82 Friday Temple Visit
2nd September 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
Shri Shista Gurunatha Swamy Temple, Thiruthuraiyur, Cuddalore, Tamilnadu
Location:
Shri Shista Gurunatha Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located at Thiruthuraiyur (Thiruthalur) Village in Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu. The temple lies on the banks of River Pennai / Malattaru. It is at a distance of about 10 Kms from Panruti, 20 Kms from Villupuram and 32 Kms from Cuddalore.
Salient Features
The presiding deity Lord Shiva is known as Sri Shista Gurunatha Eswarar, Sri Pasupatheeswarar and
Sri Thava Neri Aaludayar. Devi Parvati is known by the name Sri Shivaloka Nayaki and Sri Poongothai Nayaki.
The Holy waters associated with the temple are two in number, the Surya Theertham and Chandra Theertham and the
Sthala Vruksham (Sacred Tree) is the Kontrai tree or Golden Shower Tree.
Name of the place & the deity:
The historical name of this place is Thiruthuraiyur but it is now known as Thiruthalur. The place also referred to as Kizhappakkam, as Lord Shiva (in disguise of an old man (Kizhavar in Tamil) is believed to have guided Sundara Moorthy Nayanar to cross the river.
Lord Shiva is believed to have taught the rules and principles of penance (Thava Neri) and the Vedas (Arumaraigal), as a Guru to Sundarar and thus is praised as Shista Guru Natheswarar. Prior to this, the Lord was known as Sri Pasupatheeswarar and the Goddess was known as Sri Poongothai Nayaki.
History:
The original temple is more than 2000 years old but the present structure is believed to belong to the 6th Century CE and credit for construction goes to the Pallava kings. As per the stone inscription in the temple Raja Raja Chozhan (985-1014 CE) made immense contribution to the temple and renames the village as Rajaraja Valanattuth Thirumunaippadi Thiruthuraiyur.
Unique Feature:
The significance of this temple is that Lord Vinayaka is facing the east, Lord Shiva is facing the west, Lord Subrahmanya (Murugan) is facing the south and the Goddess Parvathi is facing the north. Since the four main deities are facing four different directions, this temple is considered very unique and auspicious.
Legends
Lord Shiva helps Sundarar to cross overflowing Thenpennai River:
As per the Sthalapuranam (Legend relating to the temple), Saint Sundara Moorthy Nayanar came to this temple after visiting Thiruvennainallur. Thiruvennainallur is where Sundarar rendered his first hymn (the famous Pittha Pirachudi) and was bestowed with sainthood. On his way to this temple, he was unable to cross the river Thenpennai. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi appeared before him in the form of an old couple and helped him cross the river on a reef boat (Odam). After crossing the river, the old couple disappeared and there was a divine voice that directed him to this temple.
Birth Place of Saint Arunandhi Sivachariyar:
This temple town is the birth place of Saint Arunandhi Sivachariyar, popularly known as “Sakalakama Pandithar”. He is the second of the four “Santhana Kuravarkal” and has written the famous treatises on “Sastra” - “Shivagnana Sidhiyar” and “Iruba Irubadu”. There is a separate shrine for him at his place of burial (Gurumurtham).
Devotees who have worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Sage Narada, Sage Vashista, Sage Agasthia, Lord Brahma, Lord Ram along with Seetha and Lakshmana, the Pandava brothers Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva have worshiped the Lord of this temple.
There is a Shivalingam near the temple’s sthala viruksham that is believed to have been worshiped by Sage Agasthiar.
Other Deities in the Temple:
Apart from the shrines of the main deities, there are shrines and idols of Lords Narthana Vinayaka, Bala Murugan, Natarajar, Rama Lingam, Bheema Lingam, Adi Kesava Bhakthavatsala Perumal, Subramanya with his consorts, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar, Durga, Chandikeswara, Kalabairavar, Nalvar and
Navagraham in the corridors.
There is a famous shrine for Ashtapuja Bhadrakali (Kali with eight hands) outside this temple.
The Idol of Sundarar getting the darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi can be seen next to Lord Dakshinamurthy’s shrine. Idol of Lord Vinayaka, who witnessed Lord Shiva’s discourses can also be seen.
Hoisting flag with Nandi
During Pradosham, there is a practice in this temple to hoist a flag with Nandhi symbol in it. This practice was followed in all Shiva temples n olden days, but is not in vogue now. This practice is still followed in Shiva temples in Sri Lanka even now.
Literary Mentions
Sundarar can be seen pleading with the Lord to teach him the principles of penance in his hymn Malayar Aruvi thiral mani younthi…
மலையார் அருவித் திரள்மா மணியுந்தி… ..
கலையார் அல்குற் கன்னி யராடுந் துறையூர்த்
தலைவா உனைவேண்டிக் கொள்வேன் தவநெறியே.
Saint Arunagirinathar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
As mentioned in the earlier part,
Saint Arunandhi Sivachariyar, has composed the Shivagnana Sidhiyar” and “Iruba Irubadu” on this temple.
Contact
Shri Shista Gurunathar Temple,
Thiruthuraiyur Post,
Panruti Taluk,
Cuddalore District – 607 205,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Phone: +91 4142 248498
Mobile: +91 94448 07393
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