Sudarkozhundeesar Temple, Thoongaanai Maadam (Pennagadam)
Location: Pennaagadam (Now known as Pennadam)
Deity known as: Sudarkozhundeesar, Pralaya Kaleshwarar, Pushpavaneswarar
Female Deity: Kadanthai Nayagi, Aamodhanaambikai
Pathikam: Thirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1
Gallery - Sudarkozhundeesar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located at Pennaadagam, 18 Kms to the south-west of Virudhachalam on the Virudhachalam - Thittakudi road. There is a railway station at Pennaagadam which is on the Vridhachalam - Tiruchirapalli section of the Southern Railway. Pennaagadam is 235 Kms from Chennai.
Temple Address
Pennadam
Pennadam Post
Thittakkudi Taluk
Cuddalore District
PIN 606105
Temple hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Near by Temples
| 1 | Tirunelvayil Arathurai - 7 kms |
Sthala Purana
Indra, the king of the Devas, once needed flowers from earth to perform a Shiva Pooja in his abode. He sent the celestial maidens (Deva Kanniyar) to gather them. When they arrived at Thoonganai Maadam and beheld the deity of this sacred place, they were overwhelmed with divine bliss. Forgetting their mission, they remained there, worshipping the Shiva Linga instead of returning to the celestial world.
When the maidens did not return, Indra sent his divine cow, Kamadenu, to bring them back. But Kamadenu too was captivated by the presence of the deity and joined them in their worship. Puzzled, Indra then dispatched his white elephant, Iravadham, in search of those who had failed to return. Yet, on reaching the shrine, Iravadham also chose to stay and offer his devotion to Shiva.
Finally, Indra himself descended to earth to understand the reason. Seeing all of them immersed in worship before the Shiva Linga, he too was drawn into the divine presence and joined them in their prayers. With the blessings of the deity Shiva, they all eventually returned together to their celestial abode.
Temple Significance
Pralaya Kaleswarar
Once, during the great flood known as Pralaya, the entire world was submerged, except for one sacred spot — Pennadagam. The Devas, the celestial beings, prayed to Shiva to protect all living beings by preserving this land. In answer to their plea, God Shiva commanded His sacred mount, Nandhi, to guard the place. Obeying His command, Nandhi, who traditionally faces the deity, turned instead towards the entrance. There, he swallowed the onrushing floodwaters, preventing them from breaching the temple. From this legend, the deity here is revered as Pralaya Kaleswarar. To this day, the Nandhi at this temple faces the entrance, symbolizing his eternal vigilance.
The Elevated Temple - Kattu Malai Koil
Another legend tells of a Chola king, a devout worshipper of God Shiva, who longed to visit this temple. However, a fierce flood in the river Vellaru blocked his way. Unwilling to abandon his devotion, the king stood on the riverbank and prayed earnestly for a glimpse of the Deity. Moved by his devotion, God Shiva caused the very ground beneath the temple to rise, so that the king could behold Him from afar. This elevated terrain, rising about 30 meters, is still present within the temple complex and is known as Kattu Malai Koil. On this raised ground stands the Soundareshwarar sannidhi, accessible only by climbing a series of steps — a lasting testimony to this divine event.
Story of Kalikamba Nayanar
This is the birthplace of Kalikamba Nayanar, one of the 63 revered Nayanmars, and his wife. The couple were deeply devoted to serving Shiva's devotees through the practice of Pada Poojai — washing the feet of devotees before offering them food. Once, when his wife hesitated to perform this service for a devotee who happened to be their servant, Kalikamba Nayanar, in a moment of stern devotion, severed her hands for neglecting what he considered a divine duty. Pleased with Kalikamba's unwavering dedication, Shiva mercifully restored his wife's hands and blessed both of them. For this reason, the presiding deity is also worshipped as Sri Kaivazhangeesar, meaning "The Lord who bestowed hands."
Temple Architecture & Layout
Upon entering the temple, devotees first encounter the Dwajasthambam (flagstaff), Bali Peedam (sacrificial altar), and Nandi Mandapam. Beyond them rises a majestic five-tiered Rajagopuram (gateway tower).
The main deity, Sudarkozhundeesar, enshrined here as a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Linga, is housed within the sanctum. Remarkably, the sanctum features three slotted windows, allowing devotees to have darshan of the deity from three different directions.
The deity is also known by other names including Pralaya Kaleswarar and Pushpavaneswarar, while the female deity is revered as Kadanthai Nayaki and Aamodhanaambikai.
Tirunavukkarasar's Divine Transformation
When Tirunavukkarasar came to Thoonganai Maadam, he was filled with remorse for the period of his life when he had embraced Jainism. Burdened by the feeling of impurity from his long association with the Jains and their practices, he prayed earnestly to Shiva for redemption, singing a heartfelt Pathikam to cleanse his mind and body.
At the conclusion of his hymn, a divine goblin appeared before him and sanctified him by tattooing the sacred symbols of Shaivism — the Trident and Nandi — upon his shoulders. This miraculous transformation reaffirmed his devotion, and this sacred event in the life of Tirunavukkarasar took place here at Thoonganai Maadam.
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