God
The main deity of this temple is Sakthivanesvara, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva faces East direction and He is swayambhu along with Periya Nayaki.
Goddess
Goddess Periya Nayaki is consort of Sakthivanesvara.
Interesting Facts
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 22nd Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Tamilnadu (Thenkarai).
Best Season To Visit
- For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
- For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
- These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
- Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.
Weather
Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 25°C during night)Average - May (36°C during the day and 20°C during night)Lowest - December to February (28°C during day and 19°C during night)Monsoon season – July to September
Dress Code
- For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
- For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
- These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
- Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.
Do's & Dont's
- Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
- Smo​king is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.
transport connections
| Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
 Darasuram Bus Stand |
4 KM | 1800-419-4287 |
 Swamimalai Railway Station |
3.3 KM | 139 |
 Tiruchirappalli International Airport |
97 KM | 07373774163 |
Architecture
Origin of the Name - Goddess Parvathi made penance towards the Lord from here. The Lord decided to test her and delayed his Dharshan. Goddess came to know this and stood in one leg and started her penance. Though he got satisfied but extended his test. At last he came to this place in the form of big flame (Jyothiswarubam). Upon knowing this, Lord Parvathi embraced him. Hence the Lord is called as Sivakkozhundeeswarar .
The temple faces East direction and built in Chola style of architecture. It has 5-tiered Raja gopuram. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (Akazhi in Tamil). This temple has two prakarams and Vasantha mandapam. Inscriptions from the period of Raja Raja Chola-II (1166-1182 C.E.), Kulottunga Chola-III, and the Vijayanagar Emperors are found here. There are some stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Chola kings Kulothungan, Rajathirajan and Kulothungan-III. There are also some inscriptions from the times of the later Vijayanagar kings. This temple was renovated and built using granite. There is a koneru named as Soola/Suriya pushkarani.
Religious Significance
Legend 1 - It is believed that Goddess Parvathi was interested in establishing the power of “bhakti” (devotion). She wanted to proof that bhakti alone is the right way to attain salvation. Lord Shiva advised her to come to this place (Shakthi Mutham) and perform penance here. Goddess Parvathi came to the Surya pushkarini / Soola theertham on the Southern side of the river Cauvery. She performed rigorous penance here by standing on one leg. Lord Shiva wanted to test the extent of her devotion and thus he delayed his darshan. However, this did not deter her from her resolve. Lord Shiva finally appeared before her in the form of a huge column of fire (“Jyothiswaroopam”). Knowing that this Jyothiswaroopam was nothing but the lord himself, she embraced him and kissed him. Hence the Lord here is praised as “Sri Sivakkozhuntheeswarar” and the place gets the name “Sakthi Mutham” (“Sakthi” means Goddess Parvathy and “Mutham” means kiss in Tamil). The Shivalingam here has the traces of Agni (“Theechudar”) in it.
Legend 2 - Another legend is that while Goddess Parvathy was performing her penance here, Lord Shiva caused heavy floods in the river Cauvery. The Shivalingam that Goddess Parvathi had created was about to be destroyed by the flood. She immediately embraced it and protected it from the water. Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed her and took her back to Mount Kailash. Hence the Lord here is also praised as “Sri Thazhuvakkuzhaintha Nathar”.
Legend 3 - Another legend associated with this place is that of Saint Thirunavakkarasar (Appar). He prayed to Lord Shiva that he be blessed with the “Thiruvadi Deeksha”. Thiruvadi deeksha means that the Lord’s feet be placed on the devotee’s head. It is believed that Lord Shiva asked him to go to the nearby Nallur temple to receive this deeksha from him.
Legend 4 - Another legend associated with this temple is that of Saint Thirugnanasambhanthar. After offering his prayers in this temple, it is believed that the Saint wanted to go to the nearby Patteswaram Temple. It was a peak summer day and in order to protect him from the oppressive heat, Lord Shiva created a tent lined with pearls (“Muthu panthal”) and sent it through his attendants (“Bhootha ganas”).
History
The temple was built in 1000 C.E. by Raja Raja Chola-I. Lord Shiva asked Saint Appar to come to Thirunalloor to get Thiruvadi theekshai. Thiruganasambhandar went to Patteechuram under the Muthu Pandal from this temple.
Temple Timings
| Day | Timings | |
|---|---|---|
| All Days | 05:00 AM - 12:30 PM | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
Pooja
Tours
Airports
| Airport Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Shamshabad | 40 KM |
| Lorem Ipsum | 12 KM |
Railway Stations
| Railway Station Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Secunderabad | 10 KM |
| Nampally | 12 KM |
| Begumpet | 6 KM |
| Lingampally | 20 KM |
Bus Stations
| Bus Station Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| MGBS | 35 KM |
| CBS | 28 KM |
| kukatpally | 20 KM |
| Lingampally | 30 KM |
| Uppal | 35 KM |
Private Transports
| Transport Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Private Transport | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
Local Transports
| Transport Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transport | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
Nearest Temples
SRI AIRAVATEESWARA TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
Third in the series of the Great Living Chola temples
SRI SARANGAPANI TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
One of 108 Divya Desam temples of Lord Vishnu
SRI TIRUNARAYUR NAMBI TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
One of 108 Divysdesam Temples of Lord Vishnu
SRI SARABESWARAR - KAMPAHESWARAR TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
Lord is seen as collective of Shiva, Vishnu, Pratyangaradevi and Durga
SRI NAGANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Krosha Sthalams
SRI PRANANATHESWARAR TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
One of the 276 Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams
SRI SURIYANAR TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
Grabha Gudi is a chariot with carved figures of horses on roof
SRI AGNEESHWARAR TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
This shrine is considered to be the 36th in the series of the Tevara Stalams
SRI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
This city is the final resting place of Raja Raja Chola-I
SRI BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
Most important Sapta Vitanka Sthalam and paadal Petra Sthalam
Nearest Attractions
Museum
THANJAVUR ROYAL PALACE MUSEUM
Wishlist
Map
One of the ancient museums which holds ancient items
Dam
KALLANAI DAM
Wishlist
Map
Oldest functional water regulator structure in the country
Fort
MANORA FORT
Wishlist
Map
Located in lush greenery surrounded by swaying coconut palms
User Reviews
Map
