Padaleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Pataleeswarar Temple 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.

There is a belief/myth that by worshiping this God single time is equal to 16 times worshiping the Shiva in Kasi, 8 times in Thiruvannamalai and 3 times in Chidambaram.

Once,  Lord Shiva and Parvathi were playing the game of dice. Though Parvathi won every time, the LORD could not accept it.  The Lordess said that she will cover the eyes of Shiva and to check if he really can win. . Thus saying she covered the eyes of the Shiva. The whole world plunged into darkness. A few seconds in this situation, seemed infinite time for Gods. Gods felt this darkness as  a long duration of inactiveness.

Parvathi on  realising that she has committed a mistake,  prayed for forgiveness. Lord Shiva advised the Lordess to go to earth and pray in all the 1008 shiva sthalas and in whichever sthala the left eye & shoulder vibrates, there the penance should be performed by her. Accordingly, in the course of sthala yatra of  Parvathi, when she came to pray in this sthala (Thirupadhiripuliyur Padaleeswarar temple) the diving occasion of vibration of left eye and left shoulder happened. Lordess  also penanced in the Aruba(formless) form (Arunthava nayagi) and married Lord Shiva.

The name "Thirupadirupuliyur" has been  derived from the holy tree of the temple - Padiri.

During the period of “King Mahendravarman” (600-630) “Thiru Navukkarasar” (Appar) was tied to a stone and thrown into ocean. “Appar” praised “Lord Shiva” and composed hymns on him. “Lord Shiva” was pleased with his prayers and the stone started floating like a boat and “Appar” reached the shore safely. Even now the place, where he landed on shore known as “Karayeravitta Kuppam” is there as witness.

Son of “Madiyanta Muni” worshipped “Lord Shiva” IN this place. He requested “Lord Shiva” to bless him legs and hands like tiger, to climb the Padiri tree. There after he was known as “Pulikkaal Munivar”. 

“Gnana Sambandhar” addressed “Thiru Navukkarasar” as “Appar” for first time in this place. Saint Arunagiri Nadhar worshipped and sang “Thirupugazh” on Subramanya in this place. ‘Thiru Gana Sambandhar” and “Thiru Navukkarasar” sang hymns on “Lord Padaleeswarar.” 

Festivals 

Chithirai

Special Abhishegam to presiding Deities will be done during Tamil New Year. Vasantotsavam is a 10 days festival will commence from sukkilapaksha shasti to chitrapournami & Appar Urchavam 

Vaikasi

The annual Brahmotsavam for 13 days will be conducted according to sastras and Agamas & Panchamurthis are taken around the Rajaveedhi twice every day. Each procession will be on different vahanam & adhikarananthi festival will be on 5 th day morning. 5 th day night will Magha meru Theruvadaichan.
6th day will be silvar Rathotsavam Silver Indira Vimanam. 7 th day Morning will be kailasa vahanam Gopura Dharsanam. 7 th day night will be Thirukalyana urchvam silver rishapa Vahanm parivettai Golden kailasa vahanam. 8 th day will be flower pallakku. 9 th day will be car festival. 10 th day will be float festival. 11 th day will be sivaharthirthamtheerthavari festival.

Ani

Natarajar Ani Thirumanjanam

Adi

Adi pooram urchavam will be conducted for 10 days ending on pooram day, Morning Ambal    Valaikappu urchav azam will be performed. It attracts a huge crowd of women    and female children. Adi friday Kuthuvilakku pooja will be performed.  Adi Swathi Arulalar sundaramurthy Swamigal Urchavam will be conducted

Pooja Timings 

1. Morning 6-00 Thiruvananthal

2. Morning 8-30 Kala santhi

3. Morning 11-30 uchi kalam

4. Evening 5-30 sayaratchai

5. Night 7-00 second kalam

6. Night 8-30 Arthayamam