Sri Theeyadiappar Temple, Melai Tirukkattuppalli, Thiruvaiyaru - 275 Shiva Temples

09. Sri Theeyadiappar Temple, Melai Tirukkattuppalli, Thiruvaiyaru (Chola Nadu - South of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Agneeswarar, Sri Theeyadiappar
Name of Goddess : Sri Soundara Nayaki, Sri Azhakammai
Holy water (Theertham) : Agni Theertham, Surya Theertham, Kudamurutti River
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Vanni and Vilvam.
Thevaram : Thirunavukkarasar ; Thiru Gnana Sambandhar
District : Thanjavur.
Location : Thiruvaiyaru.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:30 p.m

For Complete List of 275 Shiva Temples : Click Here

This is the 09th sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Thirukaattuppakki is located about 37 km to the east of Trichy in Tamil Nadu India along the Trichy - Thiruvaiyaaru - Kallanai road. This town is also reachable from Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. Lots of town buses are available from Thanjavur.

The famous Kallanai is very close to Tirukkattuppalli. This is where the river kudamurutti splits from the river Cauvery. Must be noted that this temple is west Tirukkattuppalli and an East Tirukkattuppalli which is pretty close to Thiruvenkaadu (Mercury temple) is different.

Important Features:

The Sanctum is 4 steps below the ground level and the entrance is too small.
Yoga Dhakshinamoorthy.
Sannadhi for Naalvars and Bairavar.
Navagrahas are facing Sun.
In the outer prakaram sannadhis for Valampuri Vinayagar, Sri Visalakshi sametha Viswanathar, Unnamulai Amman, Sr Valli Devasena sametha Subramanya swamy, Sri Boodevi, seethevi sametha Srinivasaperumal, Gajalakshmi, Saraswathi, and Sattanathar.
10th to 12th century Tamil inscriptions are available on the walls of inner prakaram.

The Main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of five tiers and three prakarams. As we enter inside we see Dwajasthambam. As we go around the prakaram we see Vinayakar santum. Main Deity here is Swayambu Lingam known as Agneeswarar and his consort here known as Soundara Nayaki / Azhagamar Mangai. Ambaal sanctum is seen facing south and here Goddess is seen in standing posture. We get to see dwarabalaki to either sides of the entrance.

In the inner prakaram other deities, we see are Vinayakar, Lingothbavar next to Vinayakar is seen in sanctum. Usually he is seen as Koshta Moorthy but here it is unusual. Ardhanareeswarar is seen beside Lingothbavar. We get to see Arumugan with his consort Valli and Devanai. Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Gaja Lakshmi, and Durga sanctum are there. Here in mandapam of the temple we see Bairavar and Nalwar. All Grahas are seen facing Sooryan, in the Navagraha sanctum of the temple.

Sri Yoga Dakshinamurthy graces in the Prakara around the presiding deity. The flag post (Kodimaram or Dwajasthamba) is covered by copper. Lord Vinayaka graces from the right side. Inside the temple on the right is the Goddess-Mother’s shrine facing south. She graces in a standing form with Dwarapalakas at the entrance of the shrine. There is also a Vinayaka within the shrine. Lord Arthanareeswara is with Lingodhbava. Next is the shrine of Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. Then follows the shrines of Kasi Viswanatha with Mother Visalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Durga.

On the right side of front hall (Maha Mandapam) are Bhairava and Nalvar the four – the authors of Thevaram and Tiruvasagam – Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar. Daily pujas are conducted properly as per rules. Masi Magam in February-March and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated.

History / Legend:

Brahmma the Creator, Sun, Bagiratha and Queen of Uraiyur worshiped Lord in the temple. Following the worship by Agnideva (God of Fire), the temple is named Agneeswaram. The temple was renovated during the rule of Uthama Cholan. The epigraphy has mention of Sundara Pandian and Konerinmaikondan. The name of Goddess is mentioned as Azhagammai.

Pujas are conducted four times a day. Water is brought from Cauvery for Panguni Uthiram festival. Devotees having a dip in Karthikai Sundays, Masimagam, Panguni Uthiram and Vaikasi Visagam are blessed with immense benefits.

The consecration of the temple (Kumbabishekam) was performed in the year 1983. As the word Palli is attributed to Jains, it is believed that Jains would have stayed here. Also a statue of 24th Theerthangara is taken from this place. Jain Acharyas are called Theerthangaras. The temple was also renovated by Aditya Chola I.

The story goes that a servant of King of Urayur brought some Sevvandhi flowers meant for Shiva Puja and gave it to the king. The king in turn gave them to his two wives. The elder wife offered it to Lord Shiva while the other wore it on her head. While Tirukattupalli where the first wife lived grew into fame, Urayur where the second wife lived met with destruction.

The legend has that Lord Agni was cursed by Goddess Sri Parvati and turned out impure. Due to the curse whatever touches by Lord Agni was altered into a black substance. All the deities arrived on this sacred land and worshiped Lord Shiva. At that point of time, Lord Agni pleaded to Lord Shiva to restore his purity. Lord Shiva advised Lord Agni to create a pond on this sacred land and consecrated a Linga. He worshiped Lord Agneeswarar with the water from the Agni Theertham. Lord was pleased at the devotion of Lord Agni and blessed him with a distinguished place in Yagnas and Yagas. Thus, Lord Agni regained his purity and the curse of Goddess Parvati remained the same.

Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage talks, excellence in education and prosperity. Devotees perform abishek to the Lord with Vastras-clothing. They bathe on Sundays in the month of Karthikai (November-December) in Agni theertha and on Masi Magam (February-March), Panguni Uthiram (March-April) and Vaikasi Visakam (May-June).

Location: This temple is located at about 18 Kms to the west from Thiruvaiyaru. Town bus facilities from Tiruvaiyaru are available to go to Tirukkattupalli. The temple is very near to Thirukkattuppalli bus stand.