18. SRI PADALEESWARAR TEMPLE THIRUPATHIRIPULIYUR CUDDALORE

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	50th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Nadu Naadu
Nadu Naadu	18th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

Once, Lord Shiva and Parvathi were playing the game of dice. Though Parvathi won every time, the LORD could not accept it.  The goddess said that she will cover the eyes of Shiva and to check if he really can win. . Thus saying she covered the eyes of the Shiva. The whole world plunged into darkness. Gods felt this darkness as a long duration of inactiveness. Parvathi on realising that she has committed a mistake, prayed for forgiveness.

Lord Shiva advised the goddess to go to earth and pray in all the 1008 shiva sthalas and in whichever sthala the left eye & shoulder vibrates, there the penance should be performed by her.

 Accordingly, in the course of sthala yatra of  Parvathi, when she came to pray in this sthala (Thirupadhiripuliyur Padaleeswarar temple) the diving occasion of vibration of left eye and left shoulder happened. Goddess also penanced in the Aruba (formless) form (Arunthava nayagi) and married Lord Shiva. Thirupathiripuliyur in Cuddalore is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu.

It is named after the Pathiri Tree and the Puliyur, a tiger-legged saint who obtained absolution in the area.Pataleeswarar Temple was constructed during the Pallava and Medieval Chola periods. The Saivite saint Appar is believed to have adopted Saivism at this temple. The old name of this place was Kadaignazhal (Cuddalore is the modified name of Kadai+Gnazhal+Oor. Gnazhal refers to a family of trees of which Padhiri is one).

Gnazhar Kovil:

The temple is constructed in Dravidian style of architecture.It is classified as Gnazhar Kovil, where the image of the presiding deity is set up under Gnazhar trees. Trees like Kondai, Kongu and Theekku (teak) all fall in the category. The temples constructed in wood made from Gnazhar trees are also classified as Gnzhar Koil. Literary evidence is found in the works of Tirugnanasambandar, who refers the temple as Gnazhar Koil.

“Thiru Navukkarasar”(Appar) was tied to a stone and thrown into ocean:

During the period of “King Mahendravarman” (600-630) “Thiru Navukkarasar” (Appar) was tied to a stone and thrown into ocean. “Appar” praised “Lord Shiva” and composed hymns on him. “Lord Shiva” was pleased with his prayers and the stone started floating like a boat and “Appar” reached the shore safely. Even now in the place, where he landed on shore known as “Karayeravitta Kuppam” is there as witness.

Madiyanta Muni:

Son of “Madiyanta Muni” worshipped “Lord Shiva” in this place. He requested “Lord Shiva” to bless him legs and hands like tiger, to climb the Padiri tree. There after he was known as “Pulikkaal Munivar”.

“Gnana Sambandhar” addressed “Thiru Navukkarasar” as “Appar” for first time:
“Gnana Sambandhar” addressed “Thiru Navukkarasar” as “Appar” for first time in this place. Saint Arunagiri Nadhar worshipped and sang “Thirupugazh” on Subramanya in this place. ‘Thiru Gana Sambandhar” and “Thiru Navukkarasar” sang hymns on “Lord Padaleeswarar.”

Saint Manickavasagar:

Manickavasagar also visited this place. When he was coming towards the temple, the Kedila river (this river is considered on par with Ganga) was in spate and Vasagar stayed on the other side for 3 days. Lord appeared as Siddhar and asked Vasagar to walk on the water and reach the temple. But Vasagar was afraid. The Siddhar asked him to close his eyes and threw a stick at the river. The direction of the river changed, paving the way for Vasagar to reach the temple.

Nava Puliyur Temples:

This is one of the Nava Puliyur Temples worshipped by Patanjali and Vyaghrapada. The following temples are called as Nava Puliyur Temples.

·        Perumpatrapuliyur

·        Thirupathiripuliyur

·        Erukathampuliyur

·        Omampuliyur

·        Sirupuliyur

·        Atthippuliyur

·        Thaplampuliyur

·        Perumpuliyur

·        Kanattampuliyur

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        The temple is reverred in the verses of Tevaram, the 7th century Tamil Saiva canon by the Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Appar.

·        Appar, is said to have been rescued from death by drowning here, by the grace of the presiding deity. The famous 'Sotrunai Vediyan' - Namachivayappatikam was composed here.

·        yagrapadar (the saint with tiger's claws and feet) is said to have worshipped here, as in Omampuliyur, Erukkattampuliyur, Perumpuliyur and Perumpatrappuliyur (Chidambaram).

·        This is an east facing temple where the 7 tiered Rajagopuram.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Padaleeswarar, Sri Sivakozhundeeswarar, Sri Karaiyearteeswarar,Sri Kannivananathan,Sri Thondar Thunainathan,Sri Kadaignazhaludayaperuman, Sri Utharesan, Sri Patalanathan, Sri Karaiyettrumpiran
Ambal	Sri Brihannayagi, Sri Periyanayagi, Sri Arunathava Nayagi, Sri Brahmanayaki,Sri thogaimbigai
Theertham	Kedilam river, Sivakarai, Brahma Theertham (sea), Sivakara Theertham,  Palodai and Then Pennai river
Sthala Vriksham	Pathiri Tree

BELIEF:

There is a belief/myth that by worshiping this God single time is equal to 16 times worshiping the Shiva in Kasi, 8 times in Thiruvannamalai and 3 times in Chidambaram.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	13-day Vaikasi Brahmotsavam
Aani	June-July	Aani Thirumanjanam
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Fridays
Chithirai	Apr-May	Appar Utsavam
Chithirai	Apr-May	Chithira vasanthotsavam

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is located in Cuddalore, aka Thirupathiripuliyur. The temple is 0.5 km from Thirupathiripuliyur Railway Station.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri padaleeswarar temple,

Thirupathiripuliyur ,

Cuddalore,

Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: