Padaleeswarar Temple / அருள்மிகு ஸ்ரீ பாடலேசுவரர் கோயில், Thirupathiripuliyur, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 50^th Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 18^th sthalam of Nadu Naadu on the banks of river Kedilam. This place was called Kadaignazhal, Kannivanam, Paadalapuram, Adhima Nagar, Uthaarapuram, Pathiripathy, and Pulisai. Kadaignazhalur (as per inscriptions), has become Cuddalore. 

   

As per Sekkizhar Periya Purana Thirugnanasambandar, after worshipping Natarajar of Thillai/Chidambaram, reached Thirupathiripuliyur. On the way, he  worshipped Lord Shiva of Thiruthinai Nagar and Thirumanikuzhi.

    செல்வம் மல்கிய தில்லைமூ

        தூரினில் திருநடம் பணிந்து ஏத்திப்

    பல்தொண்டர் எதிர்கொளப்

        பரமர்தம் திருத்தினை நகர்பாடி

    அல்கு தொண்டர்கள் தம்முடன்

        திருமாணி குழியினை அணைந்து ஏத்தி

    மல்குவார் சடையார் திருப்

        பாதிரிப் புலியூரை வந்துற்றார்

Thirunavukkarasar  and Thirugnanasambanr have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

    முன்னம்நின்ற முடக்கால் முயற்கு அருள் செய்துநீள்

    புன்னை நின்று கமழ் பாதிரிப் புலியூருளான்

    தன்னை நின்று வணங்கும் தனத்தவ மில்லிகள்

    பின்னை நின்ற பிணி யாக்கையைப் பெறுவார்களே

... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

    ஈன்றாளு மாய் எனக்(கு) எந்தையு

        மாய்உடன் தோன்றினாராய்

    மூன்றாய் உலகம் படைத்து உகந்

        தான்மனத் துள்ளிருக்க

    ஏன்றான் இமையவர்க்(கு) அன்பன்

        திருப்பா திரிப்புலியூர்த்

    தோன்றாத் துணையாய் இருந்தனன்

        தன்னடி யோங்களுக்கே

....திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

                                                                        -“மாணுற்ற

    பூப்பதிரிக் கொன்றை புன்னை முதற்சூழ்ந்திலங்கும்

    ஏர்ப்பாதிரிப் புலியூர் ஏந்தலே

.......திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Padaleeswarar, Sri Thondrathunai Nathar

Consort    : Sri Brihindanayagi, Sri Periyanayagi,

                 Sri Aruvantha Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with a Mandapa. The Rajagopuram is of 5-tiers with beautiful stucco images of deities. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In the outer prakaram the sthala vruksham Pathiri trees.

Dwara Vinayagar and Dwara Subramaniyar are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner praharam Chandran, Thirunavukkarasar (Appar is in sitting posture with anjali hastham), Procession deities, Palliyarai (Instead of Moolavar Ambal will be brought to Palliyarai to this temple is a special feature), 63var, Sonnavaararintha Vinayagar, Procession deities, Vyakrapathar, Agasthiyar worshipped Lingas, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Valli Devasena Arumugar, Aadhi Pathiri tree with kavasam, Gajalakshmi, Arunthava Nayagi (only pedam without image), Natarajar Sabha, Navagrahas, Bhairavar, and Suryan.   

Ambal is in a separate temple facing east. In the front Mandapam pillars bas reliefs of Rishabaroodar, Kalinga Narthanar, Mohini Dance, Kamadenu worship Veenavani, Avirjada Peruman, Anjaneyar. In the inner praharam Vinayagar, Arumugar procession deities. A Pidari temple is in front of the Ambal Temple.  

The 15^th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns of Lord Muruga of This temple.

    அணிதரு கயிலை நடுங்க வோரெழு

            குலகிரி யடைய இடிந்து தூளெழ

            அலையெறி யுததி குழம்ப வேல்விடு         முருகோனே

     அமலைமு னரிய தவஞ்செய் பாடல

            வளநகர் மருவி யமர்ந்த தேசிக

            ஆறுமுக குறமக ளன்ப மாதவர்                  பெருமாளே

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was built before the 7^th Century by Pallavas. Later reconstruction extended during Chozhas, Pandyas, Vijayanagaras, and Pallavas. As per the inscriptions, this place was called, Pathiripuliyur, Rajarajavala nattuPattanpaakkai Nattu, Thirupathiripuliyur,  and Lord Shiva is called Thirukadaignaazhal Peruman, Thondra ThunaiyaNdaar. Thirunavukkarasar mentions thiruthandakam this temple’s name as as “kadi pozhilsool gnazhaR Koyil- கடிபொழில்சூழ் ஞாழற் கோயில்” –the inscriptions proves the same.

Rajaraja–I’s 14th-year reign inscription ( AR  115 of 1902 SII-VII-739) starts with his meikeerthi records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 48 goats/sheep were gifted to this temple for SirupalaiyuurudayanManjanai alias Rajasinga Perayar by his son Manabaranan. The inscription (AR 131 of 1902 SII VII -755 ) records only his full meikeerthi and the body of the inscription is incomplete.

Madurai Konda Koparakesari’s 18th-year inscription ( AR 116 of 1902 SII-VII 740) records the gift of lands to this temple for “Thirunattakana Perumakkal Peruvazhi” –(maybe for path/ road ) by Thirupathiripuliyur Dhamodharan Orriyuran.

