Siddha Natheswarar temple, TiruNaraiyur
Location
TiruNaraiyur (Siddheecharam)
Deity
Siddhi Natheswarar
Female Deity
Soundara Nayaki, Azhagambikai
Pathikam
Sundarar - 1, Sambandar - 3
Gallery – Siddhi Nadheswarar Temple, TiruNaraiyur
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located about 10 km from Kumbakonam on the road leading to Nachiyar Koil. It lies very close to the main road, near the Thirunaraiyur bus stop. The renowned Nachiyar Koil, one of the 108 Divya Desam temples dedicated to MahaVishnu, is situated just 1 km from this temple.
Temple Address
TiruNaraiyur
Natchiar Kovil Post
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur District
Tamil Nadu – PIN 612102
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Tiru-Penu-Perunthurai – 3 kms | |
| 2 | Arisil-Karai-Puthur – 2.5 kms | |
| 3 | Shivapuram – 5.4 kms | |
| 4 | Tiru-Kalaya-Nallur – 6.7 kms | |
| 5 | Tiru-Karuk-Kudi – 7.9 kms | |
| 6 | Tiru-Vanjiyam – 20 kms |
Nearby Vaishnavite Temple
| 1 | Natchiar Kovil – 950 m |
Location Map – Siddhi Natheswarar Temple, TiruNaraiyur
Temple Layout
Orientation
The temple, which received renovations during the Chola period, features a five-tiered Rajagopuram facing west. Upon entering through the gopuram gateway, one can see directly ahead the flagstaff adorned with a covering, the Kodimara Vinayakar, the balipeetam, and Nandi. In the sanctum (garbhagriha), the presiding deity appears in the form of a Shiva Lingam, facing the western direction.
Notable Sculptures
In this temple, among the Goshta Murthas on the walls surrounding the sanctum, there is a Dakshinamurti on the southern side and another Dakshinamurti on the western side. Opposite the Dakshinamurti in the west is the sannidhi of Navagrahas. The sculptures of Ardhanareeswarar, depicted with the right hand resting on the head of the Rishabha (bull), and Bhikshadanar are noteworthy and worthy of admiration. The artistic beauty of Lingodbhavar in the Goshta is remarkable.
Chandikeshwarar
A unique feature of this temple is the presence of three Chandikeswarars enshrined within a single sanctum in the prakaram. The Goddess Soundara Nayaki appears in a separate sannidhi. Sage Medhavi Maharishi also has an exclusive sannidhi at this temple.
Sun Salutation
The sacred temple tank is known as Brahma Theertham and is located to the north of the temple. During the Tamil months of Maasi and Aavani, for three days each, the rays of the Sun fall directly on the Moolavar Lingam. It is believed that the Sun God himself worships the deity at this temple.
Sthala Purana
Introduction
The sacred place is known as Tirunaraiyur, and the temple is called Siddheeswaram. Sage Medhavi Maharishi, a devoted worshipper of Shiva, performed penance here with a unique wish—that Mahalakshmi, the consort of Mahavishnu, be born as his daughter, even though he himself did not worship Mahavishnu. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva conveyed the sage's wish to Mahavishnu. In accordance with this divine will, Mahalakshmi appeared before Medhavi Maharishi in a blossoming lotus in the temple tank. The sage lovingly raised her as his own daughter and, when she came of age, desired to give her in marriage to Mahavishnu. In fulfillment of this sacred union, Shiva and Goddess Parvati themselves presided over and solemnized the divine wedding of Mahavishnu and Mahalakshmi.
Story of Korakka Siddhar
Korakka Siddhar worshipped the deity at this temple to be cured of a skin ailment that afflicted him. By the grace of the God, he was relieved of his illness. As the deity bestowed blessings upon the Siddhar, the deity came to be known as Siddhanatheswarar, and the temple as Siddheeswaram. Furthermore, Thirunaraiyur is regarded as the birthplace of Mahalakshmi, while the nearby Vaishnavite temple, Nachiyar Koil, is considered her marital home.
Story of Nara and Narayana
This ancient temple is revered as a ‘Paadal Petra Sthalam’, having been sung in praise by Tirugyanasambandar and Sundarar, and also referenced by Tirunavukkarasar in his Tiruthandagam. It is believed that Nara and Narayana performed penance at this site. During their austerities, an asura began to disturb them. As the demon could not be easily defeated, they sought guidance from Sage Narada and Surya Bhagavan. Following their advice, they obtained the demon's protective armour and earrings through supplication, and then engaged him in battle and vanquished him.
To atone for the sin incurred by slaying the asura, they worshipped Siddhanathar at this temple and immersed themselves in deep meditation. At that time, Sage Durvasa visited their hermitage, but they failed to notice his arrival due to their intense penance. Angered by this, Durvasa cursed them to be born as birds. As a result, Narayana was born as a stork (narai) and attained redemption by worshipping the deity at Tiru-Naraiyur on the northern bank of the Kaveri. Nara, born as a different bird, worshipped Siddheeswarar at this very place and regained his original form. Sculptural depictions of Nara and Narayana performing Shiva worship can still be seen in this temple.
Gallery
