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Sudarkozhuntheesar temple here is referred to as Tunngaanai Maadam. Meikkandar the pioneer of Saiva philosophy was born here. This is the 2nd of the 22 Tevara Stalams in the Nadu Naadu  region of Tamilnadu.

This is one of the 78 shrines built by Kochenkan Cholan at an elevation. Theshrine at the upper level (100 steps) houses Javanteeswarar.  A 5 tiered gopuram adorns this temple covering an area of 4 acres.

The sanctum is built in the form of an elephant, with windows on 3 sides. The Nandi faces away from the sanctum. Inscriptions fron the Chola and Vijayanagar periods are seen here.

Shiva            :   Sudarkozhuntheesar, Pralayakaleswarar
Ambal          :    Gadantai Nayaki, Aamodanambikai
Vriksham     :    Shanbaga Maram
Theertham   :    Kapila Theertham 
Patikam       :    Sambandar, Appar
Travel Base  :    Chidambaram

Sudarkozhuntheesar Temple is situated in  Villuppuram,Tamil Nadu. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 275 Shiva Sthalams.

Shiva is said to have been worshipped by Kamadenu, the celestial nymphs and the Airavatam (AA, Penn, gadam hence Pennaagadam).Appar is said to have been blessed with the marks of the Rishabham and Trisoolam here.

There is also the Nandi Mangalam here  where Shiva is said to have consumed the deadly poison that emanated out of the milky ocean, hence Pralayakaleswarar-Sundareswarar. Nandi faces away from the shrine & is said to have swallowed waters of the great deluge.

Appar is said to have been blessed with the marking of the Rishabham and Trisoolam on him, at this shetram. The Nandi in this temple faces away from the shrine and is believed to have swallowed the waters of the great deluge

Festivals:

The annual festival is celebrated in the month of Chittirai with several vahanams and chariots. Other festivals celebrated include Kartikai Deepam, Skanda Sashti, Arudra Darisanam, Thai Poosam, Sankaranti, Pankuni Uthiram and Aadi Pooram.


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.