Thirunaaraiyur Soundaranadar Temple

Thirunaaraiyur

Paadal Petra Sthalams - Cuddalore District

God

Soundaranadar, facing east

Goddess

Thirupurasundari, facing south in a separate shrine

Other Deities

Pollapillayar, Vinayagar, Muruga, Gajalakshmi, Thirumoolanadar, Navagrahas, Nataraja, Nalwar, Santhanachariyar, Sekkizhar, Chandrasekara, Sage Agastya, Sage Bhaga, Nambiandar Nambi, Rajaraja Chola, Saneeswara, Bhairava, Surya

Thirunaaraiyur Soundaranadar Temple is an east facing temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. There are 2 Prakarams and a temple tank opposite the temple in front. The Vinayaka here was not created with a chisel (Pollal in tamil) hence he was called Pollalilla Pillayar which later became Polla Pillayar. This is the birthplace of Nambiandar Nambi and his house opposite the temple has been turned into a memorial.

Holy water (Theertham) – Karunya Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Punnagam (Punnai – Calophyllum inophyllum)

History

Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram Hymns for the Lord here at Thirunaaraiyur Soundaranadar Temple.

Legend

Nambiyandar Nambi is believed to have received the blessings of Pollapillayar (suyambu) here at Thirunaaraiyur Soundaranadar Temple to locate the lost manuscripts of the Thevaram Hymns. A Gandharva who disturbed the penance of Sage Durvasa was condemned into a Naarai (egret) and was relieved of his curse here at Thirunaaraiyur Soundaranadar Temple. Hence the name of the place and temple.

Directions

Thirunaaraiyur Soundaranadar Temple is 6 kms north east of Kattumannarkovil.

Stay and Food

Chidambaram is the closest and has good hotels to eat and stay. Kattumannarkovil has a few small eateries.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples