Sri Paalvanna Naathar Temple, Thirukazhipalai, Chidambaram - 275 Shiva Temples

04. Sri Paalvanna Naathar Temple, Thirukazhipalai (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Paalvanna Naatheswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Vedhanayagi
Holy water (Theertham) : Kollidam.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Vilwa.
Thevaram : Sambandar - 2 ; Thirunavukarasar - 5 ; Sundarar - 1.
District : Cuddalore.
Location : Chidambaram.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 05:00 p.m. to 07:15 p.m.

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The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saivite saints Sambandar, Appar, Sundararar and Arunagiriar. Saint Sundarar in his hymn says, “Oh! Lord of Kazhipalai, Lord of Mother Ganga, you are my ruler relieving me of my bonds when I think of you from any place I am. You rush there and protect me.” This is the fourth temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Three tier Rajagopuram of the temple is facing east. Adhikara Nandhi with His consort occupies both sides of the entrance. Lord Vinayaka, Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Mother Gajalakshmi, Lords Vishnu, Brahmma, Agoramurthi, Dakshinamurthy, Kirathamurthy, Nayanamaras, Mothers Chatura Durga, Bhuvaneswari grace from their shrines in the prakara. Earlier, the place called Karaimedu was on the northern bank of Coleroon-Kollidam river, it was named Kazhipalai. Due to floods in Kollidam, the temple was heavily ravaged. Then this temple was built with Kazhipalai Lord and Mother.

History / Legend:

Sthala Purana says Kapila Muni during his pilgrimage passed visited this place dense with Vilwa tree. The sand in this place was white due to cow’s pouring out milk voluntarily in this place. So the sand is white in colour. Kapila Muni made a Siva Lingam out of this mud and worshiped Lord. While King was passing through this place horse hoof hit Siva Lingam and it got split on the top. Kapila Muni wanted to make another Lingam for his pooja. Lord Siva with Goddess Parvathy appeared before him and asked him to install the same Shiva Lingam since the milk poured in that place was by Divine Cow Kamadenu. It is believed that those worshipping this Palvanna Nathar Linga would be blessed with all prosperity in life.

Lord Bhairava in this temple is not seen with His dog vehicle as in Kasi. He appears with 27 skulls, wearing the sacred thread and a serpent as belt around his waist and with turf and lion’s teeth. It is said that the same sculptor who designed Bhairava idol in Kasi did it here too. According to scriptures, worshiping Bhairava in this temple equals the prayer at Kasi. The temple is known more as Bhairava temple. The 8th day after full moon day is (ashtami in the new moon fortnight) observed with special pujas.

This is one of the places where Lord Shiva granted darshan to Sage Agasthya. Sage Valmiki has worshipped the Lord here, according to scriptures. Lord Nataraja appears with His turf roughly tied over. Mother Sivakami graces with Her friends (Thozhi) Vijaya and Saraswathi.

Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthi. The Linga is split due to the hit by a horse leg. (They said that it will hold half a litre of milk inside). Pujas are performed for this Linga only. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi grace in their wedding posture behind the Linga. The swami is always bathed with pure cow milk.

Thai Poosam in January-February, Purattasi Navarathri in September-October, Mondays of Karthikai Tamil month covering November-December, Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Margazhi Tiruvadirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

It is believed that consuming the milk used for the abishek of Lord Shiva – Linga – will bless the devotee with a child. It also cures diseases caused due to heat in the body.

Location: This temple was originaly located 13 Kms southeast of Chidambaram on the north bank of river Kollidam. When the temple was destroyed by floods in the river Kollidam, the presiding deity Paalvanna Nathar was removed from there and kept in a new temple built at Sivapuri.

Temple Address & Contact Details:

Arulmighu Paulvannanathar Temple,
Tirukazhippaalai, Sivapuri Post
Via Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram Taluk,
Cuddalore District, PIN 608002.
Phone: +91 98426 24580.