The Thiruvathigai Temple or Sri Veerattaneswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is situated at Thiruvathigai Village which is about 2 kilometres east from the town of Panruti. Veerattaaneswarar is the presiding deity.
The place and the temple are closely linked with the history of Saint Tirunavukkarasar. Though born to Saivite parents and brought up by his Shiva devotee sister Thilagavathy, Marul Neekiar – that was his baptism name – embraced Jainism and rose to Guruhood there with the name Dharumasenar. His sister, a staunch Shiva devotee, dedicated herself to the service of Lord Shiva by maintaining the temple, prayed to the Lord seeking her brother’s home coming to Saivism.
Lord Shiva caused a severe stomach pain to Appar. None in the Jain camp could cure him. He came to sister Thilagavathy, fell at her feet for relief. The affectionate sister took the brother to Veerattaneswarar shrine, chanted the Panchakshara-five letters-Na Ma Shi Vaa Ya – and put the sacred ash on his forehead. Appar also consumed the ash and was miraculously cured instantly of his deadly stomach pain. Out came spontaneously Appar’s first hymn called Kodhil Neediya Tirupathigam beginning with the line “Kootru Aayinavaru Vilakka hileer”. Pleased with his poetic skill, Lord Shiva honoured Appar with the title Tiru Navukku Arasar-Tirunavukkarasar meaning king of tongues.
Devotees seeking the grace of Lord Veerattaneswarar are relieved from the three basic evils glued with humans – viz. Aanavam-arrogance, Kanma, that which follows birth after birth and illusion. Devotee visiting this temple reaps the benefit of seeing the Lord in His abode Kailash. Saint Arunagiriar had praised Lord Muruga of the temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.
Lord Shiva of this temple is also praised as Sri Samharamurthi (Tirukedilavanar). It is also believed that Lord Ammai Appar is praying Himself in the sanctum sanctorum. Mother is also praised as Sri Tirupurasundari. Lord Vinayaka is worshipped as Siddhi Vinayaka.
Other Sacred springs of the temple are Shoola theertham, the well in the temple, Chakkara Theertham, a tank and River Kedila.
History
The Thiruvathigai Temple was originally built as a Jain temple by the Pallava king Mahendravarman I in the 6th century AD. However, on his conversion from Jainism to Hinduism, Mahendravarman demolished the existing temple and built a temple to Shiva in its place. The temple contains some remaining Jain artifacts.
There is also another Shiva temple and a Vishnu temple nearby believed to have been constructed from the remains of the demolished Jain temple.
King Raja_Raja_Chola_I is believed to have stayed in this temple for a long time to study the architecture before building Brihadeeswarar_Temple.
Legend
According to the legend Thirugnana Sambanthar was glorified by the cosmic dance of Shiva. Appar's sister Thilakavathiyar settled here during her later years and devoted her lifetime service to Shiva. Afflicted by a painful illness, Thirunavukkarasar prayed for relief at this temple where his sister Thilagavathiyar served and was cured. Legend holds that this temple is the place where Shiva destroyed three rakshashas and the three cities created by them. Saranarayana Perumal, another name of Vishnu, is the one who gave the arrow to Shiva for killing the demons. The Saranarayana Perumal temple is also located in Panruti.
Festival
10 day Vasanth Utsav festival during Panguni-Chithirai Tamil months covering English March to May with Lord gracing from the Mandap; Chithirai (April-May) Sadayam star festival on Saint Appar Salvation event; 10 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam in May-June with Panchamurthi procession on silver vahan; 10 day Aadi Pooram; 10 day Manickavasagar utsav in Margazhi, 1 day Margazhi Tiruvadhirai with Theerthavari etc.
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