Visited on: 19th October, 2017 and 30th March, 2018.
Location
Thiru Naaraiyur is situated at a distance of about 8 kms from Kattumannar Koil on the Kattumannar Koil to Chidambaram route, near Kumaratchi. It is about 18 kms from Chidambaram.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are – Omampuliyur, Thirukkadampur, Kanattampuliyur, Erukkathampuliyur (Rajendrapatinam) and Thiru Kudalaiyatrur.
General Information
Moolavar | Sri Soundareswarar, Sri Swayamprakasa Eswarar |
Ambal | Sri Thiripurasundari |
Theertham (Holy water) | Karunya Theertham |
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree) | Punnai tree |
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-3, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-2 |
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 33rd Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This east facing temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Raja Gopuram) has 3-tiers.
Lord Polla Pillaiyar (Vinayakar) in this temple is a Swayambu murthy and is very popular.
This is the birth place of Nambiyandar Nambi, who along with King Rajaraja Chola recovered the Saiva Thirumurais from the Chidambaram Shiva temple.
The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 06.09.2009.
History of the Temple
The most significant aspect of this temple is the Vinayakar – also called “Polla Pillaiyar”. Polla Pillaiyar means that this idol is not chiselled but has appeared on its own as “Swayambu”. He is very popular and regarded as the most powerful deity here.
This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).