History of the place

Three demons namely Tharakakshan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali got powerful boons of no death to them through their penance on Lord Brahma . Soon, they began to harass the Devas and others. The Devas appealed to Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva made earth His Rath, Sun and Moon as the wheels, Four Vedas as horses and Brahmma as the charioteer and the Devas- His army. He made a bow of the Meru mount, Vasuki the serpent the chord, Vishnu the bow with Agni (fire) at the sharp point and mounted on the Rath. Suddenly, the axis of the Rath broke. Immediately, prayers were offered to Lord Vinayaka for the remedy. Lord continued his march. Devas were proud of their ability and thought that Lord would win the war only with their help. To cut off their pride, Shiva simply laughed at the demons which reduced them into ashes from the fire ball from His laughter and with no weapons. Devas bowed down their heads in shame. Thus the arrogance of both the demons and the Devas were destroyed simultaneously by the Lord. The Lord pardoned the two demons and made them His security guards (dwarapalakas). The thrid one became player of his Kudamuzha instrument. This is the story celebrated as Thiripura Samharam.

Saints who worshiped

Thiru Ganansambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manika Vasagar. Arunagirinadar has praised Lord Muruga in his Thirupugazh hymns. This temple is the 218th temple among the 274 Devara Sthalams.

Speciality of this temple

The Lord Shiva is a Swayambu Murthi with 16 stripes on. The sanctum sanctorum and the Mandap are in Rath shape. It is here that the Lord destroyed the three great evils of human mind - arrogance, fate and illusion. Thevaram hymns were uttered first here. All Shivagama puja codes were formulated from this temple. Car festival and design of cars were drafted from this place. This temple is adored in great number of Thevaram hymns. Marul Neekiar (Appar) embraced Jainism and became their Guru. His sister Thilagavathy, a staunch devotee prayed to the Lord to bring her brother back to Saivism. The Lord caused severe stomach pain to Appar. He was then taken to Veerattaneswarar shrine, and was put sacred ash on his forehead. As soon as he consumed the sacred ash, his deadly stomach pain instantly cured. Appar spontaneously sang his first hymn. And the Lord honoured Appar with the title Thiru Navukku Arasar - Thirunavukkarasar (meaning the master of his words)

Pariharam

The devotees gets total peace of mind. Also stomach related pains and ulcers are cured by praying this Lord.

Pariharam Procedure

Nilamalai (garland for the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum) and do traditional offerings such as Mangal Sutra to Mother, performing Trishadi or Shasranama archana and vastras to the Lord and Mother are done.