6. SRI TIRUTTALINATHAR TEMPLE TIRUPPUTHUR

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	250th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Pandiya Naadu
Pandiya Naadu	6th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

Although Tirupputtur is a small town, the shiva temple here is big and as we go inside the temple, it is really huge and causes fascination to the visitor. The temple has a main gopuram on the east side and has 3 prakarams. The outer 3rd prakaram is a wide courtyard on all the 4 sides. In the 2nd middle prakram there are shrines for Lord Subramanya along with His 2 consorts Valli and Deivaanai, Lord vinayakar, Yoga Bhairavar, Tirunageswarar and Navagraha Sannadhi. Entering the 3rd inner prakaram from the east side, one can see the small shrines for Sun God Sooriyan, Mahalakshmi, Mahaganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Varunalingam, Visalakshmi Amman, Agasthiyalingam, Sandeswarar and Durgai on the 4 pathways of the prakaram.

According to the legend, the prominent snakes Vasuki and Kaarkotakan worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the separate shrine for Tirunageswarar in the outer 3rd prakaram. Also according to the legend, Goddess Mahalaskhmi once wished to have a darshan of Lord Shiva's dance. Lord Shiva conceded to her request and told her that she can have a vision of his dance at this sthalam. Accordingly Shiva is said to have revealed a vision of his Cosmic Dance known as Gowri Thandavam to Goddess Mahalakshmi here.

This temple has got the royal patranage from the early Chola, Pandiya and Chera kings, and by the later period Pallavas, Sethupathy Raja, Maruthu Pandiyar etc.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        The shrine for the presiding male deity Tiruttalinathar is situated at an elevated portion and is facing east.

·        The mandapam in front of the sanctum sanctorum has pillars with beautiful sculptured images of Rishabavaaganar, Narthana Ganapathy, Venugpolan, Narasimhar etc.

·        Interesting metal images of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are also seen here. The shrine for the female deity Sivagami is situated parallel to the north of the main sanctum sanctorum and is also facing east.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Tiruttalinathar, Sri Sreetalinathar
Ambal	Sri Sivakami, Sri Soundarya Nayaki
Theertham	Garuda Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Konrai

BELIEF:

Devotees seek pardon for sins committed knowingly or unknowingly.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Chithirai	Apr-May	Jayantan Festival
Vaikasi	May-June	Vaikasi Visakam
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Arudra Darisanam
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is located in between Madurai and Karaikudi and can be reached by road from both the places. It is located about 65 Kms. from Madurai, 20 Kms. from Karaikudi and about 35 Kms. from Sivagangai.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Tiruttalinathar Temple,
Tirupputur,
Sivagangai,
Tamil Nadu - 623211.

LOCATION: