Thiruchuzhial Temple located in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is the 12th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamil Nadu. The shrine is located in the vicinity of Manamadurai and is regarded as birthplace of Ramana Maharishi. The temple was earlier maintained by the rulers of Ramanathapuram district. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims throughout the year who come here to seek blessings of the Lord.
Legend of Thiruchuzhial Temple
Thiruchuzhial Temple is associated with a legend according to which Lord Surya worshipped the Dinakareswara Lingam. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva meditated on him and proposed him for marriage. Every year during the month of Aadi a festival is organised in memory of the event in the Amman Tapas Utsavam. It is celebrated for 10 days. Sundaramoorthy Nayanar accompanied by the Chera King Cheraman Perumal visited the temple.
Architecture of Thiruchuzhial Temple
Thiruchuzhial Temple is spread over an area of almost 45,000 square feet. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the devotees the temple address him by different names like Bhoominathar and Tirumeni Nathar and the Ambal his consort mother Parvati is known as by Tunaimaalainayaki. The temple houses many shrines and theerthams. These are also located outside the temple complex. The shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ambal faces the eastern side. Apart from these there are shrines of the Pralaya Vitankar and the Palani Andavar within the temple. The Theertham is Kauvaikkadal theertham and the sthala vriksham is Punnai. The central mandapam of the temple along with the Kauvaikkadal tank is magnificent. The poem Thevaram Pathigam was composed here by Sundarar.
Festivals of Thiruchuzhial Temple
Thiruchuzhial Temple celebrates many festivals on a grand scale. The famous festival of Bhrammotsavam is celebrated here during the Tamil month of Panguni. Other than this the Palani Andavar festival and the Amman Tapas festival is celebrated in the months of Thai and Aadi respectively.
Thiruchuzhial Temple is well connected with all modes of transport. It is almost 90 km from Madurai and the nearest town from the temple is Aruppukkottai. It is located almost 15 km away.
