Sri, Sivakozhundeshwarar temple Thirthanagari near Cuddalore- A padal petra sthalam

This temple has been in existence over 4 yugams and has been re built many times over, The last time by a local chieftain VeeramanMaharaja. There are many legends associated with this temple. It is on the banks of a huge water body called Perumal lake
How to Reach:
Theerthanagiri is 18 km far from Cuddalore on the east coast road towards chidambaram. After crossing alapakkam on the left in 5 kms will see a board to thirthanagari it is about 4 kms on this road.
Legends of the temple:
Perumal worshipped shiva here and killed a demon called Murasuran and he hence came to be known as Murari
Siva rahasyam which was told by shiva to parvathy was overheard by Murugan who instructed Agasthiyar the same and the same are documented in palm leaf writings in the Connemara library
Durvasa cursed Bhringi rishi and he received salvation after worshipping shiva here
Perumal lake or Garuda theertham was  dug out by Garuda.
There were an aged couple who cultivated Thinai (hence thinai oor ). They used to eat only after feeding a guest. One day an aged man came and said he would work in the fields and then eat. He started sowing seeds and when the aged couple came to feed him they fount a bountiful harvest of thinai here and when the couple asked how this was possible Shiva revealed his real form to them, Thinai cultivation was the main agriculture here and even today the local farmers start cultivation after prayers to Dakshinamurthy here who is sitting in Padmasana without his sishyas and in the posture he had food . He is called Yoga Dakshinamurthy
Suryan prayed to Shiva here and in March April (Panguni month) the sun rays fall directly on the swayumbu lingam

The ambal sannidhi is in the first praharam on the right of the Nandi and the Dwajasthambam seen above
Below is the second praharam with entrance from the south
 
The  saints Appar, Sambandar Navukkarasar and the builder Veeraman Maharaja are housed in the enclosure on the left


The main enclosure has a shivalingam  and also houses a rare Nataraja. Shiva is east facing and has a majestic avudiar.
The nataraja is ardhanari with ganga on the head and anklets on one leg. There are figures of Brahma playing drums and Vishnu blowing the Conch. The earrings are different on both sides. Agni is held in one hand and the damaru in another
This place is considered as holy for the performing arts and many vidwans come here to exhibit their artistry and pray for success
The Kosta vigrahas are unique. The story of the aged farmer is depicted around the kosta G

anesa
 

The yoga dakshinamurthy in padmasana on a lotus with no maram or sishyas
Lingothbhavar shiva with Brahma and Vishnu on either side. Sadly the epigraphy has been whitewashed

Brahma

Rare Chandikeshwara with consort
Murugan sannidhi
The sthala vruksham Konrai
The ambal sannidhi is in the outer courtyard facing South. Goddess Oppilla nayaki one who has no comparision (Karunthadankanni)is about 5 feet tall and majestic
A few paintings inside of the nayanmars
Contact:
Manikantan gurukkal :9047140464 / 8870740464

pics sent by ShriManikantan on 18/1/15

Siva kozhundheeshwaran

Oppillaaman

Utsava moorthy

Oppilla amman

25/2/15
These pix were sent by Sri Manikandan after the Shivarathri pooja

02/04/2017

Last week I received these pictures from Sri.Manikandan who displayed the serial pics where the sun rays fall on the lord _surya pooja , an annual feature that happens in march           

Sri Mangalapureeshwarar temple at Tiruchopuram near Cuddalore- A padal petra sthalam

This Sunday 23/8/14 I visited this temple . It is very close to the shore and in a quaint village. Sadly many people do not visit this temple and the priest stays at Cuddalore but does 5 kala pujas daily. Since he is in charge of many temples  he is always on the move. The temple manager stays behind and has custody of the keys and so we were able to enter the temple and have a darshan
How to reach:
The temple is between cuddalore and chidambaram On the east coast road about 20 kms from cuddalore you will see the road to Alapakkam take this road and cross the railway track at 4 kms you will come to Thiruchopuram now called Thiagavalli in memory of the queen of Thribhuvana maharaja who used to worship here. The Temple is in the middle of the village
     
The bells on the kodimaram were pleasantly welcoming us with their music
Legends:
A few hundred  and fifty years ago the temple was covered by sand and was lost. Ramalinga sivayogiar of Madurai had a dream and he came here and discovered the kalasam and with the help of villagers reclaimed  the temple. Till a few years ago it was accessed only  by boat access the river. You can still see copious sand in the courtyard

Agasthya did penance here .
Thirugnanasambandar has sung songs about this temple
The temple itself is quite small but spacious. The shivalingam faces west hence the  square avudiar is on the left. The ambal sannidhi is on the left facing south. There is only one praharam
The dwarapalakas of the shivan sannidhi
 
The ambal is known as Veladan nadunkanniyal, sathyaaya dakshi and is about 5feet tall and quite imposing.
The kosta vigrahas are reversed as the temple faces west and hence you find Vishnu durgai first, The Dakshinamurthy, lingodhbhavar are unique in having attendants Ganesh has Thirugnanasambandam as attendant 
Dakshinamurthy has sanath kumaras

Brahma and Vishnu are attending Shiva above
There are other sannidhis in the praharam  as below with many lingams and the 63 nayanmars  
Navagragas in an enclosure
   

Sthala vriksham Konrai maram