Veerattaneswarar Temple

Overview

The Thiruvathigai Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva. It is situated at Thiruvathigai Village which is about 2 kilometres east from the town of Panruti. Veerattaaneswarar is the presiding deity.The temple is praised in the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam hymns of celebrated Saivite saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundar and Manicka Vasagar. “Presiding over the Vedas, clad in tiger skin Many worshipping with raised hands Surrounded by Bhooda Ganas, Mother Uma singing My God Veerattaneswarar on the north of Kedila River Stands majestically] dancing.”-Gnanasambandar This is the 7th Shiva temple in Nadunaadu region praised in Thevaram hymns.

About The Temple

Indira the ruler of Devas, Lords Brahmma and Vishnu, Pandavas the five siblings, Saptha Rishis (seven sages), Vayu the God of Wind, Varuna the God of Rain, Yama the God of Death resulted in these present circumstances temple in their chariots to love Lord Veerattaneswarar. Consequently, the temple is outlined as Rath. Thanjavur Peria Koil (Big Temple) Vimana was planned after this temple by Rajaraja in the temple he fabricated at Thanjavur. The temple is planned with such scientific exactness by the Pallavas that the temple's shade does not fall on the ground. This is the spot from where Lord Shiva annihilated the three lokas-Tripuras – basically by His uproarious giggling, without the helper of any weapon or armed force.

The temple has numerous firsts. It is here that the Lord devastated the three awesome wrongs – pomposity, destiny and figment. Thevaram psalms were expressed first here. All Shivagama puja codes were planned from this temple. Auto celebration and outline of autos were drafted from this spot. This is the main temple that is worshiped in incredible number of Thevaram hyms, the awesome Tamil songs of three holy people Gananasambandar, Appar and Sundarar-came to enchant the lovers and taken as sacred writings by later researchers from this spot.

The figure portraying the wedding of Shiva-Parvathi is behind the directing divinity. The sanctum sanctorum and the Mandap are in Rath (Ther in Tamil) shape. 10 day celebration for Appar-Tirunavukkarasar is reverentially celebrated in April-May. 10 day Vaikasi (May-June) Visakam Brahmmotsavam incorporates auto celebration and Tripura Samhara. Holy person Tirunavukkarasar made his Uzhavaram, an instrument with a sharp edge altered with a stick for evacuating the brambles while in transit to Shiva temples in this hallowed area. It is likewise important that the Thevaram psalms of the three holy people contain more say about Tripura Samhara scene. Master of the temple decontaminates every one of His lovers from the three awesome fundamental wrongs dirtying the human personality.

This is additionally the area where Lord allowed darshan to Appar in Wedding structure, consequently weddings are led in the temple. Mother Periyanayaki holy place is in right of that of Lord. Those confronting deferrals in wedding supplicate here for right on time great results. The lover ought to bow down while wearing the vibhuti-hallowed ash.

Legend/Story

Thiruvamur conceived Appar moved his confidence from Saivism to Jainism and turned into a staunch Jain. His sister Thilakavadhiyar, appealed to Lord Shiva here to restore him to Saivism. Reacting to her request to God, Lord Veerattaneswara brought on an extreme stomach torment to Appar which couldn't be cured by the Jains with their tantric and Mantra sciences. Not able to hold up under the agony, Appar-Thirunavukkarasar came back to her sister Thilakavadhiyar in the small hours of a day and fell at her feet to spare him from the torment.

The sister took the sibling to the sanctuary, droned the five letters-Panchakshara-Shivaya Namah-and put the holy fiery debris in his mouth. Surprisingly, the stomach torment vanished momentarily. Thirunavukkarasar poured out applauding melodies , Thevaram and the first sung by him was on the satisfied with sweet songs favored him with the title Thirunavukkarasar. Since that day, he spent his life singing the recognition of Lord and going to Shiva sanctuaries with Uzhavaram, an instrument he used to clean the shrubs around the sanctuaries to help the lovers stroll around the sanctuaries easily and advantageously.

Tharukatchan, Kamalakshan, Vidyunmali, the three evil presences performed serious compensation and increased capable aids from the Gods and started to abuse the feeble. The individuals who experienced the evil presences' monstrosities drew nearer the Lord for flexibility from these devils. The Lord made Earth his Vehicle (Car), Sun and the Moon its wheels, the four Vedas the stallions to pull the auto and Brahmma the charioteer. He made bow of Mount Meru, snake Vasuki as the harmony and Vishnu the bolt and set to confront the devils. He put Agni at the bolt's purpose.

While getting on to the auto, the vehicle fizzled in light of the fact that no Puja was performed to Lord Vinayaka, the destroyer of deterrents. In the wake of performing the Puja for Lord Vigneswara, the Lord magnificently got into the vehicle and made the walk. All were restlessly holding up to see the Lord's war abilities yet the Lord did not utilize the bow and the bolt but rather just made a rowdy snicker. The following minute a bundle of flame showed up and smoldered the three evil presences. The Devas were under the feeling that since every one of the arrangements were made for the war against the evil spirits with their investment, they likewise could guarantee an offer in the triumph over the devils. They were a bit glad for their part in the play.

By obliterating the evil presences essentially with his uproarious chuckle, the Lord conveyed to control the inner selves of the Devas as well. The Lord likewise offered life to the devils and favored them to be the watch and ward of his Abode. Since the episode covers the outrages' obliteration of three evil presences, this came to be praised as Tripura Samharam.

Temple Timing

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Rare Fact

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi, large in size with 16 stripes on.

Festivals

10 day Vasanth Utsav festival during Panguni-Chithirai Tamil months covering English March to May with Lord gracing from the Mandap; Chithirai (April-May) Sadayam star festival on Saint Appar Salvation event; 10 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam in May-June with Panchamurthi procession on silver vahan; 10 day Aadi Pooram; 10 day Manickavasagar utsav in Margazhi, 1 day Margazhi Tiruvadhirai with Theerthavari etc.

Significance

It is in this temple, by the beauty of Lord Veerattaneswara, Saint Appar, otherwise called Thirunavukkarasar got cured of his intense stomach torment here. The water drawn from the well here could in any case be seen. Individuals expending the water from this well are cured of any stomach issue.

Those yearning for a tyke perform milk abishek to the ruler and beverage the milk for an offspring. Individuals likewise visit the temple for occupation opportunities, family success moreover. Most significant of the advantage of loving the Lord Shiva in this temple is, they are sanitized from pride, enticement and past sins. It is the undaunted conviction of the aficionados that a visit to the temple is equivalent to a visit to Mount Kailash itself. Each supplication to God submitted to the made in numerous structures. Offering long wreaths, offering Mangal Sutra to the goddess, performing archanas either with 300 names of the Lord (Trisadhi) or 1000 names (saharanama), breaking the coconut, showering the master with gingeley oil, organic product juices, fragrant powders, delicate coconut are performed. The Lord and the Goddess are likewise venerated with fine fabrics. Other than these, the gods are washed through water poured through a conch and Kalasas (pots). The god is encouraged with different arrangements as indicated by Sastras and Puttu (pudding) specifically.

How To Reach Veerattaneswarar Temple

By Road

Tiruvadhigai is close to Panruti on the Chennai-Neyveli route. Buses are conveniently available from Panruti and Cuddalore town.

By Rail

Nearest Railway station is Panruti Railway Station.

By Air

Nearest airport is Chennai Airport.

Temple Address

Veerattaneswarar Temple,
Thiruvathigai, Panruti,
Cuddalore dirstrict,
Tamil Nadu 607106