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Two great Siddhas, Padukkai Jadamudi Siddha and Prana Deepika Siddha performed penance in this place.  They installed a Shivalinga under a Gooseberry tree and named in Nelliappar.

Thathiri in Sanskrit means gooseberry and the Tamil name is Nelli.  As the place is fragrant, it is also called Tirumanam-good fragrance. It is called Siddhar Kadu as Siddhas lived here.  In the days that followed it is Chitukadu now.

There are carvings of some Siddhas in the pillars ensuring longevity to devotees. Padukkai Jadamudi Siddha and Prana Deepika Siddhas are in the Nandhi shrine pillars.  Those facing heart trouble light ghee lamps in this shrine. This is the temple for Swathi starrers.

Special abisheks are performed for Lord Muruga on Aadi and Thai Kruthika days and Panguni Uthiram day.  On the Karthika festival day, lamps are lit for all the 27 stars with special pujas.  10 day Margazhi festival is grandly celebrated.

The wedding festival for Lord Nataraja and Mother Sivakami is celebrated on Margazhi Tiruvadhirai day.  Those expecting to be married, worship on this day with all faith.

Temple Timings:

The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Temple Festivals:

Sri Panchamurthy procession on Chitra Poornima day in April-May, Vinayaka Chaturthi in August-September, Shivrathri in February-March, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January, Tirukarthikai in November-December, are the festivals of the temple.

This is the choice of temple for Swathi starrers. Besides Swathi people generally worshiping for relief from adverse planetary effects, those facing obstacles in marriage proposals and those suffering from cardiac problems pray to Lord for solutions.

Wedding worship is mainly followed in this temple. A king, while commencing the renovation of the temple, found the idol of Mother, named her Poonguzhali and erected a shrine. Those facing obstacles in their marriage proposals, perform abishek to Lord with gooseberry powder, juice and seeds and milk to Lord and offer green vastras and bangles to Mother and light ghee lamps. Nandhi in the temple does not have the nose rope as it is soft in appearance.

The sacred word Swathi has in it the combined graceful powers of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The letter 'Va' is in Namasivaya Mantra. It also contains the sacredness of the seed letters in the names of Vishnu, Sundararajar, Vasudeva and Trivikrama.

Do's:

Do pray Your Ishta Devata before Pilgrimage to temple
Do Contact Temple Devasthanam information center for inquiry ,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 deposit your offerings in the hundi only

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any Purpose other than worshiping 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 Dharshanam. 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