Sivakozhundeesar Temple, TiruthinaiNagar
Location: Tiruthinai Nagar (now known as Theerthanagiri)
Deity known as: Shivakozhundeesar
Female Deity: Oppilaa Nayaki
Pathikam: Sundarar - 1
Gallery - Sivakozhundeesar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is situated about 26 km from the Cuddalore bus stand. Buses operating between Cuddalore and Chidambaram via Mettupalayam provide convenient access to Theerthanagiri.
Temple Address
Theerthanagiri
Theerthanagiri Post
Cuddalore Taluk
Cuddalore District
PIN 608801
Temple hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Temple Layout and Architecture
The temple has an east-facing three-tiered Rajagopuram. Aligned in a straight line with it are the armoured Dwajasthambam, Nandi, and Balipeetam. Entering through the gateway into the outer prakaram, the sannidhi of Goddess Oppilla Nayaki is seen on the right.
Deities and Sannidhis
The outer prakaram houses several sannidhis, including those of the four primary Nayanmars, Ganesha, Subramanya, King Veerasena, Bhairava, and Surya, the Sun God. The sacred ‘Sthala Vruksha’ of this temple is the Kondrai (Laburnum) tree.
Nataraja Sabha - A Rare Trinity
As we walk clockwise along the outer prakaram, a southern entrance leads to the Nataraja Sabha. On a pedestal in front of Nataraja are two small idols—one of Mahavishnu blowing his conch, and the other of Brahma playing a five-faced instrument. This rare depiction shows Shiva performing His cosmic dance to the tunes of Vishnu and Brahma. The darshan of these Trimurthys is considered highly auspicious, and musicians and dancers often come here to perform special pujas. It is believed that those who pray at this sannidhi attain excellence in their respective art forms.
The Presiding Deity
The presiding deity, Sivakozhundeesar, is a swayambhoo Linga. On the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of the Tamil month Panguni, the sun’s rays fall directly on the deity. Surrounding the sanctum as Goshta Murthas are Narthana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Chandeshwarar, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, and Goddess Durga. Both Brahma and Vishnu, depicted in a standing posture, flank Lingothbhavar in worship.
Temple Significance and Legends
Legend of Periyan and the Miraculous Harvest
Periyan and his wife, a humble peasant couple from this region, were deeply devoted to God Shiva. Their daily practice was to eat only after feeding a devotee of Shiva. To test their unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva created a situation where no devotee came to their home. Yet, the couple remained steadfast, determined to serve someone before partaking themselves.
Determined to uphold their daily practice, the couple sought out the laborers who usually worked on their farm. To their surprise, the fields were empty that day. Undeterred, they patiently waited for someone to arrive, so they could offer a meal before partaking themselves.
At that moment, Shiva appeared before them in the guise of a devotee. He declared that he would accept their hospitality only if they allowed him to work in their field first, after which he would partake of their food as a reward for his labor. The devoted couple agreed and invited him to plough their field.
When they returned later with a home-cooked meal for their guest, they were astonished to see their field filled with a fully grown crop, ready for harvest. Under the shade of a kondrai maram in the field, the couple fed their guest and asked about the miraculous growth of the millet crops in a single day. The guest then vanished, and in his place stood Lord Shiva. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the couple prayed fervently. This sacred place came to be known as Tiruthinai Nagar.
Sundarar's Pathikam
The pathikam composed by Sundarar is recorded in the Seventh Tirumurai. Remarkably, both the name of the place and the name of the deity are mentioned in every verse of this hymn.
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