Anandeeswarar Kattumannarkoil

Saivite Temples, Cuddalore District

God

Anandeeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Soundaranayagi, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Durga, Lingams, Mahalakshmi, Vaidyanadaswamy, Saneeswara, Bhairava, Surya, Chandran, Navagraha, Somaskanda

Anandeeswarar Kattumannarkoil is a large temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the east. The temple with two Prakarams is enclosed within huge outer walls. The outer Prakaram is large and wide. The inner Prakaram has pillared mantaps all around housing the secondary deities. The swan carvings in between the pillars are beautiful. The head of a Nandi which dates back from olden days is fixed on the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum and along with it is seen beautiful a miniature standing Ganesha. The durga here is considered special and poojas are performed in Rahu Kala. A large temple tank is in front of the temple on the eastern side.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Surya Pushkarini, Chandra Pushkarini

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Anandeeswarar Kattumannarkoil has several stone inscriptions all around which mention the killing of Adita Karikala, the contribution of Pazhuveturayan Kandan Sundara Chola and Sembian Mahadevi for the continuous burning of the Nanda Lamp are some of the information mentioned in the inscriptions. This is also the place where the wedding of Queen Sembian Mahadevi took place. The temple has been in existence from the older Chola period itself. Rajendra Chola is said to have considered Lord Anandeeswara as a family deity.

Legend

One of the Ashta Nagas (Eight Serpents), Anandan is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva here and hence the lord is called Anandeeswarar. A reflection of this is seen in the form of a snake in the hands of the Somaskandar idol here. King Sundara Pandian who was suffering from Leprosy is said to have had a dip in the holy tank here to rid himself of the disease.

Directions

Anandeeswarar Kattumannarkoil is inside Kattumannarkoil town which is about 25 kilometers west of Chidambaram.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea and snack shops. Chidambaram is the closest option for stay and food.

Saivite Temples

Anandeeswarar, Kattumannarkoil