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Odhanavan Eswarar Temple

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambhu Murti (self-manifested). This is one of the Saptha Sthana temples of Thiruvaiyaru. This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambandar, Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams. This ancient temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Kudamurutti.

Timings

07:00 AM to 12:00 and 04:30 PM to 08:30 PM.

Entry Fee

No Entry Fee

  1. This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
  2. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambhu Murti (self-manifested). This is one of the Saptha Sthana temples of Thiruvaiyaru. 
  3. This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambandar, Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
  4. This ancient temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Kudamurutti.
  5. As per Sthala Puranam, during a time of drought, Lord Shiva gave a bowl (“Akshaya Pathiram”) to a devotee couple, Arulalar and his wife, when they pleaded for food.
  6.  It is believed that the Akshaya Pathiram never ran out of food. 
  7. The couple fed all the people in their village using food from that bowl. Hence this lord here is praised as “Sri Tholaiyachelvar”, “Sri Chotruthurai Nathar” and “Sri Chorudaiyan.
  8.  The goddess is praised as “Sri Annapoorani”. This place gets the name “Chotruthurai”. “Choru” and “annam” both mean food in Tamil. This place is also known as “Annam Vatra sthalam” (“annam” means food, “vatra” means something that never finishes and “sthalam” means place in Tamil).
  9.  It is believed that this is the second temple where Lord Shiva gave away the “Akshaya Pathiram” to his devotees. 
  10. The first one being Kasi (Banaras). It is also believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy gave rice from the surrounding paddy fields to a large number of devotees.
  11.  Hence these paddy fields are also called “Annam Padaitha Vayal”. “Choru” not only refers to food but also to the process of obtaining salvation and reaching the abode of Lord Shiva. 
  12. The lord here is not only providing food to satisfy one’s hunger but also blessing them with salvation.
  13.  Hence the lord here is also praised as Sri Chotruthurai Nathar (“Sri Othanavaneswarar” in Sanskrit). 
  14. It is believed that Sage Gautama, one of the seven rishis (“Saptha Rishis”), stayed here and worshipped Lord Shiva. He attained salvation here and hence this place also gets the name Gautama Ashram.
  15.  It is believed that lords Brahma, Mahavishnu, Indra, Suryan, Rishi Gautama, Saints Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar have worshipped the lord here.


Do's and Don'ts

  1. Dress modestly. This means covering your shoulders and knees. You may also want to remove your shoes before entering the temple.
  2. Be respectful of the other devotees. This means speaking quietly and avoiding any disruptive behaviour.
  3. Take your time and enjoy the experience. The temple is a place of peace and tranquillity, so take some time to relax and appreciate the beauty of the surroundings.
  4. If you are able, make a donation to the temple. This is a way of showing your appreciation for the temple and its upkeep.
  5. Take photos, but be respectful of the other devotees. Do not take photos of people without their permission.


  1. Do not consume alcohol or drugs on the temple premises.
  2. Do not smoke on the temple premises.
  3. Do not bring food into the temple.
  4. Do not touch the idols or other sacred objects.
  5. Do not enter the temple if you are menstruating.
  6. Do not argue with or disrespect the temple staff or other devotees.


Dress Code

Women: Saree, Salwar Kameez, Half sarees.

Men:  A traditional and respectful choice, a white or off-white dhoti worn around the waist is commonly embraced by men visiting this temple.


How to reach

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By Train:

Nearest Railway Station:

  1. The nearest major railway station is Villupuram Junction (station code: VM). It is well-connected to major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, and Puducherry.
  2. From Villupuram Junction, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Thiruchotruthurai. The distance is approximately 40-50 km.


By Air:

Nearest Airport:

  1. The nearest major airport is Chennai International Airport (IATA code: MAA), which is approximately 260 km away from Thiruchotruthurai.
  2. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Thiruchotruthurai via the road routes mentioned above.


By Road:

From Chennai (Approximately 275 km):

  1. Take NH32 or NH45 towards Kanchipuram.
  2. From Kanchipuram, head towards Vandavasi on SH5.
  3. Continue on SH5 towards Gingee and then towards Villupuram.
  4. From Villupuram, take the road towards Kallakurichi.
  5. Thiruchotruthurai is located near Kallakurichi. Follow local signs or ask for directions to the temple.


From Bangalore (Approximately 280 km):

  1. Take NH44 towards Krishnagiri.
  2. From Krishnagiri, continue on NH44 towards Vaniyambadi and Tirupattur.
  3. Take SH7 towards Harur and Dharmapuri.
  4. From Dharmapuri, head towards Tiruvannamalai on SH18.
  5. Continue on SH18 towards Gingee and Villupuram.
  6. Follow directions from Villupuram as mentioned above.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

RIVERS


River Kudamurutti:

The temple is situated on the southern bank of the River Kudamurutti. This river adds to the scenic beauty and spiritual significance of the temple surroundings.


River Cauvery (Kaveri):

While not directly adjacent to the temple, the River Cauvery (Kaveri), one of the major rivers in Tamil Nadu, flows relatively close to the region. It is a significant river in South India, known for its cultural and ecological importance.


Cities and Towns:


Kumbakonam:

Kumbakonam is a historical town located approximately 25 kilometers from Thiruchotruthurai. It is renowned for its numerous temples, cultural heritage, and traditional architecture. The town is a prominent pilgrimage center in TamilNadu.


Mayiladuthurai:

Mayiladuthurai, also known as Mayavaram, is a town situated around 30 kilometres from Thiruchotruthurai. It is located along the banks of the River Cauvery and is known for its temples and cultural festivals.


Thiruvaiyaru:

Thiruvaiyaru is a town located around 10 kilometres from Thiruchotruthurai. It is famous for its association with Saint Thyagaraja, a renowned Carnatic music composer. The town hosts the Thyagaraja Aradhana, a music festival held in honour of Saint Thyagaraja.


Tiruvidaimarudur:

Tiruvidaimarudur is a town situated approximately 20 kilometres from Thiruchotruthurai. It is known for the Marudhachalam Murthy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is famous for its annual festival, known as Thiruvidaimarudur Mahalingam Temple Car Festival.