Thiruvothur

Paadal Petra Sthalams

God

Vedapureeswarar (also called Vedanadar), facing east

Goddess

Balagujambikai (also called Ilamulai Nayaki), facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Pazhai Andavar, Nagalingam, Kalatheeswarar, Chidambareswarar, Annamalaiyar, Ekambaranathar, Jambukeswarar, Meikandar, Arulnidisivam, Maraignanasambandar, Umapathi Sivan. Inner Prakaram – 108 Lingam, 63 Nayanmar, Valampuri Vinayaka, Arumuga with consorts, Bhairava, Suryan, Chandran, Mahavishnu, Somaskandar, Narthana Vinayaka, Balamuruga. Sanctum Niches of main deity – Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara. Sanctum Niches of Goddess shrine and around – Meenakshi, Saraswathi, Durga, Sangeswarar, Vinayaka.

Thiruvothur is a large east facing temple situated on the North Banks of the Cheyyar River. There are 3 Prakarams which are entered through the large 6 tiered Rajagopuram at the eastern side. In the outer Prakaram are separete shrines for Panchabootha Lingams representing Earth (Ekambareswarar, Kancheepuram), Fire (Annamaleswarar, Thiruvannamalai), Water (Jambukeswarar, Thiruvanaikaval), Wind (Kalahastheeswarar, Kalahasti) and Air (Chidambareswarar, Chidambaram). The group of sacred trees, Palmyra Palm is also present in this Prakaram. The Nandi here is facing east looking away from the Lord. From one spot at the Mantapa, it is possible to see the Main Deity, Goddess, Ganesha, Muruga, Navagrahas and the Holy Trees, which is a unique feature. A large idol of the Palm Tree, half male and half female, is seen inside at the entrance with Thirugnanasambandar in front rendering Hymns. There is a large 100 Pillar Mantapam in the outer Prakaram with a shrine for Thirugnanasambandar. The large pillars in this Mantapam have some exquisite carvings too. To the south and opposite this Mantapam is the Temple Tank and Nandavanam (Flower Garden).

Holy Water (Theertham) – Cheyyar River, Kalyanakoti Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Panai (Palmyra Palm – Borassus flabellifer)

History

The temple has been visited and praised in the Hymns of Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE). It is believed that Thirugnanasambandar has also visited and rendered Hymns, but the same has not been recovered or established yet. Saint Arunagirinathar (15th Century CE) has visited and sung the praise of Lord Muruga here at Thiruvothur in his Thirupugazh. Stone inscriptions belonging the Chola periods of Rajathiraja, Rajendra, Kulothunga and Vikrama Chola have been found here mentioning the name of the Lord as ‘Othur Udaya Nayanar’, recording donations of land for the purposes of maintenance of the temple.

Legend

The Lord is believed to have preached the Vedas to the Devas here at Thiruvothur and hence his name is Veda Pureeeswarar. The lord is beleived to have sent his forces and Nandi to the help of King Thondaiman during a war and thus the Nandi is seen facing the opposite direction of the Lord. Thirugnanasambandar is believed to have convereted the male Palm trees here to female ones through the rendering of his Hymns in a challenge with the Jains. In the same instance he is also believed to have made his writings on a palm leaf float upriver against the Jains’ which went downriver (The same event is also the legend of Thiruvedagam near Madurai). Saint Thirugnanasambandar is also believed to have sent the snake directed to kill him by the Jains back at them, with the Lord himself appearing as a Snake Charmer to take it away.

Directions

Thiruvothur is in the southern part of Cheyyar town on the banks of the River Cheyyar.

Stay and Food

Cheyyar has some small restaurants for food. Closest for stay would be Kancheepuram.

Paadal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples