 608 801. Tele: +91 94425 85845.

Diety

Sri Mangalapureeswarar, Sri Thiruchchopuranathaswamy Amman: Sri Velnedunganni, Sri Thiyavalli.

Introduction

Tiruchopuram Mangalapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Tiruchopuram in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Mangalapureeswarar. His consort is known as Thyagavalliammai. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Sambandar. Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Kondrai Tree Theertham (Holy water): Chopuratheertham, Brahmatheertham (Sea)

Puranic Significance

The temple is very close to the shores of the Bay of Bengal and is believed to have been built by Thiyagavalli, the wife of the Chola King Kulothungan-III (also known as Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi). It is believed that Agasthiya Maharishi installed and worshiped this lingam and his palm prints can still be seen on the deity. According to legend, this temple was once completely covered by sand dunes. About two hundred years ago, a saint by the name of saint, Ramalinga Yogi (Thambiran) from the Madurai Thirugnanasambanthar Aatheenam discovered this temple. He took the help of many people from nearby villages and began the arduous task of renovating this temple. This is why the temple is also called “Thambiran Kanda Koil” (the temple found by Thambiran).Another version of the story is that this temple was renovated by the Chola King Kulothungan and his wife, Thiyagavalli. Hence the village around this temple is named “Cholarpuram” and “Thiyagavalli”. Idols of the king and queen can also be found in the corridors of the temple.

Beliefs

This temple is also popular with students interested in arts and music. They come here to perform poojas and seek the blessings of Lord Dakshinamurthy to help them attain excellence in their chosen art forms. People with problems related to marriage and health can be seen making offerings of kumkum and turmeric to Lord Mangalapureeswarar.

Special Features

The lord here is called Sri Mangalapureeswarar because it is believed that Goddess Parvathi became one with the Lingam when Agasthya Maharishi installed it. This is the reason why, unlike regular offerings made to Lord Shiva, turmeric and kumkum are used in the worship of this Lord. Both these offerings are usually made to the goddess and are considered very auspicious (“Mangalam” in Tamil). Shrines and idols of Lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar, Gajalakshmi, Visalakshi and Viswanathar, Veerateswarar, Kannappa Nayanar, Chola king and Thiyagavalli, 63 Nayanmars, Dakshinamurthy, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Agasthiar, Suryan, Bairavar and Navagraham can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.

Festivals

Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar), Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct-Nov) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) are the important festivals celebrated in this temple.