Arathurai Nathar temple, Tirunelvayil Arathurai
Location: Tirunelvayil Arathurai (Now known as Tiruvarathurai, Tiruvattathurai)
Deity known as: Arathurai Nathar, Anandheeswarar
Female Deity: Aananda Nayaki
Pathikam: Thirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1, Sundarar - 1
Gallery - Arathurai Nathar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located 6 Kms to the south-west of another paadal petra sthalam Pennadam. On the Virudhachalam-Thittakudi route via Pennadam, reach kodikalam. A branch road from Kodikalam leads to this temple.
Temple Address
Tiruvarathurai
Tiruvatturai Post
Thittakkudi Taluk
Cuddalore District
PIN 606111
Temple hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Pearl Palanquin
It was here at Tirunelvayil Arathurai, where the presiding deity Arathurainathar bestowed upon His devotee, the young Tirugyanasambandhar, a pearl palanquin and a pearl umbrella (muthu chivigai, muthu kudai). Sambandhar had set out on his spiritual journey to visit the sacred abodes of Lord Shiva after receiving the gyanapaal (milk of knowledge) from Goddess Parvathy's hand at Sirkazhi.
As Sambandar was a child, it was customary for his father to carry him on his shoulder during their travels. On the way to Thirunelvayil, however, Sambandhar refused to be carried and chose to walk instead. Seeing the young saint walking barefoot saddened all who accompanied him. That night, Sambandar and his devotees halted at Maranpadi.
That night, Arathurainathar appeared in the temple staff's dreams and revealed that, to ease Sambandhar’s discomfort, He would provide a pearl palanquin, a pearl umbrella, and pearl symbols. The staff were instructed to deliver these gifts to Sambandhar and bring him to the temple. The Lord also appeared in Sambandhar's dream, informing him of the blessings that awaited him. The next morning, at Tirunelvayil Arathurai, the devotees and temple staff opened the sanctum to find the divine objects exactly as envisioned in their dreams.
Temple Architecture & Layout
Temple Location
Located on the banks of the river Vellaru, this sacred temple of Arathurainathar greets devotees with an eastern gateway. Crossing the gateway leads us into the spacious outer prakaram.
Deities in the Outer Prakaram
The outer prakaram houses several sannidhis: Vinayaka, the Samaya Kuravargal (the four saints of Shaivism), Sage Vaanmeeki, the Saptha Kannikas (Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kowmaari, Vaishnavi, Indraani, Varaahi, and Chaamundi), Mahavishnu, and the Jyotirlingams. There are also sannidhis Annamalai, Adisesha, Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Dandayuthapani, and several Linga murtis worshipped in the names of the Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings. Kasi Viswanathar blesses devotees along with His consort, Goddess Visalakshi. Other sannidhis include those of Goddess Gajalakshmi, the Santhana Kuravargal, Bhairavar, Surya, and Chandra, all enshrined along the circumambulatory pathway. Goddess Saraswathi is beautifully depicted holding her melodious veena.
Sthala Vruksham & Theertham
The temple’s sthala vruksha is the sacred Banyan tree. The river Vellaru and the tank Neelamalar Poigai are regarded as the two holy waters of this temple.
Moolavar – Arathurainathar
The presiding deity,Arathurainathar, is worshipped here as a Swayambhu Lingam, facing east. On the walls of the sanctum appear the Goshta Murthas — Ganesha, Bikshadanar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, and Brahma.
Deities in Inner Prakaram
Within the inner prakaram, devotees have darshan of Nataraja with His consort Sivagami, Goddess Durga, Ardhanariswara, Chandeswarar, and Bhairavar. The Navagraha sannidhi is also housed here, while Saneeswara is enshrined in an exclusive sanctum of His own.
Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Nandi
Both Arathurainathar and Arathurainayaki have their own dwajasthambam (flagstaff), balipeedam (sacrificial altar), and Nandi facing the sanctum, symbolizing their divine presence.
Temple Significance & Special Worship
Divine Worship
Arathurainathar, the presiding deity of Tirunelvayil Arathurai, has been venerated by Mahavishnu, Adisesha, Sages Valmiki and Sanakar, as well as the Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings. Tradition says that, to protect the temple from the floods of the river Vellaru, the head of the sacred Nandi was turned to face the river.
River Connection
In his Padigam, Sambandhar praised this site as being situated on the banks of the holy river Niva. Over the centuries, the river once known as Niva is today called Vellaru.
Special Benefits
It is believed that even the planetary deities Mars (Mangala) and Saturn (Sani) have worshipped Arathurainathar here. Hence, devotees suffering from Mangala dosham (Sevvai) or Sani dosham are said to find relief through sincere worship at this temple. The sacred Sthala Vruksham, the Banyan tree, is associated with the star Magam, making this place especially significant for those born under this star.
Tiruppugazh and Pathikam
The great 15th-century Tamil saint-poet Arunagirinathar, renowned for his sacred hymns Thiruppugazh, visited Tirunelvayil and sang in praise of Lord Muruga. Here, Muruga is enshrined in a majestic standing posture facing east, with four hands. He is flanked by His consorts, Valli and Deivanai, while His mount, the peacock, is gracefully positioned behind Him.
This temple is one among the 44 Paadal Petra Sivasthalams, glorified through pathikams by all three Shaivite saints — Tirugyanasambandhar, Tirunavukkarasar, and Sundarar.
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