Padaleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore – The Temple

Padaleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore – The Temple

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 Thekku (Teak) all fall in the category. The temples constructed in wood made from Gnazhar trees are also classified as Gnazhar Koil. Literary evidence is found in the works of Tirugnanasambandar, who refers the temple as Gnazhar Koil. The Temple is having five tiered Rajagopuram with three prakarams.

Presiding Deity is called as Padaleeswarar / Sivakozhundeeswarar / Karaiyearteeswarar / Kannivananathan / Thondar Thunainathan / Kadaignazhaludayaperuman / Utharesan / Patalanathan / Karaiyettrumpiran. The inner prakaram encircles the Sanctum in which the Presiding Deity, Padaleeswarar, in the Linga form, is enshrined. The Ardhamandapam is in front of the sanctum and the Mukhamandapam.

Narthana Vinayaka and Dhakshinamoorthy on the south wall, Arunachaleswarar and Arundhava Nayagi peeta, attached to in the back wall and Chandikeswarar and Durgai shrines in the western wall are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. There are two Dwarapalakas one on each side at the entrance of the Mahamandapam. Besides them, there are Vinayaka (South) and Muruga (North) sides. In front of the Rajagopuram is a twenty-four pillared mandapa and a temple tank.

There is a gateway in the middle of the north wall which leads to the Amman Periya Nayagi Sannathi. Amman Temple is similar to that of the main deity but is much smaller in size. Mother is called as Brihannayagi / Periyanayagi / Arunthava Nayagi / Brahmanayaki / Thogaiambigai. Periya Nayaki Amman is housed in separate temple with two prakarams in the same premises.

The temple contains a Garbhagriha (sanctum) for Periyanayagi, Ardha Mandapam, Muhamandapam, Nandhi mandapa with Nandhi, Dwajasthambam and Balipeeta etc. In the inner prakara, there are two statues for Lord Vinayaka and Visweswara and a shrine for Parasakthi. The outer prakara is empty except for an Papal tree (Arasamaram) and a well. On the way to the entrance, there is a Gaja mandapa on the south side, and a shrine for Pidariamman on the north side.

This is the only temple where Thirunavukkarasar is portrayed in a sitting posture. Adjoining to the inner side of the Inner Prakara, there is a raised Platform extending on all sides. In the front platform, there are shrines for Chandran, Moolavar Appar and Urchavar Appar on south-eastern side. On the north-eastern side there is a shrine for Bhairavar and a peeta containing the Navagrahas. On the southern side, in the east end, there is a Palliyarai and the statues of 63 Nayanmars.

On the western side, a row of shrines of Valampuri Vinayagar, Somaskanthar, Chandrasekharar, Shivalingam, Shanmuga and Lakshmi are placed in an order from south to North. The Northern platform is mainly allotted for Vahanas, except for a shrine for Lord Nataraja at the east end All the above said structures are completely covered by the outer prakara. In front of the entrance, to the inner prakara is the Nandhi Mandapa (44) on which is placed Nandhi. The Dwajasthambam and the Balipeeta, all in a line, facing the sanctum.

The outer prakara is surrounded by a compound wall (Mathil). There is a garden on the southern and western side adjoining the wall. The Thirupathiripuliyur temple car is a new one. The original car is said to have set ablaze during a communal clash. Brahma Theertham in the form of Sea (Bay of Bengal), Kedilam River, River Thenpennai, and Sivakara Theertham in the form of well are the Theerthams associated with this Temple. Sthala Vriksham is Padhiri Tree. The Padhiri Tree and a well, Sivakara Theertham are situated in the western side of the sanctum.