8. SRI SUNDARESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUKKALIKKAMUR (ANNAPPAN PETTAI)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	62nd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	8th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

This ancient temple is located on the southern banks of the river Uppanaru. This temple is also very close to the Bay of Bengal, near Poompuhar. In ancient times, this place was densely covered with Vilva trees. Hence this place gets the name “Vilvaranyam” and the lord here is praised as Sri Vilva Vana Nathar. Lord Shiva of this temple is believed to be the lord who removes hardships (“kali” in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name Kalikkamur. The historical names of this place are Vilvaranyam and Thirukkalikkamur. However, now this place is known as Annappan Pettai.

Sage Shakti:

This temple involves Sage Shakti, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. When his wife Thirashanti was pregnant, Sage Shakti was killed by a demon called Udhiran. His son Parasarar was very sad when he learnt of the death of his father. He grew into a great scholar of Vedas and scriptures and became a learned sage. He conducted a yagna to take revenge on the demon Udhiran. He also successfully exacted his revenge. However, to seek absolution for the sin that he had accrued by killing a person, he started visiting many Shiva temples. It is believed that he was granted darshan by Lord Shiva in this temple. As requested by Sage Parasarar, Lord Shiva stayed here in the form of a Shivalingam and is now praised as Sri Sundareswarar (“Sundaram” means beauty in Tamil).

Sage Parasarar:

Sage Parasarar was an expert in astrology, hence those who are interested in astrology can visit this temple and worship the lord to seek his blessings.

Idol of Goddess Parvathy:

Once a trader, was suffering from continuous and severe stomach pain. He visited Thirumullaivayil Shiva temple, a nearby place, and worshiped the lord there. He got some relief from his pain. Thereafter, he continued his travel along the seashore. On his way, he found an idol of a goddess and prayed to her. To his surprise, he was completely relieved of his stomach pain. He came to know that this idol was found in the sea by some fishermen. When he was resting, it is believed that the lord’s divine voice was heard directing him to come to this temple. He took the idol also along with him to this temple and installed it there. Interestingly, prior to his visit, there was no idol of Goddess Parvathy here.

To commemorate this event, during the Theerthavari (a bathing festival), the idol of Goddess Parvathy alone is brought to the sea shore. The idol of Lord Shiva is not brought.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·    This is east facing temple with beautiful arch at the entrance.
·   There is no Flag post (Kodimaram) here.
·   There are two Vinayakars at the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum on either side in the form of Dwarapalakas.
·   Goddess Durgai is not present here but an idol of Goddess Bhadrakali with 8 hands can be seen blessing the devotees. 
·   Those who have prolonged and incurable stomach pain can worship the lord by reciting this temple’s Pathigam for 11 consecutive Mondays. Devotees can even do this at their home. On the 12th Monday, they can visit this temple to worship the lord. By doing so, it is believed that their stomach ailments will be cured.   
·   Devotees believe that it is beneficial to consume the “Vilva” leaves used for the pooja of the lord. It is also given as prasad to all devotees. It is believed that these vilva leaves have medicinal properties.
·  The idols in the Navagraha are seen without their respective mounts (Vahanam).

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Sundareswarar
Ambal	Sri Sundarambal, Sri Azhagammai, Sri Azhaguvana Mulaiyammai
Theertham	Ambuli Theertham / Chandra Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam tree

BELIEF:

Saint Tirugnanasambanthar, in his Pathigam, mentioned that if devotees worship Lord Shiva of this temple, they would be cured of their ailments and would be blessed with happiness and prosperity. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Theerthavari
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai

HOW TO REACH:

Annappan Pettai is situated at a distance of about 14 kms from Sirkazhi on the Sirkazhi to Thiruvenkadu route (via Mangaimadam). From Mangaimadam, take the diversion road to Thirunakari and reach Konaiyampattinam and then proceed to this temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Sundareswarar Temple,
Thirukalikamoor, Annappanpettai,
Thenampattinam,
Mangaimadam Via,
Sirkali,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu - 609 106.

LOCATION: