This Temple is also called as Sri Sishta Gurunatheswarar Temple and Thiruthuraiyur is also locally known as Thiruthallur. This is a West faing Temple but there is no Rajagopuram. Instead there is a small Welcome Gopuram with a few Divine Idols fixed at its top. It is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam and the 15th Siva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. The Temple is located on the Southern Bank of River Pennar or Melattaru. There is a Dwajasthambam and a Bali Peedam facing the Moolasthanam. The Presiding Deity is considered to be a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam and known as Sri Shista Gurunatha Eswarar. He is also known as Thava Neri Aaludaiyar or Sri Pasupatheeswarar. It is believed that Saint Sundarar had first visited Thiruvennainallur and then came to this Temple to sing Hymns about Him. At that time Saint Sundarar managed to cross to River Pennai which was on spate then. He had used a small reef boat to wade through the waging waters of River Pennai. Goddess Parvati who is the Consort of the Moolavar is known as Sivaloga Nayagi or Poongothai Nayagi. She has Her own Shrine facing the North. Lord Vinayaga is seen in a East facing Sub Shrine whereas Lord Murugan is found in a South facing Shrine. Since the four important Deities face four different directions this Temple is considered to be very unique and the only one of its kind to have been built in this manner. There are Sub Shrines for Natarajar, Bala Murugan, Narthana Ganapathy, Rama Lingam, Beema Lingam, Adhi Kesava Bakthavatsala Perumal, Dhakshinamoorthy, Annamalaiyar, Durgai, Chandikeshwarar, Naalvar, Surya Lingam, Suryan and Kaala Bhairavar. Like most other Shiva Temples there is a Navagraha Sannadhi too. Another Shiva Lingam known as Agasthiya Lingam is found in close proximity to the Sthala Viruksham and it is considered that Sage Agasthiyar had prayed here during one of his visits. Lots of Devotees come here during Chittirai (April / May) since it is considered that the Sun God falls on the Shiva Lingam in the evening times of these days. Thiruthallar or Thiruthuraiyur gains prominence since it happens to be the birth place of Saint Arunandhi Sivachariyar who is popularly known as Sakalaamaga Pandithar. Guru has an important place of the Temple and hence Poojas are performed on all Thursdays to Lord Shiva and Dhakshinamoorthy. Many Devotees who are childless visit this Temple and get Blessed with a kid very soon. The Sthala Viruksham is a Kondrai Tree and the Sacred Tank or Pushkarani is known as Surya Theertham and Chandra Theertham. Opposite to the Temple there is a combined Arasa Maram and Neem Tree beneath which an Idol of Naagar and Vinayagar are kept on a Podium and prayed. Devotees coming to this Temple make it a habit to visit the Ashtabuja Kaali Amman Temple located very closeby since She too is considered to be omnipotent. Vinayagar Chathurthi, Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri, Maha Shivarathiri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. This Temple is considered as a Puthira Bakkiya Parihaara Sthalam.

Contact Details: A.Duraisamy Gurukkal 94430 46376 and 04142 248498.

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 5 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Panruti to Thiruthuraiyur is 11 Kms

Distance from Viluppuram to Thiruthuraiyur is 22 Kms

Distance from Vikravandi to Thiruthuraiyur is 29 Kms

Distance from Pondicherry to Thiruthuraiyur is 45 Kms

Distance from Neyveli to Thiruthuraiyur is 39 Kms

Distance from Ulundurpet to Thiruthuraiyur is 42 Kms

Distance from Thirukovilur to Thiruthuraiyur is 49 Kms

Distance from Thiruvannamalai to Thiruthuraiyur is 86 Kms

Distance from Tindivanam to Thiruthuraiyur is 54 Kms

Distance from Maduranthagam to Thiruthuraiyur is 96 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Thiruthuraiyur is 182 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Panruti R.S.

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