Thiruppaadiripuliyur

Paadal Petra Sthalams - Cuddalore District

God

Padaleswarar, (also Thondrathunai Naadar, Kannivananaadar, Sivakozhundeesar, Uthaaranaadar) – facing east

Goddess

Periyanayagi, (also Mirugannayagi, Arunthavanayagi, Thogaiambigai – facing east)

Other Deities

Vinayagar, Muruga, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Gajalakshmi, Durga, Nataraja, Navagrahas, Bairava, Surya, Pidari

Thiruppaadiripuliyur is a large east facing temple with originally 5 Prakarams the outermost of which is now part of the town itself. As of now there are 2 Prakarams. A large and immaculate 5 tier Rajagopuram welcomes you. There is a temple pond east of the temple in front. The sacred tree here is Padhiri, which flowers but does not yield fruit. The Goddess shrine is separate and facing east. The spot where Thirunavukkarasar floated back from sea to land is marked with a small Mantapa and a Pond called Apparsami Kulam, about 2 kilometers south of Thiruppaadiripuliyur in a place called Vandipalayam.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Brahma Theertham, Gedilam River, Sivakaratheertham (temple tank)

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Padhiri (Stereospermum colais)

History

Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th-8th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram hymns for the lord here at Thiruppaadiripuliyur. About 21 stone inscriptions from this temple have been deciphered dating from 923 CE to 1125 CE with mention of several kings including Rajakesari Varman, Kopparakesari Varman, Veerarajendran, Mummudichozhar Periyan, Kulothunga, Vikrama Chozha. Several ancient literature have also mentioned Thiruppaadiripuliyur temple, but many of them have been lost over time.

Legend

Goddess Parvati is said to have undertaken a penance under a Padhiri Tree and wed the lord here at Thiruppaadiripuliyur. Saint Mangana is said to have worshiped here to relieve himself of his rabbit form. Tirunavukkarasar was thrown into the sea by Jains with a stone tied to him – with the grace of the lord he is said to have floated to the shore near here. Thirugnanasambandar is said to have stood outside and rendered his hymns hesitating to walk on the temple for which Thirunavukkarasar has rendered service with his hands; the spot is marked with a temple.

Directions

Thiruppaadiripuliyur temple is in Cuddalore Town near the Thiruppaadiripuliyur Railway Station.

Stay and Food

Cuddalore has a few restaurants. Annapurna a small eatery next to the collectors office serves excellent vegetarian food.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples