SATTAINATHERTEMPLE- SIRIKAZHI- MAYILADUTHURAI DISTRICT- TAMILNADU-COMPILED
Dear friends, The Sattainathar Temple,also known as Brahmapureesar Temple or Thoniappar Temple, is a significant Shiva templelocated in Sirkazhi, in the Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. It is one ofthe 276 Paadal Petra Stalams, meaning it's a revered temple praised inThevaram, a collection of hymns. The temple is notable for its unique three-story structure, each levelhousing a different form of Lord Shiva. Today my posting is about this temple. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 21-08-2025 Key Features: Three Shiva Shrines: The temple features three distinct Shivashrines across its three levels: Brahmapureesar (Shiva lingam), Uma Maheswarar(Toniappar), and Sattainathar (Bhairavar). Sattainathar (Bhairavar):The shrine of Sattainathar, a formof Bhairavar, is located on the top level of the temple. Historical Significance:The temple is believed to be over1000 years old and is mentioned in ancient Tamil texts and hymns, according toThe Clarks Hotels & Resorts. Birth place of Thirugnana Sambandar: It is the birthplace ofThirugnana Sambandar, a prominent Saivite saint, who is said to have beenblessed by Lord Shiva at this very temple, according to The Clarks Hotels &Resorts. Paadal Petra Sthalam: The temple is one of the 276 reveredtemples praised in Thevaram, a collection of hymns. Temple Structure: The temple complex is large andwell-maintained, with impressive gopurams (tower gateways). Unique Layout: The three-story structure and the location ofSattainathar on the top level make it unique. Opening Hours: The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM andfrom 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Special Pujas: Special pujas are held every Friday untilmidnight, particularly for Bhairava worship Introduction Sattainathar temple, Sirkazhi (also called Brahmapureeswarartemple and Thoniappar temple) is dedicated to Shiva located in Sirkali, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple isincarnated by the hymns of Thevaram and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.It is an ancient temple complex with three different Shiva shrines in threestories. The Bhramapureeswarar shrine is housed in the lower level.Brahmapureeswarar is accompanied by Ambal Sthira sundari/Thiripurasundari orThirunilainayaki in Tamil. The second-level houses Periyanakar with Periyanayaki on aThoni, hence the name Thoniappar. Sattainathar/ Vatukanathar is also housedhere. There are 22 water bodiesassociated with this shrine. The temple is associated with the legend of child Sambandar who is believed tohave been fed by Parvathi on the banks of the temple tank. The childlater went on to compose Tevaram, a Saiva canonic literature on Shiva andbecame one of the most revered Saiva poets in South India. Etymology and origin In ancient times, this town had twelve different names,including Brahmapuram, Thonipuram, Kazhumalam, Sirkazhiswaram and Shri Kali. As per popularbelief, Kali is believed to have worshipped the presiding deity,Brahmapureeswarar, and thus the place came to be known as Srikalipuram, whichwent on to become Shiyali Sambandar refers the town as "Kazhi" in hisverses. It was called Shiyali during British rule, and after Independence, itwas renamed "Sirkazhi". According to Tamil legend, during one of the biggest deluges that submerged the planetearth, Tamil god Shiva is said to have carried the 64 arts on a raft (calledThoni in Tamil). The presiding deity in the temple, Shiva, is thuscalled "Thoniappar"(the one who carried the raft) and the region is called "Thonipuram". The Hindu god Brahma is believed to have worshiped Shivahere, giving the name "Bhramapureeswarar"(the one worshipped by Brahma) and so the region is also referred as"Bhramapureeswaram". The town is thus called "Sattainathapuram", whichin modern times, is a suburb within Sirkazhi. The town was known as"Kalumalam" during the early Chola period. The Ashtabhairavas (theeight Bhairava) are housed in the Valampuri mandapa in the temple. The images along with theinscriptions indicate Bhairava worship from the late 16th century. The eightBhairavas in the group include Asitanga, Visalaksa, Marrtanda, Modakapriya,Svachanda, Vignasantusa, Khechera and Sarcaracara. The images are sported withtrident, hand-drum, noose and sword. Legend The Sattainathar Temple in Sirkazhi has a rich history rootedin Tamil legends and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It's also known as theThoniappar Temple, named after Shiva who is said to have carried the 64 arts ona raft (Thoni) during a great deluge. The temple is a significant pilgrimagesite and is associated with the concept of rebirth, with various shrines fordifferent deities. Sattainathar is a form of Shiva, and the temple is a majorpilgrimage site, especially for those seeking spiritual solace. The temple is associated withthe concept of rebirth and is considered a sacred place for devotees. Architecture The temple has a vast Prakarams (courtyards) with high wallsof enclosure. There are two sets of seven-tiered gopurams on the outer walls ofthe enclosure. The porch on the entrance from the second to the first prakaradate back to 10th to 11th century. Earlier the three deities were in differentlocations. The enlargement of the original temple happened during theperiod of Kulothunga Chola I, Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II and KulothungaChola III and all the deities brought to same sanctum in three floors. Theimage of Parvathi in the form of Sthira Sundari is located in the basement in aseparate shrine. The eastern gateway serves as the main entrance, leadingvisitors into the temple’s sacred grounds. Upon crossing the threshold,devotees first encounter the sanctum of Brahmapureeswarar, facing east andsituated near the temple’s holy pond. The temple also houses severalsignificant shrines, each intricately designed, making it a visual andspiritual delight for pilgrims. Deities The Sirkazhi temple is home to several significant sannidhis(shrines): Thoniappar and Periya-Nayaki: Located on an elevated level,this shrine honors Shiva and his consort. Devotees must ascend narrow woodenstairs to reach the sacred sanctum. Sattainathar Shrine: Situated above the Thoniappar sanctum,this shrine represents the union of Shiva and Vishnu. Rituals here includeanointing the deity with civet oil during the Artha-Jaama Pooja, a ceremonyheld late on Friday evenings. Ashta Bhairavar: A shrine dedicated to the eight forms ofBhairava, located near the southern gateway. This sannidhi is open for worshiponly on Friday evenings, from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The Divine Connection: Shiva and Vishnu as Sattainathar The unique form ofSattainathar symbolizes the profound connection between Shiva and Vishnu. Mythology recounts that Shivawielded Vishnu’s bones as a weapon and wore his skin as a sacred garment,embodying the dual reverence of these supreme deities. Witnessing the rituals of Sattainathar, particularly duringthe Friday evening Artha-jaama Pooja, is considered highly auspicious. Devoteesbelieve that this worship brings blessings of divine protection and wisdom. Poojas The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) duringfestivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, thepriests belong to the Shaivaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalamat 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 8:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritualcomprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration),neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for all thethree Shiva shrines. The worship is held amidst music with nagaswaram (pipeinstrument) and tavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in theVedas read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the templemast. There are weekly rituals like somavaram and sukravaram,fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (newmoon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi. Shiva is worshipped in three different forms; the Shivalingam(Bhrammapureeswarar), Uma Maheswarar (Toniappar) at the middle level, andBhairavar (Sattanathar) at the upper level. Festivals Every year in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April – May), a10-day festival is celebrated. The temple is linked to the Navratri festivaland other religious celebrations. To commemorate the divine blessings received by TirugnanaSambandar, Sirkazhi hosts the annual Tiru-Mulai-Paal Urchavam, or the Festivalof the Divine Milk. Celebrated during the Tamil month of Chitirai, this eventoccurs on the second day of the Brahmotsavam, under the auspicious Tiruvathiraistar. Religious importance The temple is mentioned in the Saiva canonical work, Tevaram,by Thirugnana Sambanthar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar, the foremost Saivitesaints of 7th–eighth century CE and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. There is a separateshrine for Sambandar celebrating the miracle of Parvathi suckling the childSambandar when he was crying for milk. Arunagirinathar was a 15th-century Tamil poet born inTiruvannamalai. He spent his early years as a rioter and seducer of women.After ruining his health, he tried to commit suicide by throwing himself fromthe northern tower of Annamalaiyar Temple, but was saved by the grace of godMurugan. He became a staunch devotee and composed Tamil hymns glorifyingMurugan, the most notable being Thirupugazh. Arunagirinathar visited variousMurugan temples and on his way back to Tiruvannamalai, visited the temple and sungpraises about Murugan in the temple. Mayakshethras MayakaKshetras are the places where Lord Brahma was reduced to ashes by Lord Shiva. Five such places are - Kasi(Varanasi) Mayanam, Kacchi (Kanchipuram) Mayanam; Kazhi (Sirkazhi) Mayanam,Nallur (Thirunallur) Mayanam and Kadavur (Thirukadaiyur) Mayanam. Sirkazhi: A ShaktiPeetam and Home to the Goddess The temple is also recognized as one of the 64 ShaktiPeetams, sites that are deeply associated with the divine feminine energy ofthe Goddess. The sanctum of Thiru-Nilai-Nayaki, Shiva’s consort, is adornedwith intricate sculptures depicting the goshta murthas, includingmanifestations of divine energy: Ichcha Shakti (Divine Will) Gyana Shakti (Divine Wisdom) Kriya Shakti (Divine Action) Opposite this shrine lies the sacred Brahma Theertham, a holypond with an ornate archway entrance decorated with sculptures narrating thelife and miracles of Tirugnana Sambandar. Interestingly, Sambandar’s birth, his divine encounter, andhis attainment of liberation (mukti) all align with the Tiruvathirai star,making it a central celestial marker of his life and legacy.. Brahma, Muruga,Kali, Indra, the moon-god Chandra, and the sun-god Surya are all said to haveworshipped at this temple. Sage Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, is alsobelieved to have visited Sirkazhi to pay homage to the deity. Among the Paadal Petra Sthalams of Lord Shiva (sacred sitescelebrated in hymns), Sirkazhi holds the distinction of receiving the highestnumber of hymns, underscoring its spiritual prominence in Shaivism. Tirugnana Sambandar Sambandar was a young Saiva poet-saint of Tamil Nadu wholived around the 7th century CE. He is one of the most prominent of thesixty-three Nayanars, Tamil Saiva bhakti saints who lived between the sixth andthe tenth centuries CE. Sambandar's hymns to Shiva were later collected to formthe first three volumes of the Tirumurai, the religious canon of Tamil SaivaSiddhanta. He was acontemporary of Appar, another Saiva saint. Sambandar was born to Sivapada Hrudiyar and his wifeBhagavathiar who lived in Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu. They were a saivite Brahmins who at that point of timeprofessed Rig veda. The group of servitors wore tuft on top of theirhead with a tilt towards right, as seen in all murals and statues of sambandarand also finds mention in the related hagiographies of that period and also ofthe later periods like that of Arunagirinathar. According to legend, when Sambandar was three years old hisparents took him to the Shiva temple where Shiva and his consort Parvatiappeared before the child. The goddess nursed him at her breast. His father sawdrops of milk on the child's mouth and asked who had fed him, whereupon the boypointed to the sky and responded with the song Todudaya Seviyan - the firstverse of the Tevaram. At his investiture with the sacred thread, at the age ofseven, he is said to have expounded the Vedas with clarity. Sri Shankaracharya who lived in thesubsequent century has also referred to sambandar in one hymn of SoundaryaLahari, praising him as a gifted Tamil child (Tamil sisu) who wasfed with milk of divine gnosis by goddess Uma. Sirkazhi SattainatharTemple Timings Sirkazhi temple is open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM in themorning and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the evening. Administration The temple is maintained by Dharmapuram Adheenam, a Saivitemutt or monastic institution located in the town of Mayiladuthurai, India. Asof 1987, there were a total of 27 Shiva temples under the control of theadheenam. Sirkazhi Shiva TempleAddress and phone number 106 D, Pidari South Street, Thenpathi, Sirkali, Tamil Nadu609110. Sirkali Sattainathar Temple Contact Number: +91-4364-270235,+91-9443053195 How to reach SirkazhiShiva Temple? The Sirkazhi Sattainathar Temple is located in the heart ofSirkazhi, a municipal town situated 260 km from Chennai by road. It is 17 kmfrom Chidambaram and 58 km from Kumbakonam. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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