Gyanapuriswarar temple, Tiruvidaichuram
Location: Tiruvidaichuram (Better known as Tiruvadisoolam)
Deity known as: Idai-Chura-Nathar, Gyana-Pureeswarar
Female Deity: Govarthanambikai
Pathikam: Sambandar - 1
Gallery – Gyanapuriswarar Temple, Tiruvidaichuram
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located about 60 km from Chennai, on the road connecting Chengalpattu and Thirupporur. The temple is about 18 km from Thirupporur and 9 km from Chengalpattu. An archway on the main road marks the entrance to the road leading to the temple. The village where the temple is situated is now known as Thiruvadisoolam.
Nearby Temples
- Tirukachchur – 12 km –
- Thiruvadisoolam Perumal Temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams, is about 1.7 kms from this temple.
Location Map
Temple Legend
Tirugyanasambandar and the Divine Cow-Herd
When Tirugnanasambandar arrived at this place, he was exhausted and hungry after walking a long distance under the scorching sun. Seeking some rest, he sat beneath the shade of a tree. Soon, a cowherd approached him and offered him curd, which refreshed Sambandhar and restored his energy. The cowherd then asked about his identity and the purpose of his journey. Tirugnanasambandar explained that he was on a pilgrimage, visiting and singing in praise of various Shiva temples. Hearing this, the cowherd informed him that there was a Shiva temple hidden within the nearby forest. Though still tired from his journey, Tirugnanasambandar was touched by the cowherd’s kindness and decided to follow him to see the temple.
As they proceeded on their way, they came upon a serene pond, where the cowherd suddenly smiled and disappeared. Filled with wonder, Tirugnanasambandar realized that it was God Shiva Himself who had appeared in the guise of a cowherd to guide him. In gratitude, Sambandar composed a pathikam (hymn) in praise of the deity, addressing the deity as Idaichura Nathar, commemorating the divine appearance of the deity in the form of a cowherd who had guided him on his way.
The Goddess and the Sacred Cow
At this temple, it is believed that the Goddess manifested in the form of a cow and poured her milk over the Shiva Linga in worship. Because of this divine act, she came to be known as Govarthanambigai.
Temple Layout
This 26th Paadal Petra Shivasthalam in Thondai Naadu is situated in the serene village of Thiruvadisoolam, within the Nanmangalam Reserved Forest, and is surrounded by gentle hillocks. To the left of the temple entrance, there is a sannidhi dedicated to Varasiddhi Vinayaka.
Outer Prakaram
The southern entrance opens into a spacious outer prakaram, where Valampuri Vinayaka is positioned directly opposite the entrance. As devotees proceed in a clockwise direction along the western and northern sides of the prakaram, they reach the eastern side, where the Dwajasthambam (flagstaff) and Nandi are located. This eastern section also houses a sannidhi for Brahmaandeshwarar, beside which stand three sacred trees — Neem, Peepal, and Wood Apple (Vilvam) — that have intertwined and grown together. Continuing the circumambulation back towards the southern prakaram, devotees can see the sthala vriksha, another Wood Apple (Vilvam) tree, along with a sannidhi for Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, facing south. A notable feature here is the snake pit beneath the sthala vriksha, which is believed to resemble the form of Vinayaka.
Inner Sanctum & Sannidhis
An entrance from the southern prakaram leads into a pillared mandapam, which in turn opens to the south-facing sannidhi of the Goddess, Govarthanambikai. To the left of this is the east-facing sannidhi of the presiding deity, Gyanapureeshwarar. The arrangement of these sanctums is unique: standing at a particular point where the layout forms an “L” shape, devotees are able to have darshan of both the deities simultaneously. On either side of the sanctum of the main deity are sannidhis for Vinayaka and Muruga.
A moat-like structure surrounds the sannidhi of the presiding deity. In the inner prakaram around the sanctum, there are shrines for the four primary Nayanmars, Vinayaka, Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, and Bhairavar. The walls around the sanctum feature the goshta murthas — Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Goddess Durga. Gyanapureeshwarar is worshipped here as an emerald Swayambu Linga (self-manifested Linga). During the ritual of deepa-aradhana, the light of the lamps reflects beautifully on the emerald surface, illuminating the Linga Bhana with a radiant glow.
Gallery – More pictures