Vikrama Chozha’s 9th-year reign inscription ( AR 117 of 1902, SII VII- 741) records the endowment of a burning of a perpetual lamp for which an amount of 15 kasu was gifted to this temple by 7 people. Another inscription of the same king's 7th-year reign ( AR 122 of 1902 SII VII- 746 ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual Lamp by 4 Siva Brahmanars for which 15 kasu were gifted. Another inscription (AR 123 of 1902 SII VII -747 ) records only his meilkeerthi and the inscription is incomplete... 

Kulothunga Chozha’s 35th-year reign inscription ( AR 121 of 1902 SII VII- 745 ) records the gift of land to this temple. The major portion of the inscription occupies his meikeerthi and was donated by whom is not known. The same King’s 3rd-year reign inscription ( AR 126  of 1902 SII VII 750 ) records the endowment of one perpetual lamp for which 20 kasu was gifted by Chozha Kulavalli Nallur Tribhuva Street Kilinallur Kizhavan Ammayappan Veera Rameeswaramudayan and the same was received by 6 Siva Brahmanars of the temple. The same king's 9th-year reign inscription records the endowment of a perpetual lamp by Nerkuppai Udayan Puththan Kesan. The same King's 41st-year reign inscription ( AR  129 of 1902 SII VII- 753 ) records the gift of land to the street play/drama artist.

Rajendra Chozha’s period inscriptions ( AR 124 of 1902 SII VII- 748 ) record the sale of lands in two places totalling 12 ma. The land was on the north side of “Irandaayirap Pereri” with a way to access it.

Ko Rajakesarivarman period 4^th reign inscription ( AR 130 off 1902 SII VII – 750 ) records the endowment of burning a lamp at ThirunattakaNapperuvazhi, for which 96 goats were gifted.

Veera Rajendran’s 5th-year reign inscription ( AR 132 of 1902 SII VII-756 ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Kudipalli Peruman Thiruvaikanan. MummudiChozhaperiyan. The same King's year reign inscription ( AR 133 of 1902  SII VII- 757 ) records the endowment of naivedyam to this temple for which 80 kalam paddy was gifted by Koodamangalam Pattinavan Kanichan Kadan Devan. The paddy was received by the 5 Brahmanars who do the pooja at this temple.

Vikrama Pandyan period inscription (AR 135 of 1902 SII VII-759 ) records the land dispute between the Temple accountant and the Brahmins. Vikrama Pandya Kalingarayan established the Subramaniyar Temple purchased 2 ma land for Chandeswara peruvilai and inscribed in the temple. This was objected to and claimed that the gifted land belonged to them the Brahmins. This case was referred in the sabha and to the King. The judgement was given in favour of the temple.

Ref:

1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume VII and

2. Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy Year 1902.

Rajagopuram base with kumba pancharas

Vijayanagara Pillars

Vijayanagara Pillars

LEGENDS

Thirunakkarasu  Swamikal was thrown into to sea with a stone tied to his body by Samanars. By God's grace, Thirunavukkarasar came to Seashore (Kadal Karai ), hence Iraivan is called Karaiyearteeswarar).

Viyakkarapatha Munivar ( Pulikal Munivar ) worshiped in the temple hence the place ends with puliyur ( Thirupathiripuliyur ). Agasthiyar, Upamanyu Munivar, Ganga and Agni worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.

The sthala purana was sung by Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, Ilakkanam Chidambara Munivar called “Sri Padaleeswarar Sthala Puranam“

பூமேவு பாதிரி விண்படர்ந்தகன்ற மணிக்கோயில் பொலியமேவி

மாமேவு மால் அயனும் மூவிலை வேல் அம்மானும் வணங்கி ஏத்தத்

தாம்மேவு தொழில் ஐந்தும் பரைஇயற்ற அனைத்துயிரும் தழைப்பவைகும்

காமேவு புகழ்ப் புலிசைப் பாடலேச் சுரன் பதத்தைக் கருதி வாழ்வாம்

உறையேறு சைவநெறி வளர்ந்தேறச் சமணர் எலாம் உட்கிமாழ்கிப்

புரையேறக் கண்டவர்கள் ஆனந்தக்களிப்பேறப் புகழ்நா வேந்தை

கரையேற விட்டபிரான் ஒருபாகம் வளர்கருணைப் பிராடியான

தரையேறு புகழ் புலிசைப் பெரிய நாயகி சரணம் தலைமேற் கொள்வாம்

.... தல புராணம்.. சிதம்பரம் முனிவர்

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri, Sashti, Karthikai Somavara worship, Masi Magam sea bath- Kadalattu vizha-, Vaikasi Perumizha, Chithirai Vasantha utsavam, one-week Vaikasi Pidari Utsavam, etc,.

Apart from this Appar Sathaya function is celebrated in Chithirai. During that time Lord Shiva will be taken out for procession on Silver Rishaba vahana, Thiruvaiyaru Kailaya Katchi, Thirupukazhur Iyakyam etc. Lord Shiva will be taken out to Vandipalayam on Chithirai Anusham day for Theppa utsavam in Appar Swamy Tank.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number is +91 4142  236 728 and mobile numbers 98949 27573 &  94428 32181  may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is very near to the bus stand and Railway station.

The temple is  24 KM from Puducherry, 41 KM from Chidambaram, 44 KM from Villupuram and 175 KM from Chennai

The nearest Railway station is Cuddalore and Junction is Villupuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Appar

Pichadanar

Bhairavar

Elephant worshiping Lord Shiva

Natarajar

Kamadhenu

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---