This place has twin reputation. Of the 63 Nayanmars, this is the
birth place Chandikeswara with Easwara title-Chandikeswara. He graces
in the temple in Arthanareswara form. Tiruvaipadi nearby is the place
where attained salvation.
He appears majestically as Lord Shiva Himself
with crescent moon, long hair, Kundalams (ear rings) and the holy Ganga
on the head. Emperor Shibi, King Harichandra had worshipped Lord in
this temple. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga of the
temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.
Epic poet Sekkizhar had beautifully
described the reputation of the temple in his Peria Puranam. This is
one of the important cities of Chola kings.
This is also
the birth place of Acharya Priavachan Pillai an eminent scholar in
Vaishnavite philosophy. He has authored elaborate commentaries on
Naalaayira Divya Prapandam singing the glory of Lord Vishnu sung by the
great 12 Azhwars.
Among his works, the Divya Prapandha Ramayanam,
picking up suitable lines from the prapandham is chanted by devout
Vaishnavas as Nitya Parayana.
It so happened that Brahmma was
punished by Lord Muruga for not knowing the meaning of Pranava Mantra.
This led to a difference of opinion between Lord Shiva and Muruga. To
meet the Father?s challenge about his proficiency in the Mantra, Muruga
had to act as Guru and Shiva as a disciple. The incident caused dosha
to Muruga.
He came to this place, created a spring and worshipped Shiva
and got relieved of the dosha. Also, on His way to destroy demon
Surapanma, Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here and got the weapon of
Rudra Pasupatha missile. Divine sculptor Deva Thachan built a great
city here for Kumara (Muruga) the place was named Kumarapuram then.
As
Child Muruga worshipped here, the place is also known as
Sei Nal Oor-Seignalur. There is big shrine for Muruga in the temple.
Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Temple Festivals:
The temple celebrates the birth day of Chandeswara Nayanar in the month of Thai (January-February) on the Uthiram star day.
Lord Shiva blesses the devotees as a Swayambumurthy. This is the birth
place of Sri Chandikeswara who blesses the devotees in all Shiva
temples. Lord Bhairava's shrine is in the Maha Mandap, which if tapped
produces a bronze metal sound.
As a small piece of Meru Mount fell at his place, the temple is built
appearing as if on a hill facing east. This is the one of the Mada
temples built by Chola king Kochenganan. The temple has two prakaras,
one at the top and other at the ground.
The sanctum sanctorum, Artha
Mandap, Maha Mandap are in the hill top. The shrines of Lords Nataraja,
Bhairava, Vinayaka, Muruga, Mother Gajalakshmi and Chandikeswara are in
the prakara. If one taps the wall in Mahamandap, he/she can hear
bronze metal sound.Any one facing any
adverse situation in life, may submit their prayers to Lord.
In the contest between Adisesha and Vayu regarding their prowess, the former held the Meru Mount tightly. Vayu blew violently to break the
mount. A small piece fell at this place. Hence, the place was named
Satyagiri.
Do's:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.