Sri Veerattanathar Temple

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Sri Veerattanathar Temple is Located at Villupuram District in Tamil Nadu . This sivasthalam is one of the Ashta Veerattana Sthalams of Lord Shiva where He vanquished the Thiripura demons (Thiripura Samharam). There are two prakarams in this temple.

There is a gopuram at the entrance to the first prakaram and another gopuram at the entrance to the 2nd prakaram. Inside these 2 prakarams, the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva and that of female deity is situated.

There is no entrance in front of the sanctum. One has to get inside through the south side entrance. On the vimana above the sanctum, one can see the sculpture of Tripura Samhara Murthy with his 12 hands with a stance of Thiripura Samharam. The sivalingam inside the sanctum has 16 faces in it. There are scupltures of Thirunavukarasar and that of his elder sister Tilakavathy.

The presiding deity    :  Veerateswarar
Ambal                         :  Tirupurasundari
The sthala Vriksham  :  Sarakkonrai
Theertham                  :  Garuda Nadi

Sri Veerattanathar Temple is situated in Tiruvatikai,Villupuram. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one among 275 Shiva Sthalams.

According to the legend Thirugnana Sambanthar was glorified by the  cosmic dance of Lord Shiva at this holy place. Appar's sister Thilakavathiyar settled here during her later years and devoted her lifetime service to the Lord Siva.

Also notable saints Thirunavukkarasar, and Arunagirinathar visited and wrote many hymns on the Lord. Afflicted by a painful illness, Thirunavukkarasar prayed for relief at this temple where his sister Thilagavathiyar served and was cured.

This temple is the place where Lord shiva destroyed three rakshashas (demons) and the three cities created by them. Saranarayana Perumal, another name of Lord Vishnu, is the one who gave the saram  to Lord shiva for killing the demons.Hence the name Saranarayanar. The Saranarayana Perumal temple is also located in Panruti.

The marriage of Shiva and Uma took place at this shetram and a panel depicting the marriage is seen behind the Sivalingam in the sanctum.



Do:
  • 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.

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