Famous Temples Near Cuddalore

Visited on: 18^th September, 2016 and 15^th December, 2016

Location 

Thirumanikkuzhi is situated at a distance of about 10 kms from Cuddalore and about 5 kms from Thiruvahindrapuram on the Cuddalore to Panruti (via Palur) route. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 17^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• It is said that this temple is the first among the 1008 renowned Shiva temples.
• This east facing temple has three corridors (Prakarams) with a 5-tier main tower (Rajagopuram).
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 28.10.2012. 

History of the Temple

The temple is situated on the southern banks of river Gadilam and at the foothill of the Capper hills. It is believed that this temple was renovated by the ancient emperors Thirisangu and Harichandra. It was also improved during the time of the Chola kings. The historical names of this place are Vamanapuri, Indiralogam and Bheemasangama Kshetram.

Visited on: Sunday, 18^th September, 2016

Location

Thiruthuraiyur is situated at a distance of about 10 kms from Panruti on the Villupuram to Panruti route. From Villupuram it is about 20 kms and from Cuddalore it is about 32 kms.

There is a railway station here on the Villupuram to Cuddalore railway line. This temple is about 3 kms away from there.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 15^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This west facing temple has no main tower (Raja Gopuram) and has one corridor.
• This is the birth place of Saint Arul Nandhi Sivachariyar - one of the four "Santhana Kuravarkal".

History of the Temple

The temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Pennai / Malattaru. From Sundarar’s hymn of this temple it is known that during his period the river was flowing on northern side of the temple, but now it flows on the opposite side. The historical name of this place is Thiruthuraiyur but it is now known as Thiruthalur.

As per the stone inscriptions, this village was earlier called “Rajaraja Valanattuth Thirumunaippadi Thiruthuraiyur”.  The lord here is named “Thava Neri Aludaiyar”.

Visited on: 23^rd July, 2016 and 5^th November, 2016.

Location

Thiruthinai Nagar is at a distance of about 25 kms from Cuddalore. Take the Cuddalore to Chidambaram route to reach Mettupalayam (20 Kms). From Mettupalayam, take a diversion route and travel for about 5 kms to reach Thiruthinai Nagar.

The nearest railway station is Puduchathiram. It is at a distance of about 6 kms from Thiruthinai Nagar on the Chidambaram to Cuddalore route.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 5th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This east facing temple has a single corridor and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.

History of the Temple

This temple is situated on the banks of river Pennai and is believed to have been built in the 6^th century. The historical name of the village around the temple is "Thiru Thinai Nagar”. It has now been changed to "Theerthanagiri".

Visited on: July 23, 2016 and November 05, 2016.

Location

Thiruchopuram (Thiyagavalli) is situated at a distance of about 18 kms from Cuddalore on the Cuddalore to Chidambaram route. One has to take left turn near Aalappakkam railway station, pass through the railway crossing and then travel 2 kms along the same route to reach Thiruchopuram (Thiyagavalli village). From Chidambaram it is about 22 kms.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and is the 6^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva graces this temple as a Swayambhumoorthy (self-manifested).
• This west facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) does not have any tiers.

History of the Temple

The temple is very close to the shores of the Bay of Bengal and is believed to have been built by Thiyagavalli, the wife of the Chola King Kulothungan-III (also known as Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi).