Cuddalore Padaleeswarar Temple

Pataleeswarar Temple Thirupathiripuliyur 

Pataleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the town of Cuddalore. It was constructed during the Pallava and Medieval Chola periods. The Saivite saint Appar is believed to have adopted Saivism at this temple. This is the 18th of the 22 Tevara Stalams in the Nadu Naadu region of Tamilnadu.

The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Thirupathiripuliyur - Sri  Padaleeswarar Temple திருப்பாதிரிப்புலியூர் கடலூர் - பாடலீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Padaleeswarar, Thondraathunai Nathar
Goddess Name	Sri Periya Nayagi, Thogai Nayagi
Location	Thirupathiripuliyur  (Tiruppaatirippuliyur)
Historical Name
Significance	18th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams, a tiger-legged saint who obtained absolution here
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Cuddalore

Significance of the temple:

v  This is one of the Devaara Thiruthalam and 18th siva sthalam in Nadu Naadu region.

v  The temple is reverred in the verses of Tevaram, the 7th century Tamil Saiva canon by the Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Appar.

v  Appar, is said to have been rescued from death by drowning here, by the grace of the presiding deity. The famous 'Sotrunai Vediyan' - Namachivayappatikam was composed here.

v  Vyagrapadar (the saint with tiger's claws and feet) is said to have worshipped here, as in Omampuliyur, Erukkattampuliyur, Perumpuliyur and Perumpatrappuliyur (Chidambaram).

v  The theertham for this temple is kedilam river and Vriksham is Paatiri.

v  The town Thirupapuliyur is named after the Pathiri Tree and the Puliyur, a tiger-legged saint who obtained absolution in the area.

Temple History: The temple is constructed in Dravidian style of architecture. It is classified as Gnazhar Kovil, where the image of the presiding deity is set up under Gnazhar trees. Trees like Kondai, Kongu and Theekku (teak) all fall in the category. The temples constructed in wood made from Gnazhar trees are also classified as Gnzhar Koil. Literary evidence is found in the works of Tirugnanasambandar, who refers the temple as Gnazhar Koil.

The lord of this temple saved Saint Appar from drowning when he was tied with a stone column and launched into sea as per the orders of the Pallava king Mahendra Varman. Appar, along with the stone, floated on the sea and safely drifted ashore here at Thirupathiripuliyur by the grace of god. Overwhelmed, he sang the thevaram "Eendralumai enaku endhaiyumai" in praise of the lord.

There is a belief/myth that by worshiping this Lord Shiva a single time is equal to 16 times worshiping the Shiva in Kasi, eight times in Thiruvannamalai, and three times in Chidambaram.

How To Reach : Tirupathiripuliyur Shiva Temple is located 0.5 km from Thirupathiripuliyur Railway Station, and about 1 Km. from Cuddalore bus stand.