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Lord Shiva, a swayambulinga appears on a square peeta in the sanctum sanctorum with a scar on the head, slightly leaning on the left side. As there is a scar on the head, pujas are performed without touching the deity. The Sri Chakra, installed by Sri Adi Sankara is in the Artha Mandapa. The Linga was found in the bamboo jungle, the Lord is named Pasura Nathar Pasu (Bamboo). As Lord Shiva removed evils of Perumal, He is praised as Perumal Vinai Theertha Easwara gracing from a separate shrine.

Mother Thangadhali graces from a shrine right of the Lord believed to be wedding form of the divine couple.  In between are the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai a rare form showing Lord Shiva family in a line.  Lord Nataraja graces from a shrine opposite the Rajagopuram.  While the Vimana of Lord is of Gajabrushta design, that of Mother is like a tower.  Mother Vishnu Durga in the wall around the sanctum is without demon Mahishasura under Her feet.

In the competition between Lord Brahmma and Lord Vishnu, the former lied that He had seen the head of Lord Shiva.  The palm shaped flower known as Thazhamboo also gave a false witness in His favour.  As a punishment, Thazhamboo is not used for any pujas in Shiva temples.  As an exemption, Lord Shiva allowed it to be used for the puja only on Shivrathri day.  Accordingly, the flower is used only in one puja that day here placing it on the head of the Lord.  Worshipping the Lord in this puja would relieve the devotee from the sin of speaking miles and also from arrogant traits.

Mother Parvathi had to be born on earth as cursed by Lord Shiva as she went to attend the Yajna of Her father Daksha against His wish.  She came to Earth and performed severe penance to join the Lord again.  Lord came here saying Oh My Sweetheart. Hence, Mother is named Than Kathali (My Sweetheart).  People pray to Mother for conjugal unity.  The place is also calledThangathalipuram after the name of Mother.

Vinayaka Mandap: For killing demons, Lord Vishnu lost 11 type of wealth of the 16 under His rule.  To regain them, He prayed to Lord Shiva and as advised, installed 11 Vinayakas here, according to one story. Remembering this event, there are 11 Vinayakas in a small mandap called Vinayaka Mandap. Three of them are facing east. Behind is a Big Vinayaka among small ones on both sides. Planet Kethu is nearby. Lord Vinayaka is he deity for this planet.

The other story attached to this mandap is that it was a court convened by Lord Vinayaka to enquire Lord Shiva for bypassing Him when He marched on the Tripuranthakas.  As Shiva proceeded without worshipping him, Vinayaka broke the axis of Shiva?s rath then. He allowed Shiva to proceed after the enquiry and setting right the axis.

Swarna Kali: A chieftain of this place, Kurumban by name failed to pay his tax dues to the Chola king. Kurumban was a Kali devotee.  When the king invaded on him for recovering the dues, the chieftain prayed to Kali who defeated the king and his army.  The king came to Lord Shiva for help.  Lord sent Nandhi to control and bind Kali.  Nandhi defeated Kali and bound Her with golden chain.  Remembering this event, Swarna Kali has Her shrine in the temple, her legs bound.  Evening pujas are performed to Kali on Full Moon days.

The Lord of the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of saint Tirunavukkarasar. This is the 16th Shiva temple in Thondai Mandalam region praised in Thevaram hymns.

Moolavar: Vaacheeswarar

Urchavar: Somaskandar

Amman / Thayar: Thangathali

Thala Virutcham: Bamboo

Theertham: Soma, Mangala Theertham

Agamam / Pooja: Kameekam

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

Festivals :

1. 10 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam in May-June.

2. Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January.

3. Shivrathri in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Lord Valampuri Vinayaka gracing, the temple has a 5 tier Rajagopuram. The Vimana, tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabrushta design.

Devotees pray for delayed marriages to happen, for removal of adverse effects.

Realizing their wishes, devotees light 11 ghee lamps at Vinayaka shrine and 5 for Sri Chakra.

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 Om Namahsivaya or 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.