Country India Primary deity Veerateswarar(Shiva) Architectural style Dravidian architecture | State Tamil Nadu District Cuddalore district | |
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Proper name Sri Veerattaaneswarar Temple Tamil அருள்மிகு வீரட்டான்டேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில் Location Panruti, Tamil Nadu, India Similar Pataleeswarar Temple - Cuddalore, Vedapureeswarar temple - Thiruverkadu, Veezhinathar Kovil - Thiruveezhimizhalai, Vedaranyeswarar temple, Kurungaleeswarar Temple | ||
The Thiruvathigai 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.
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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.
Location
The temple is located at South Arcot district 2 km from Panruti.