Sri Chottruthurainathar temple

Overview

The Thiruchottruthurai, Odhavaneswarar, Chottru Thurai Nather, Tholaya Selva Nathar temple is located in Thiruchottruthurai, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu state, India. The main God here is Odhavaneswarar, Chottru Thurai Nather, Tholaya Selva Nathar and Amman (Thayar) is Annapoorani, Tholayaselvi. This temple is a 274 Sivalayam Koil.

About the Temple

The Lord not only offers adequate food to His devotees but it also means that He ensures total salvation to the souls. The place, Tiru Chottru Thurai is one among the seven places where Lord fed His devotees. This is the third among the Ezhur-seven places beginning from Tiruvaiyaru, Tirupazhanam. Saints Ramalinga Vallalar and Arunagiriar had praised this temple in their hymns. Lords Brahmma and Vishnu, Sage Gautama, Sun God and Indira worshipped Lord in this temple. Indira got a highest position. Sage Gautama attained salvation. The wedding festival of Nandhi Bahagwan and Suyam Prakasai daughter of Sage Vyakrapada is celebrated on the Punarvasu star day in the month of Panguni-March-April. Brahmmotsavam is celebrated for Lord Aiarappar in Chithirai-April-May. On the final day of the festival, Nandideva-Suyam Prakasai and Aiyarappar-Aramvalartha Nayaki begin their festival journey in separate palanquins from Tiruvaiyaru at about 6.00 a.m. and reach Tirupazhanam where they are received by Lord Aabathsahayar and Mother Periyanayaki. They join the group and proceed to Tiruchottruthurai. They are received at the border by Lord Chottruthurai Nathar and Mother Annapoorani. Feeding takes place here. The procession continues towards Tiruvedikudi.

About the Deity

The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as ( Chottru Thurai Nather ) Annapoorani. His consort is known as Tholayaselvi.

Legend and Stories

Once, a severe famine struck the place. A Shiva devotee, Arulalan by name, men, women and children were suffering from starvation. Arulalan cried to Lord that He should come to rescue the people to save them from starvation deaths. The priest stopped coming to the temple long back. A temple staff coming to light a lamp in the evening also fell down due to hunger. The temple was dark. Arulalar, sitting in the dark temple wept and dashed against the entrance steps and cried for help. It suddenly began to rain incessantly and the whole place was inundated with flood water. A bowl came floating in floods. Arulalar picked it up. He heard a voice saying that it was a Akshaya Patra which will never go dry and would be feeding the people to quench their hunger. Rice, dal, ghee and curry poured from the divine bowl. People’s joy knew no bounds.

Festivals

Maha Shivrathri is very devotionally celebrated in the temple in February-March.

Significance

Those facing delays in wedding pray to Nandhi Wedding festival celebrated in Chithirai – April-May for removal of obstacles in their case. Devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute for the temple renovation projects.

Nearby Place To Visit

Andalakkum Aiyan
Padikasu Nathar
Gajendra Varadhan
Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal
Appakudathan
Adhivaraha Perumal

Accessibility

The temple is in Kandiyur, which is 15 km from Thanjavur on Tiruvaiyaru route. Tiruchottruthurai is 4 km east of Kandiyur. The closest railways are in Thanjavur and the closest airports are in Chennai and Trichy.

Temple Address

Sri Chottru Thurai Nathar Temple,
Tiruchottruthurai Post,
Via Kandiyur,
Tiruvaiyaru Taluk,
Thanjavur district,
Pincode -613 202.