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Sri Shivakkozhuntheeswarar Temple

The Shiva Temple at Sivan Koodal, located near Pillai Chatram on the Chennai-Kanchipuram (Chennai to Mumbai) highway, is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 5th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. The temple is accessible by auto from Pillai Chatram and Sunguvarchatram. It is a protected monument under the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. While the nameboard of the temple mentions its association with Rajendra Chozha-I, there is no inscription from his period recorded at the site. Instead, the earliest inscription found here is attributed to Virarajendra Chozha.

Timings

6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Entry Fee

No Entry Fee


The temple is located on the banks of the River Pennai and is believed to have been built in the 6th century. The historical name of the village surrounding the temple was "Thiru Thinai Nagar," which has since been changed to "Theerthanagiri."


PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE:


1. Jambavan and the Blessing of Lord Shiva

It is believed that Jambavan, the king of the bears, worshiped Lord Shiva at this temple and received his blessings. The temple’s tank is named after Jambavan—“Jambava Theertham.” It is believed that taking a dip in this tank will absolve one of their sins.


2. The Story of Periyan and His Wife

As per the Sthala Puranam, a farmer named Periyan and his wife lived in the village with the custom of offering food to a Shiva devotee before partaking of it themselves. One day, they could not find anyone to offer the food to. Periyan went to his field to request a worker to come to his house so that they could offer food. However, when he reached the field, he found no one there and waited for them to return.


3. The Miracle of the Old Man

After some time, Periyan saw an old man pass by and requested him to come and have food. The old man refused, saying he would only accept food after working for it. The farmer then asked the old man to plough his field. When Periyan went back home to fetch the food, he was astonished to see that the crops had fully grown and were ready for harvest by the time he returned.


4. The Divine Revelation

Periyan and his wife served the food to the old man under the kontrai tree. After the meal, they asked the old man how he managed such a miracle. The old man disappeared before answering. Soon after, Lord Shiva appeared on his bull mount (Rishabha Vahanam) with Goddess Parvathy and gave darshan to the couple. He revealed that he had come in the form of the old man.


5. Lord Shiva's Stay as Swayambu Lingam

The couple, having witnessed the miracle, requested Lord Shiva to stay in the place and bless them. Lord Shiva consented and remained there as a Swayambu Lingam under the kontrai tree.


6. The Name “Thiru Thinai Nagar”

Since Lord Shiva is believed to have ploughed the field and made it ready for harvest by sowing millet seeds ("Thinai"), this place came to be called "Thiru Thinai Nagar."


7. The Legend of King Veeraseran

Another legend associated with this temple involves a king named Veeraseran, who was suffering from leukoderma. He came to the temple for worship, accompanied by his dog, which also had skin diseases. When the dog accidentally fell into the temple’s tank, it emerged with its skin disease healed. Seeing this, King Veeraseran decided to take a dip in the tank. To his surprise, his leukoderma was cured as well.


8. King Veeraseran’s Contribution

Grateful for the divine blessing, King Veeraseran worshiped Lord Shiva and conveyed his gratitude. He then constructed the temple in honor of Lord Shiva, and his idol can still be seen in the temple corridors.


ADMINISTRATION:



The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Wear traditional, modest clothing.
  2. Bathe and wear clean clothes before visiting.
  3. Maintain silence and respect the sanctity.
  4. Follow temple rituals and timings.
  5. Bring appropriate offerings and seek priest's guidance.
  6. Keep the premises clean.
  7. Respect temple-specific customs.


  1. Avoid modern or revealing clothing.
  2. Don’t bring leather, alcohol, tobacco, or meat.
  3. Don’t disrupt rituals or touch deities unless allowed.
  4. Avoid littering, loitering, or loud behavior.
  5. Don’t ignore temple rules or engage in offensive behavior.


Dress Code

Dress Code for Men:

  1. Traditional attire like dhoti or veshti.
  2. Avoid wearing shirts inside sanctum areas (if required by custom).


Dress Code for Women:

  1. Saree, salwar kameez, or other modest traditional attire.
  2. Avoid modern or revealing clothing like skirts or jeans.


How to reach

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BEST TIME TO VISIT:

The best season to visit the Sivakozhundeeswarar Temple in Teerthanagari, Cuddalore is during the winter months (November to February).


By Road:

  1. Teerthanagari is well-connected by roads to nearby towns and cities.
  2. Buses and private taxis are available from Cuddalore (approximately 20–25 km away).


By Train:

  1. The nearest railway station is Cuddalore Port Junction or Thirupadiripuliyur Railway Station.
  2. From the station, you can take a taxi or bus to the temple.


By Air:

  1. The nearest airport is Puducherry Airport (around 50 km away).
  2. Alternatively, you can fly to Chennai International Airport (about 200 km) and travel by road or rail.


Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers:


Thenpennai River (South Pennar River):



Flows near the temple, adding to its spiritual significance.


Cities:



  1. Cuddalore: The district headquarters, approximately 25 km from the temple.
  2. Panruti: Known for its cashew and jackfruit production, located about 20 km away.
  3. Villupuram: Another major city, around 35 km from the temple.
  4. Pondicherry (Puducherry): A nearby Union Territory, around 50 km away.