History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India
Sattainathar temple also well known as Brahmapureeswarar temple or Thoniappar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in town Sirkazhi of Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. There are 22 water bodies associated with this temple. In temple campus three from of Lord Shiva is worshipped. The Shiva lingam (Brahmapureeswarar) at the lower level, image of Uma Maheswarar (Thoniappar) at the medium level and the Bhairavar (Sattainathar) at the upper level. This is the 68th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 14th Sthalam on the north side of the sacred river Cauvery in land of Tamil Nadu.
It is said that temple was constructed more than 1000 years back. The temple has a vast Prakarams – courtyards with high walls of enclosure along with two sets of seven-tiered gopurams on the outer walls of the enclosure which are believed to date back to 10th to 11th century. The original shrine included the shrine of Bhrammapureeswarar, sacred temple tank, the Tonniappar shrine and the Sattanathar shrine in the second floor, which were during the period of the Nayanmars. The expansion of the original temple happened during the period of Kulothunga Chola I, Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II and Kulothunga Chola III. The image of Parvathi in the form of Sthira Sundari is located in the basement in a separate shrine.
This temple is associated with young Saiva poet and saint Tirugana Sambandar – one of the most prominent of sixty three Nayanars who lived between 7 to 10 century in Tamil Nadu. Sampanth was born to Sivapaada Hrudayar and his wife Bhagvathiar who lived in Sirkazhi. As per the legend, Lord Shiva and Parvati appeared in front of child where brahman family took their child in Shiva temple. It is said that the father left the baby boy on the bank of the river and went for a bath. The child was crying due to hunger so goddess Parvati by seeing him crying fed the baby boy with her milk but with wisdom too blended in the milk. Shivapad Hrudayar the father of the baby boy was angry by seeing that someone had fed his boy but then boy showed upwards the divine parents who fed him with sacred song Taduday saviyan – the first verse of Tevaram. The father was amazed by seeing the parents who fed his child. The little child first hymn “Thodudaya Sevian” was born here to enrich the spiritual literature of Tamil. It is said that this boy had learnt all Vedas at age of just seven with excellent clarity. Tirugana Sambandar the great sage was also mentioned by great sage Shri Adi Sankaracharya as god gifted Tamil Child.
Devotees comes here to pray Lord Shiva to bless them with a child and give them health, wealth and prosperity. The devotees offers here vastra to the Lord and the mother Parvati. There are weekly rituals like Somavaram and Sukravaram, fortnightly rituals like Pradosham and monthly festivals like Amavasai and Poonam is being performed here. Brahmmotsav festival is celebrated here with great devotion towards Lord Shiva in month of April – May.
How to reach Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu, India
As Sirkazhi is major pilgrimage centre of South India and home to Sattainathar Temple and other sacred temple, it is very connected with all major cities of Tamil Nadu and India via Road, Air and Rail network. Sirkazhi is just 25 km from Chidambaram, 88 km from Pondicherry, 190 km from Trichy, 254 from Chennai, 100 km from Thanjavur, 105 km from Villupuram, 350 km from Tirupati, 321 km from Madurai, and 405 km Bangalore. Sirkazhi has railway station which is connected with all major cities of South India. Nearest airport from Sirkazhi are in Pondicherry and Tiruchirappalli.
