14. SRI KRIPAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVENNAINALLUR

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	46th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Nadu Naadu
Nadu Naadu	14th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

Sri Kripapureeswarar Temple is a very ancient Siva temple situated at about 25 kms off Vilupuram.According to various stone scriptures this temple is more than 800 years old.The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva sacred work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams.
As per legend, when Siva consumed the poison that came out of churning the 'Paar kadal', Goddess Parvathy did a tapas to prevent the poison affecting Lord Siva.

It is said that she built a castle out cow butter and then lit 'panchagni' (five fires-panchagni is four fires lit plus the fire from Sun). As this place was built with 'Vennai'(Tamil for Cow's butter) it came to be known as Vennai Nallur. Some old timers still called the Temple as Thiru Arul Thurai

Saint sundarar:

The famous Saivite saint and Nayanmar, Sundarar,was prevented by an old man from marrying at Tirunavalur. He showed a document that indicated that Sundarar was his slave and he is indebted to the old man for serving him for a lifetime. Sundarar called him 'Pitha', a lunatic. The village elders asked Sundarar to respect document and work for the old man. Sundarar followed the old man and the old man went to a place called Thiruvennainallur into a temple.where he disappeared in the temple.

It was Shiva who had appeared as the old man to test Sundarar's devotion. Sundarar felt guilty of calling Shiva as "pitha" (lunatic), but Shiva revealed to him that he was pleased with him and that he enjoyed the verse and requested him to sing verses starting with "Pitha". Sundarar started singing his Thirumurai with "Pitha Piraisudi" verse in this temple and later would become one of the four most greatly respected saints of Saiva literature.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        The temple covers an area of over 10 acres. The entrance has a big Rajagopuram with 5 tiers.

·        As you enter past the entrance you can see the 'mandapam' (hall) where the poet Sundarar argued with Siva who was in disguise as the old man.

·        Beyond that you can see the copper plated 'Kodi Maram' (flag staff), Ganesha and the Bali Peedam.

·        The main deity Kripapureeswarar is in Linga form and is said to be Swayambu (self-manifested) is seen facing east. Nest to this is the sannidhi for Goddess Mangalambigai ,also facing east in a standing posture with four hands.To the south of the temple is the temple tank called 'Thanda theertham'.The Ganesha temple here is called Polla Pillyar,meaning the deity had not touched by any chisel or instrument (pola means to chisel out the granite) and it is a swayambu.

·        Bamboo Tree beneath which Naga Devathas are found. 

·        The Temple has it own Chariot and Pushkarani. 

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Kripapureeswarar, Sri Arutkondanathar,Sri Aatkondanathar, Sri Venpureeswarar
Ambal	Sri Mangalambigai, Sri Verkanni Amman
Theertham	Pennai River, Neeli, Sivaganga, Kama, Arul Thurai, Dandu, Sivnarkeni, Pandava, Vaikunda and Veda Theerthams
Sthala Vriksham	Bamboo Tree

BELIEF:

Those who are impaired of speech pray to Polla Pillayar to gain speech skills. People light lamps with a mixture of four oils made of ghee, iluppu oil, coconutoil and gingelly oil and pray for getting married, childbirth and other success in life.

It is the staunch belief of the devotees that their wedding would materialise if they worship the Nandhi(the bull) with a garland.

Devotees believe that worshipping mental peace, oratory skill and excellence in education.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Swathi Star with 2 day festival for sundarar
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Arudra Dharisanam
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram
Aipasi	Oct-Nov	Skanda Sashti

HOW TO REACH:

The place is 15 kms from Villupuram and easily reached. on the Chennai tiruchy highway after crossing the first pass to villupuram, look for the board to Tiruvennainallur on the right it is reached after  you cross the pennar river. Take the road on the right after agaram and proceed straight till you cross a village called gramam . Proceed further for about 8 kms and the road takes a bend to the left. The first left after this turning leads to the temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri kripapureeswarar temple,

Thiruvennainallur,

Villupuram,

Cuddalore,

Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: