Thuyar Thirtha Nathar Temple

Overview

The sanctuary is found toward the south from Kaanattam puliur. This is a Devara Sthalam. The sanctuary is found 30 Kms from Chidambaram and 7 Kms. from Katturmannarkudi. Town transport offices are accessible from Chidambaram and Kattumannarkudi.

About the Temple

The temple is located in Omampuliyur. It is dedicated to Lord Pranavavyakrapureeswarar with his consort Goddess Pushpalathambigai was constructed over a thousand years ago by Kulothunga Chola and has stone inscriptions of the Cholas and the Pallavas. The temple spreads over an acre and faces the east.A big pond exists in front of the temple from where perhaps water was drawn during earlier times for the various temple activities. This is named Gowri Theertham. There are two more water sources, one on the southern side of the temple and one on the northern side named Varadhanankuttai and Kollidam perar respectively. As we enter the temple gates we first reach the enclosure of Lord Nandi, the celestial vehicle of Lord Shiva. Lord Nandi always faces Lord Shiva awaiting instructions except at Lord Vedapureeswarar's Temple at Chengam where as per the Lord's instructions he faces away from him to chase away vandals who would come to create disturbance when the Lord was teaching the Vedas. After praying to Lord Nandi we move to the frontage of the main Gopuram, a three tiered structure of modest height. On the gopuram we observe Dwarapalakas, who, fiery looking, keep a watch on who enters the temple and also safeguard the place.

About the Deity

The main deity is Sri Poongodinayagi. She is also called as Sri Pushpa Lalithambigai.

Legend and Stories

Legend goes that Goddess Parvati was once watching retribution underneath the Ilandai Tree. Another incredible conviction identifies with how Lord Shiva as Nataraja showed up before Sage Vyakrapada. Once on his approach to see Lord Nataraja, Sage Vyakrapada is accepted to have lost his direction and came nearabouts Omampuliyur. Frustrated, he respectfully got out for Lord Nataraja. Ruler Nataraja heard his pleadings and taught him to offer supplications , gave him a darshan at this sanctuary. Once a seeker was searching for a prey in the woodland around Omampuliyur. A tiger which had come that way saw him and was going to assault him. The seeker is accepted to have climbed a Bilva tree to ensure himself. However, the tiger was not surrendering and was sitting tight for the seeker to get down. Evening gradually swung to night. So as not to nod off the seeker unwittingly initiated culling the heavenly Bilva leaves and dropping them down which were falling on Lord Shiva. Satisfied with this Lord Shiva conceded him salvation. Once a lord by name Sadanand got harassed with infection. Being despondent he came to Omampuliyur and in the wake of showering in the sacred water Varadanankuttai he implored the Lord frequently. Satisfied with his commitment the Lord disposed of his torment. Two Ghandarvas living in paradise were once reviled to go to earth and live like a pig and a Dasi because of their offenses. When they were pursued by a tiger. To get away from the tiger, they ran and bounced into the Kollidam waterway and appealed to Lord Pranavavyakrapureeswarar. Satisfied with their petitions the Lord allowed their desire to come back to paradise. In the patio of the sanctuary we can watch a spot only to perform Homams (sacrosanct flame).

Significance

Parents expecting their children to achieve academic excellence come with them to the temple, perform abishek and archanas to Lord Dakshinamurthy.

Accessibility

The nearest International Airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport, Tiruchirapalli, roughly two and a half hour drive from Cuddalore. It is well connected to a spectrum of cities in India and abroad such as Bangalore, Chennai, Singapore, and Malaysia etc. through Air India, Spice Jet and Jet Airways. Cuddalore is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses. It has its own Railway Station named as Cuddalore Railway Station which is connected to the major cities of Tamil Nadu. It is also linked with the cities like New Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore, Chennai, Kanyakumari, Puri, Ahmedabad, Tirupati and Kodaikanal.

Temple Address

Arumighu Thuyartheerta Nathar Temple,
Omampuliyur Post,
Ayankudi S.O.
Kattumannarkudi Taluk
Cuddalore District
Pin-608306