Sri Pasupatheswarar Temple, Thiruvetkalam, Chidambaram - 275 Shiva Temples

Sri Pasupatheswarar Temple, Thiruvetkalam (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Paasupatheswarar, Sri Paasupatha nathar
Name of Goddess : Sri Nallanayagi, Sri Sargunambal
Holy water (Theertham) : Krupa Kataaksha Teertham.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Bamboo (Moongil).
Thevaram : Thirugyana Sambandar.
District : Cuddalore.
Location : Chidambaram.
Timings : 06:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and from 05:30 p.m. to 08:30 p.m.

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Shiva is said to have appeared in the form of a hunter and then blessed Arjuna with the Pasupatastram & this event is enacted during the festival in the month of Vaikasi. Festivities are also held during Sivaratri and during the Navaratri season. Mondays in the month of Kartikai are considered sacred.

The temple is built by Pallava kings strictly following the temple architecture rules with bricks. In the year 1914, this was renovated with stones by Peddha Perumal Chettiar of Kanadukathan. Presently, the temple is facing east with a three tier Rajagopuram. In the four pillars in Goddess shrines, there are sculptures depicting Arjuna storing his weapons, Arjuna performing penance standing on one leg, Lord Shiva in the guise of a hunter and Arjuna fighting with Lord.

Lords Nardana Vinayaka, Siddhi Vinayaka, Anugraha Dakshinamurthy are in the prakara. Sun and Moon are next to each other. Worshiping the planets during eclipse times is sacredly followed in this temple.

History / Legend:

The antiquity of Tiruvetkalam dates back to over 2000 years. It is here Lord Shiva granted the Pasupatha missile to Arjuna. Mother Nallanayaki graces the devotees with four hands holding Lotus and Neelotpala flowers in two hands. There is a Nandhi in Her shrine also. When Sambandar came to Chidambaram to have the darshan of Lord Nataraja, he stayed here and mentions this place in his hymns as Nannagar-Good City. His hymn Pennin Nallal was sung in this place praising the mother. Saint Arunagirinathar had praised Lord Muruga in this temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.

Arjuna, the celebrated archer of Bharatha was advised by Lord Krishna to perform penance on Lord Shiva to get the Pasupatha missile to win the Kurukshetra war though he got many such from his father Indra. Obeying the advice of Lord Krishna, he came to this place which was covered with dense bamboo trees. Duryodhana, as is habitual of him, sent demon Mookasura as a wild pig to spoil Arjuna’s penance. Knowing his intention, Lord Shiva set out with Mother Parvathi as a hunter. Four Vedas followed the Lord in the form of dogs. Lord shot an arrow on the pig while Arjuna also shot one simultaneously. A debate arose between Lord and Arjuna whose arrow killed the demon. The debate turned into a fight between the two. The Pandava struck the Lord with his bow the impact of which fell on every being in the world. Lord Shiva tossed Arjuna with His toe. He fell in the Krupa Kadaksham spring. Mother Parvathi grew angry on Arjuna when he struck on the Lord but Lord stopped Her saying that a Mother should only be loving and addressed Her ‘Sarguna’ meaning a person with calm traits. Arjuna had the benefit of the touch of Lord’s feet when He tossed him. Lord granted darshan to Arjuna with Mother Parvathi and the offered him the Pasupatha (missile) he wished. The bow-blow scar on the Shivalinga is visible even now.

Those facing stammering problems worship here. It is believed that if they consume the sand balls offered as Prasad, they will be cured of this deficiency. Those facing delays in wedding also pray here.

Location: This temple is located within the Annamalai University Campus at Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram. We have to enter the University Campus through the front entrance and the temple is located near the music college on the back side of the campus.