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Sri Kripapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvennainallur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu

Thiruvennainallur is a religiously important place in Villupuram District. Sri Kirupapureeswarar who is the Presiding Deity is also called by another name as Sri Thadhathu Atknondanathar and Sri Aruthurainathar. Sri Kripapureeswarar an incarnation of God Shiva is the Presiding Deity here. His Consort, Goddess Parvathi is called here as Sri Mangalambigai. It is one among the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalam. Saivaite Saint Sundarar was very closely associated with this Temple. The Court Hall or Vazhakaadu Mandram where Saint Sundarar fought his case could still be seen opposite to the Temple. There is a small Shrine for Saint Sundarar just before the Temple entrance. Though History tells us that this Temple existed right from the 5th Century onwards, it was the Chola Kings who redesigned the Temple many times during their reign. Sembian Mahadevi, a well known Chola Queen had donated liberally towards the construction and redesigning of the Temple. This Temple is vividly explained by Poet Seekizhar in Thadhu Aatkonda Puranam.

The Temple comprises of a 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple has a Dwajasthambam or a Kodi Maram, a Neivedhya Peedam or a Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam looking West towards the Moolasthanam. In the Moolasthanam the Presiding Deity of Sri Kirupapureeswarar is seen majestically East facing in the form of a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam. There are two Dwara Baalaka Idols standing guard before the Sanctum Sanctorum. The Koshtam around the Moolasthanam has the Idols of Sri Pitchadanar, Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Lingothbhavar, Sri Durgai Amman. The inner peripheral has Sub Shrines of Sri Chandikeshwarar, Sri Sundarar, Sri Murugan and Sri Polla Pillayar. The Ambal who is known here as Sri Mangalambikai or Sri Verkanni Ammai is seen in Her East facing multi pillared Mandapam in a standing posture. A Palliayarai is seen close to Her Shrine. The outer peripheral of the Temple has Sub Shrines of Sri Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Subramaniyar, 63 Naayanmaars, the Naalvar, Sri Somaskandar, Sri Sapthamathas, Sri Thirugnana Sammandhar, Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Arulnandhi Sivam, Sri Meikanda Sivam, Sri Gajalakshmi, Sri Sanga Nidhi, Sri Paduma Nidhi adn Sri Ayyanar. The Temple has a Navagraha Sannadhi on a podium. The Temple has a well built compound wall and watch towers too. It is believed that Saint Poet Appar had visited this Temple on his way to Thirukovilur. It is believed that God Shiva had visited this Temple as an elderly person and had left behind his Paadhukaas or footwear. These footwear are still preserved in the Sanctum of the Temple. Some old timers still called the Temple as Thiru Arul Thurai. The Temple has it own Chariot and Pushkarani. The Sthala Viruksham here is Bamboo Tree beneath which Naga Devathas are found. The Temple follows the Saivaite tradition. Maha Shivarathiri, Pradhosham and Sankadahara Chathurthi had performed in a grand manner. Aarudhra Dharisanam during the Tamil month of Margazhi draws huge Devotees from far and near.

Contact Details: Surya Gurukkal 97871 88802 and 93456 60711

Temple Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Viluppuram or Villupuram to Thiruvennainallur is 18 Kms

Distance from Cuddalore to Thiruvennainallur is 55 Kms

Distance from Chidambaram to Thiruvennainallur is 96 Kms

Distance from Sirkali to Thiruvennainallur is 118 Kms

Distance from Neyveli to Thiruvennainallur is 70 Kms

Distance from Panruti to Thiruvennainallur is 30 Kms

Distance from Perambalur to Thiruvennainallur is 101 Kms

Distance from Valikandapuram to Thiruvennainallur is 90 Kms

Distance from Kallakurichi to Thiruvennainallur is 69 Kms

Distance from Thirukovilur to Thiruvennainallur is 25 Kms