Shankaranyeswarar temple, Tiruthalaichankadu
Location
Tiruthalaichankadu
Deity
Shankaranyeswarar
Female Deity
Soundara Nayaki, Bruhath Sundarambikai
Pathikam
Sambandar - 1
Gallery - Sangarunaadeswarar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located about 16 km from Sirkazhi on the Sirkazhi–Tarangambadi Road. The sacred Divya Desam, Thiru Thalaichanga Nanmathiyam, one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is situated in close proximity to this temple, making the place an important pilgrimage destination for both Saivites and Vaishnavites.
Temple Address
Thalaichangadu
Aakkur Post
Tharangambadi Taluk
Mayiladuthurai District
PIN – 609301
Temple Hours
Morning : 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Evening : 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Temple Specialities
Linga with Hair-like Pores
This temple is renowned for the unique manifestation of the presiding deity, Sankaranyeeswarar. During the abhishekam, when gingelly oil is poured over the Swayambhu Lingam and observed in the light of a lamp, fine hair-like pores become visible on its surface. This rare and remarkable phenomenon is regarded as one of the temple's most distinctive and sacred features.
Panchajanya
This temple is also revered as the place where Maha Vishnu worshipped Sankaranyeeswarar and received the divine conch, Panchajanya, as His celestial weapon. In commemoration of this sacred event, Maha Vishnu is enshrined in a separate sannidhi in the western outer prakaram, accompanied by Sridevi and Bhudevi, bestowing His blessings upon devotees.
A Maada Koil Built by Kochchengat Chozhan
This temple is one of the celebrated Maada Kovils built by King Ko-chengat Chola. In keeping with the distinctive Maada Kovil architectural tradition, it was constructed with elevated and narrow entrances that prevented elephants from entering the temple. Accordingly, the temple does not have a towering Rajagopuram and is accessed through a single entrance.
Somaskanda Layout
The temple follows the Somaskanda layout, a distinctive architectural arrangement in which the shrines are aligned to reflect the divine family. Upon entering, devotees first encounter the sannidhi of Lord Shiva on the left, followed by the sannidhi of Lord Murugan at the center, while the sannidhi of the Goddess (Ambal) is situated on the right.
Temple Structure
Entrance
The eastern entrance leads into the outer prakaram, where devotees are greeted by the Nandi Mandapam and the Bali Peetam. The sanctum of the presiding deity, Lord Sankaranyeeswarar, is situated on a slightly elevated platform. From the southern side of the outer prakaram, a flight of steps leads up to a mandapam, which serves as the approach to the sanctum.
Presiding Deity (Moolavar Sannidhi)
The presiding deity, Sankaranyeeswarar (also known as Sangarunaadeswarar), manifests as a Swayambhu Lingam distinguished by the rare appearance of fine hair-like pores that become visible during the gingelly oil abhishekam. Within the circumambulatory passage around the sanctum, devotees can also behold sculptural representations of Sri Chandikeswarar, Maha Vishnu, Sri Juraharar, Sri Rama with Sita, and the four great Saiva saints (Nalvar).
Other Sannidhis
The southern outer prakaram houses a separate sannidhi for Vinayaka, while the western outer prakaram contains the sannidhi of Muruga. A separate sannidhi for Sri Chandikeswarar is located in the northern outer prakaram. On the eastern side of the outer prakaram, to the right, stands the south-facing sannidhi of Goddess Soundaranayaki. Just outside the entrance to the Goddess's sanctum, on the left, is a separate sannidhi dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari.
Sacred Theertham
The temple’s sacred water body is known as Shangu Theertham, located opposite the temple. Bathing in this theertham on Pournami (full-moon day) is considered especially auspicious.
Sthala Vriksham
The Sthala Vriksham of this temple is the sacred Purasa tree. Beneath it are enshrined a Shiva Lingam along with idols of Vinayaka, where devotees offer their prayers. The sacred pathigam in praise of this temple, composed by Thiru Gnana Sambandar, is included in the Second Thirumurai.
Gallery - Sangarunaadeswarar Temple
