Thiru Chotru thurai Nadhar / Oudhavneswarar Temple, Thiru Chotru thurai, Tanjoore Dt.

Thiru Chotru thurai Nadhar / Oudhavneswarar Temple:




The place is about 15 kms from Tanjavoore and 4 kms from Kandiyoor.
This temple of Chotuthurai is one of the Devara Sthalam, on the south bank of River Cauvery. This is third temple of the Ezhur (Seven) sthalams, where Lord fed is devotees.









Main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers




The temple has single prakaram only. As we go around the prakaram, Sanctum of Annapoorani Amman is in the south east, Lord Arumugan facing east is seen in a shrine facing south.








Lord Maha Vishnu sanctum is seen facing east. We get to see Gautama Muni worshiping Lord Vishnu here.









Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan are seen near the temple entrance to either side.









We see a mandapam and Adigara Nandi is seen in front of the mandapam. We see Natarajar in the mandapam which leads to the Artha mandapam and main sanctum of Lord Oudhavaneswarar.




Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam. Teertham is River Cauvery and Soorya teertham.










Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Thiru Chotru thurai Nadhar / Oudhavaneswarar with his consort known as Annpoorani Amman facing east. She is seen in a separate sanctum in SE while go around the prakaram.










Brahma, Vishnu, Sooryan, Indran and Sage Gautama worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Sage Gautama attained Mukthi in this place.










Sthala Purana: Once due to severe famine people were starving. The temple was not taken care off at that time. A devotee of Lord Siva named Arulalan worshiped Lord Siva to overcome the severe famine. He banged his heads to the steps and cried out for help from Lord Siva. There was heavy down pour and the place was flooded. There was a bowl floating in the water which was picked by Arulalan. He heard a voice announcing, the bowl is Akshya Patra which gives food always without any bounds. It will never go dry and it can help in feeding the people to get rid of their hunger.




Since the Lord here has helped to get rid of famine and gave Akshya Patra which gave food, Lord is praised and named as Thiru Chotru Thurai Nadhar. (Chotru means food).





Saints Sundarar, Thiru Navakkuarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here. Thiru Ramalinga Vallalaar has praised and worshiped Lord here.

Kayaroganar Siva Temple, Nagapattinam

Thiru Kayaroganeswarar Siva temple, of Nagapattinam.



The place Nagapattinam is about 25 kms from Thiruvarore.








This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam in Nagapattinam town. The temple is one of Saptha Vidanga Sthalam and he is known as Sundara Vidangar... The place is one of Mukthi sthalam and considered equal to Kasi Kshetram.













Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Kayaroganeswarar and his consort known as Neelayadakshi Amman. This is one of Sakthi Peetam. Urchavar here, known as Chandra shekarar. Sthala Vinayakar of this temple is known as Nagabarana Vinayakar. Thyagesar sannidhi is next to main sanctum. At the back of main Lingam in the sanctum we see Somaskanda moorthy.








Amman sannidhi is separate sanctum with a kodi maram in front. Here Ambal is like a teenage girl before marriage. Nandi Devar in the temple of Ambal sanctum in front is seen with his head turned towards Lord Siva’s Sanctum.



Purana says Nandi in this sanctum, was appointed to take care of Ambal who is teenage girl before marriage. Since Nandi is devotee of Lord Siva he said he wanted to have darshan of Lord Siva always. Lord asked him to stay here and have darshan of Him.
This is the reason for Nandi turning his face towards Lord Siva’s Sanctum. Nandi eye is sculptured in such way one eye is looking at Lord Siva and the other eye towards Ambal.


Sthala Vruksham is Mango tree and teertham known as Pundareeka teertham and Deva teertham.





There is a big Nandi seen in mandapam.






We see beautiful sculptures related stories of the temple on the top of the mandapam to four sides.






Importance of this place is Adiseshan worshiped Lord Siva here. Adipattha Nayanar was born in this place and attained Mukthy here. King Dasarathaworshiped installed Sani Bagawan in this temple and worshiped. Ashtabuja Durgai and Asthabuja Bairavar are seen as we go around the prakaram. Arumugan is seen with Thiruvasi and 12 hands holding weapons.


Lord Murugan, Thirumal, Agasthiyar, Vashistar, Musukunda Chakkravarthy, worshiped Lord Siva and they were blessed by Him. Lord Siva of this temple was worshiped by Saptha Rishis.



Sthala Purana says Pundareeka Muni, meditated and worshiped Lord Siva to attain “Mukthi” He was guided by Kanva maharishi to do so. Lord Siva was pleased and “He” embrased Muni and gave Mukthi. Hence Lord Siva is known as Kayaroganeswarar.
Azhuguni chittar jeeva samadi is in the temple.



Thiru Gyanasambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar composed Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.


Stone inscriptions of First Rajarajan and Kulothungan period are seen in temple.