Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple

Overview

Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple/Sishta Guru Natheswarar temple is located 8 Kms to the north of Panruti, a town in Cuddlaore District. Tiruthuraiyur can be reached from Panruti via Pudupettai and Chinnapettai. Bus services from Panruti town are available readily. Tiruvathigai, another paadal petra sthalam is located just 2 Kms from Panruti.Sishta Guru Natheswarar temple is one among the 275 Shiva Sthalam and is one of the Naadu Nadu Shiva Temple.

About the Temple

Saint Sundarar has praised the Lord in his Thevaram hymn praying the Lord to teach him the rules of penance. This is the 15th Shiva temple in the Tamil Nadu region praised in Thevaram hymns. After worshipping Lord Shiva with his first song beginning with the word “Pitha” at Tiruvennainallur, saint Sundarar came to this temple but was intercepted by the spate of Thenpennai River. He sang his hymns from the river bank. There came an old couple and took the saint to the other bank of the river in a boat. Lord Shiva hid Himself. Sundarar saw around but could not find anybody. The old man told Sundarar that the person he was seeking is up above and disappeared. The Saint had the darshan of Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvathi sitting on His Vrushab-bull vehicle. Sundarar begged the Lord to teach him the rules of penance. As Lord Shiva was a Guru-Teacher to the saint, He is praised as Sishta Gurunathar and Thava Neri Aaludayar – teaching penance rules. As Thursday is dedicated to Jupiter-Guru planet, special pujas are performed in the temple.

There is a practice followed in this temple since ages. The Shiva Linga is quite Hugh. The point of the peeta-Avudayar is on the right side. Poornima – full moon day – pujas are performed on Mondays. Those facing problems in wedding proposals and those concerned with the health and welfare of children light ghee lamps and perform archanas with bilwa leaves. Lord Muruga graces with six faces as Lord Subramanya praised by saint Arunagirir in his hymns. Lord Adikesava graces from a shrine facing south. Saint Sundarar appears with his Sengole-a stick symbolizing authority. People use to dress Sundarar with a turban as a mark of respect. There are shrines opposite the temple for Thaduthu Aatkonda Easwarar granting darshan to the saint as a ripe old person and for Mother Gajalakshmi and Ashtapuja Kali. The monument of saint Arunandhi Sivachariar, disciple of Meikanda Nayanar belonging to the Saivite Guru Parambara is nearby.

About the Deity

The presiding deity is Swayambu(self incarnated) Siva Lingam known as Sishta Guru Nadeswarar / Pasupatheeswarar and his consort here known as Poongkodhai / Sivaloka Nayaki. Other deities seen in the temple prakaram are Nardhana Vinayakar in a separate sanctum, Dakshina Moorthy as Koshta Deivam, where we see Lord Siva who blesses Sundarar as a sculpture, Ashtabuja Kali, Soorya Bagawan,Bairavar, Soorya Lingam, Rama Lingam, Adi Kesava Bakthavatchalar, Subramanyar, Gaja Lakshmi and Beema Lingam.

Legend and Stories

When the wedding of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvathi took place in Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva sent sage Agasthya to south to balance the level of the earth. On his way to fulfill the task, the sage installed Shiva Lingas with Goddess Ambica. In this place, sage Agastya worshipped the Lord facing west and Goddess Ambica facing North-Vamadeva direction. He did so because the wedding took place at North. Such north-facing idol of Goddess Ambica are very rare.

Festivals

Shivrathri in February-March, 10 day Brahmmotsavam in Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Annabishekam and Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November are the major festivals celebrated in the temple.

Significance

This is a temple with Guru or teacher as a mark of respect and importance, hence special pujas are performed on Thursdays to Lords Shiva and Dakshinamurthy by devotees seeking excellence in education.

Nearby Place To Visit

Patanjaleeswarar Temple
Thillai Kali Temple
Swarnapureeswarar Temple
Pralayakaleswarar Temple
Theerthapureeswarar Temple
Kolanji Appar Temple

Accessibility

Road

The devotee should reach Panruti 24 kms from Cuddalore. Tiruthurayur is further 8 kms from Pantuti. Buses are available from Panruti every one hour.

Railways

Tiruthurayur

Airport

Chennai

Temple Address

Sri Sishta Gurunathar Temple,
Tiruthurayur,
Panruti Taluk,
Cuddalore district,
Pincode-607 205.