4. SRI PALVANNA NATHAR TEMPLE AT THIRUKKAZHIPPALAI (SIVAPURI), CHIDAMBARAM.

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	58th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	4th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

The Swayambu lingam is small in size and white in colour. The lingam has a peculiar in shape – the top portion is split in two with a narrow gap in between. It is believed that this lingam was installed and worshiped by Poet-Sage Kabilar during his pilgrimage. This lingam is believed to have been hit by the hoof of a horse which had caused it to split. Only milk is poured during abishekam and the rest of the offerings are placed at the base of the lingam. Since the lord here is white in colour, he is praised as “Sri Palvanna Nathar” – “Palvannam” means milk white and “Nathar” is a respectful suffix in Tamil.

It is believed that this place was once on the banks of a backwater (Uppankazhi). This is could be the reason why this place gets the name “Thirukkazhippalai” - Thiru is a respectful prefix, Kazhi is derived from Uppankazhi and Pal means land in Tamil.

This temple is reconstructed / relocated temple. The original temple was about 12 kms away from this place and was called Kaaraimedu. It was on the banks of the Kollidam River. The old temple was totally destroyed due to floods. A devotee by the name of Palaniappa Mudaliar built a new temple in Sivapuri and relocated all the idols.

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, sage Agasthiyar and Sage Valmiki:

It is believed that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar stayed in Thiruvetkalam, a neighbouring Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, and visited this temple from there.

It is believed that sage Agasthiyar worshiped the lord here and he was blessed with the lord’s darshan.

Sage Valmiki also believed to have worshiped the lord of this temple.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·      This is the Moovar Paadal Petra Sthalam.
·     This temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram)
·    In this temple, Kala Bhairavar is very famous and devotees perform poojas for him regularly. It is considered especially auspicious to worship him on Ashtami days (eighth day after the new moon or on the night of full moon). It is believed that the same sculptor who designed the Bhairavar idol in Kasi (Banaras) also made this idol. According to scriptures, worshipping Lord Bhairavar here is equivalent to worshiping him in Kasi. In fact, the Bhairavar is so famous that the locals call it a Bhairavar temple instead of a Shiva temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Palvanna Nathar
Ambal	Sri Porpatha Vedanayaki Ammai
Theertham	river Kollidam (Coleroon)
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam tree

BELIEF:

It is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here and consume the milk used for abishekam of the lord.

Devotees also believe that worshipping the lord here would bless them with prosperity and happiness. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Somavaram
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Thai Poosam

HOW TO REACH:

Thirukkazhippalai is situated at a distance of about 4 kms from Chidambaram and it is very close to Thirunelvoyil (Sivapuri) temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Palvanna Nathar Temple,
Thirukkazhippalai (Sivapuri),
Sivapuri,
Annamalai Nagar Via,
Chidambaram,
Cuddalore,
Tamil Nadu – 608 002.

LOCATION: