15. SRI SHISTA GURUNATHA ESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUTHURAIYUR (THIRUTHALUR)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	47th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Nadu Naadu
Nadu Naadu	15th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

Saint Sundarar came to this temple after visiting Thiruvennainallur. Thiruvennainallur is where he is believed to have rendered his first hymn and been bestowed with sainthood. On his way to this temple, he was unable to cross the river Thenpennai. He prayed to the lord for his help in crossing the river. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi appeared before him in the form of an old couple and helped him cross the river on a reef boat (Odam). After crossing the river, the old couple disappeared and there was a divine voice that directed him to this temple. When Sundarar looked towards this temple, he is believed to have seen Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy on their bull mount (Rishaba Vakanam).

It is believed that in this temple Saint Sundarar was blessed with spiritual powers by Lord Shiva. This was witnessed by Lord Vinayakar. Since Lord Shiva is believed to have taught the rules and principles of penance (“Thava Neri” and “Arumaraikal”), as a guru, the lord here is praised as “Shista Guru Natheswarar”. Earlier the lord was known as Sri Pasupatheeswarar and the Goddess was known as Sri Poongothai Nayaki.

The temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Pennai / Malattaru. From Sundarar’s hymn of this temple it is known that during his period the river was flowing on northern side of the temple, but now it flows on the opposite side. The historical name of this place is Thiruthuraiyur but it is now known as Thiruthalur.This village was earlier called “Rajaraja Valanattuth Thirumunaippadi Thiruthuraiyur”.  The lord here is named “Thava Neri Aludaiyar”.

Another Shiva lingam worshipped by sage Agasthiyar:

There is another Shivalingam near the temple’s sthala viruksham that is believed to have been worshiped by Sage Agasthiar.

Significance of this temple:

The significance of this temple is that Lord Vinayakar is facing the east, Lord Shiva is facing the west, Lord Murugan is facing the south and the Goddess Parvathi is facing the north. Since the four main deities are facing different directions, this temple is considered very unique and auspicious.

Saint Sundarar first temple after sainthood:

Thiruthuraiyur is the first temple where Sundarar rendered his hymn after obtaining sainthood at Thiruvennainallur. Before this he had rendered a hymn at his birth place Thirunavalur. In his hymn of this temple, saint Sundarar can be seen pleading with the lord to teach him the principles of penance.

People Worshipped lord shiva here:

Sage Narada, Sage Vashistar, Sage Agasthiar, Suryan, Lord Ram, Seeta and Bhima have worshiped the lord of this temple.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        It is said that Suryan is worshiping the Lord here during the first week of Tamil month Chithirai (April-May) by directing his rays on the lingam in the evenings.

·        There is a famous shrine for Ashtapuja Pathrakali (Kali with eight hands) outside this temple. There is also another shrine for Lord Shiva at Kizhappakkam (a place near this temple).

·        This is the birth place of Saint Arul Nandhi Sivachariyar, popularly known as “Sakalakama Pandithar”. He is the second of the four “Santhana Kuravarkal” and has written the famous treatises on “sastra” - “Shivagnana Sidhiyar” and “Iruba Irubadu”.  There is a separate shrine at his place of burial (Gurumurtham).

·        Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Shista Gurunatha Eswarar, Sri Pasupatheeswarar, Sri Thava Neri Aaludayar
Ambal	Sri Shivaloka Nayaki, Sri Poongothai Nayaki
Theertham	Surya Theertham and Chandra Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Kontrai tree

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that Lord Guru occupies an important position. Here, special poojas are conducted on all Thursdays to Lord Shiva and Lord Dakshinamurthy. By worshiping the lord here on Thursdays will bless them with excellence in education and devotes offer Yellow vastras to Lord Dakshinamurthy.

It is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to Goddess Shivaloka Nayaki here for nine consecutive Fridays. 

Devotees who are facing problem in wedding proposals and those concerned with health and welfare of children light ghee lamps and perform archanas with vilwa leaves.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	10-day Brahmotsavam in “Vaikasi Visakam”
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Aippasi	Oct-Nov	Skanda Sashti and Annabishekam

HOW TO REACH:

Thiruthuraiyur is situated at a distance of about 10 kms from Panruti on the Villupuram to Panruti route. From Villupuram it is about 20 kms and from Cuddalore it is about 32 kms and there is a railway station here on the Villupuram to Cuddalore railway line. This temple is about 3 kms away from there.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Shista Gurunathar Temple,
Thiruthuraiyur Post,
Panruti Taluk,
Cuddalore,
Tamil Nadu – 607 205.

LOCATION: