Pataleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Pataleeswarar Temple (பாடலீஸ்வரர் கோயில்)[1] is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva in the town of Thirupathiripuliyur, Cuddalore. It was constructed during the Pallava and Medieval Chola periods.

Padaleeswarar Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DeityPadaleeswarar (Shiva) and Periya Nayagi (Parvati)
Location
Locationcuddalore
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Architecture
TypeSouth Indian Architecture
CreatorPallavas, Cholas
Completed2000 years ago (Approx)

The Saivite saint Appar is believed to have adopted Saivism at this temple. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. There is a belief/myth that by worshiping this God a single time is equal to 16 times worshiping the Shiva in Kasi, eight times in Thiruvannamalai, and three times in Chidambaram.

Thirupathiripuliyur in Cuddalore is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. It is named after the Pathiri Tree and the Puliyur, a tiger-legged saint who obtained absolution in the area. The temple has a large temple car called Theeruvadaichan, a silver chariot and a golden chariot.

This is one of the Nava Puliyur Temples worshipped by Patanjali and Vyaghrapada.[2][3] The following temples are called as Nava Puliyur Temples.

Architecture

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 Theekku (teak) all fall in the category. The temples constructed in wood made from Gnazhar trees are also classified as Gnzhar Koil. Literary evidence is found in the works of Tirugnanasambandar, who refers the temple as Gnazhar Koil.[4]

Location

The temple is located in Thirupathiripuliyur in Cuddalore town. The temple is 0.5 km from Thirupathiripuliyur Railway Station. Padaleeswarar Temple is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple plays a unique role in the history of Hindu religion, art, and architecture.

Religious significance

Appar's sister Thilakavathiyar was living in Thiruvathigai during her later years and devoted her lifetime service to Shiva. Afflicted by a painful illness, Thirunavukkarasar, who was originally called Dharmasenar and was then a staunch follower of Jainism, prayed for relief at this temple where his sister Thilagavathiyar served. By the divine grace of Shiva, he was cured. He embraced Saivism from then and started canonizing various temples with his verses.[5] The ruling Pallava king namely Kadava punished Thirunavukarasar in various ways and finally dropped him in a lime kiln. He was subsequently cast on the waters of sea, where he started floating and was pushed ashore in Thirupathipuliyur. It is believed that some of his best songs were sung at this time in praise of the presiding deities at Padaleeswarar temple and Veerateneeswarar temple. Influenced by the greatness of the poet, the king himself converted from Jainism[6] to Saivism.

References
  1. ta:திருப்பாதிரிப்புலியூர் பாடலேசுவரர் கோயில்
  2. மருத்துவர் கைலாசம் சுப்ரமணியம், நவ புலியூர் திருத்தல தரிசனம்!, தினமணி, 22 நவம்பர் 2019
  3. தில்லை பெருமானால் உபதேசிக்கப்பட்ட நவபுலியூர் தரிசனம், மோட்ச யாத்திரை, சித்தர் பூமி
  4. Reddy, G.Venkatramana (2010). Alayam - The Hindu temple - An epitome of Hindu Culture. Mylapore, Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-7823-542-4.
  5. V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 44.
  6. Appar : a sketch of his life and teachings. Natesan & Co. 1918. pp. 18–20. JSTOR saoa.crl.25894664.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Padaleeswarar temple.
  • Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu. Sura Books. 2010. p. 52. ISBN 978-81-7478-177-2.
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