Thiruvathigai

Tiruvadhigai - Sri Veerattanathar Temple

The Tiruvathigai Athigai Veerattanathar Temple, is located in Thiruvathigai village which is 2 kilometres away from Panruti town enroute to cuddalore, on the north bank of Kedilam river.

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Veerattaaneswarar. This is one of the 275 Padal Petram Sthalams. It is the 7th Shiva temple in Nadunaadu region praised in Thevaram hymns.  

Thiruvathigai, Panruti - Sri Veerattaneswarar temple திருவதிகை - அருள்மிகு வீரட்டான்டேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Veerattaneswarar,
Goddess Name	Sri Perianayaki
Location	Thiru Vathigai near Panruti
Other names	Adhikarapuri
Significance	7th of 22 Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu Region, 275 Padal Petram Sthalams, Ashta Veeratta sthalam
Ancient	1500 years old (6th Century A.D)
Travel Base	Cuddalore

There has two prakarams. Veerattaaneswarar is the presiding deity. On the vimana above the sanctum, one can see the sculpture of Tripura Samhara Murthy with his 12 hands with a stance of Thiripura Samharam. The swayambumurthi sivalingam inside the sanctum has 16 stripes in it. There are scupltures of Thirunavukarasar and that of his elder sister Tilakavathy.

This temple is associated with the life of Thirunavukarasar. In the earlier part of his life, Thirunavukarsar was known as Vaageesar. He was a follwer of Jainism during the early part of his life and gave lectures in support of Jainism. His elder sister Tilakavathy was an ardent follower of Lord Shiva at Tiruvathigai and wanted her brother to become a Shiva devotee. She prayed to Lord Shiva daily for the fulfillment of her desire. Vageesar, also known as Darmasenar, was afflicted with an incurable disease and suffered a lot. At this juncutre, he came to Tiruvathigai to visit his sister. Tilakavathy convinced her brother that he will be cured of his diesease by praying to Lord Shiva. Vageesar visited the shrine of Lord Shiva at Tiruvathigai and composed Pathigams worshipping Him and requesting Lord Shiva to free him from the immense suffering. At the instance of Lord shiva, Vageesar took a dip in the well situated in the north prakaram and rank the water from the well. Vageesar was completely cured from his disease. It was Lord Shiva who called Vageesar by the name of Navukarasan for the first time. Since then Vageesar was known as Thirunavukarasar.

The temple is praised in the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam hymns of celebrated Saivite saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundar and Manicka Vasagar.

Thiruvathigai is one of the eight temples in Tamilnadu where the lord Shiva is seen in his fierce form as the destroyer of evil ( Ashta Veeratta sthalams) .  Atta Veerattana Sthalams : Where Lord Shiva vanquished the Thiripura demons (Thiripura Samharam).

The list of these eight temple towns are:

1) Thiruvathigai

2) Thirukadavayur

3) Parasalur

4) Kurrukai

5) Valuvur

6) Virkudi

7) Kandiyur

8) Thirukovilur

How to Reach : Town bus services from Panruti to Cuddalore goes via Thiruvathigai. One has to get down at Thiruvathigai temple bus stop and walk few meters to reach the temple.

Another famous Saranarayana Perumal temple is very close to this temple