Temple History

                          

                                        

            The temple is praised in the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam hymns of celebrated Saivite saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundar and Manicka Vasagar. “Presiding over the Vedas, clad in tiger skin  Many worshipping with raised hands Surrounded by Bhooda Ganas, Mother Uma singing My Lord Veerattaneswarar on the north of Kedila River Stands majestically dancing.”-Gnanasambandar This is the 7th Shiva temple in Nadunaadu region praised in Thevaram hymns.  

Temple's Speciality     

     

  Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi, large in size with 16 stripes on.          

General Information     

                    

                   The place and the temple are closely linked with the history of Saint Tirunavukkarasar.  Though born to Saivite  parents and brought up by his Shiva devotee sister Thilagavathy, Marul Neekiar – that was his baptism name – embraced Jainism and rose to Guruhood there with the name Dharumasenar.  His sister, a staunch Shiva devotee, dedicated herself to the service of Lord Shiva by maintaining the temple, prayed to the Lord seeking her brother’s home coming to Saivism.

                   Lord Shiva caused a severe stomach pain to Appar.  None in the Jain camp could cure him.  He came to sister Thilagavathy, fell at her feet for relief.  The affectionate sister took the brother to Veerattaneswarar shrine, chanted the Panchakshara-five letters-Na Ma Shi Vaa Ya – and put the sacred ash on his forehead.  Appar also consumed the ash and was miraculously cured instantly of his deadly stomach pain.  Out came spontaneously Appar’s first hymn called Kodhil Neediya Tirupathigam beginning with the line “Kootru Aayinavaru Vilakka hileer”.  Pleased with his poetic skill, Lord Shiva honoured Appar with the title Tiru Navukku Arasar-Tirunavukkarasar meaning king of tongues.

                Devotees seeking the grace of Lord Veerattaneswarar are relieved from the three basic evils glued with humans – viz. Aanavam-arrogance, Kanma, that which follows birth after birth and illusion.  Devotee visiting this temple reaps the benefit of seeing the Lord in His abode Kailash.  Saint Arunagiriar had praised Lord Muruga of the temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.

             

              Lord Shiva of this temple is also praised as Sri Samharamurthi (Tirukedilavanar).  It is also believed that Lord Ammai Appar is praying Himself in the sanctum sanctorum.  Mother is also praised as Sri Tirupurasundari.  Lord Vinayaka is worshipped as Siddhi Vinayaka. Other Sacred springs of the temple are Shoola theertham, the well in the temple, Chakkara Theertham, a tank and River Kedila.                 

                                        

Prayers                           

                                   

          The immense benefit the devotee derives here is total peace of mind.  Every disease will be cured by prayer, stomach related pains and ulcers in particular by applying the sacred ash and consuming it, freedom from enemies, disappearance of any curse following the family generation after generation, releasing the ancestors too from their sins ensuring total salvation are the benefits awaiting the devotee in this temple.  Those seeking child boon consume the milk used in the abishek of Lord.

Moolavar                    :        Veerattaneswarar

Urchavar                    :        Chandrasekarar

Amman / Thayar      :        Perianayaki

Thala Virutcham       :        Sarakondrai

Theertham                 :        Shoola theertham

Pooja                            :        Daily six times

Old year                      :        More than 1400 years old

Historical Name         :        Adhikarapuri

City                              :        Tiruvadhigai

District                        :        Cuddalore

State                            :        Tamil Nadu