Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Dharmapureeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Swarnambal
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Thalichathangudi
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	8 to 10 & 5 to 7	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Vaippu Sthalam	–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Vadakandam	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Thiruvarur (6 km)	Kumbakonam (34 km)
	Nagapattinam (36 km)	Mayiladuthurai (40 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

This Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam finds mention in one of Appar’s pathigams, in which the place is called Thalichathangudi. This derives from “Sastha-gudi”, referring to a nearby Sastha temple that seems to have been extremely famous from the time of Appar.

Appar’s pathigam refers to this place as part of Siva’s procession from Tirumeignanam to Tiruvarur. After performing His tandavam at Tirumeignanam, Siva and his entourage passed through Pazhaiyarai on His white bull, taking alms from people in towns along the way, hiding in the forests near Thalayalangadu, staying overnight at Peruvelur (Manakkal Ayyampet), gave darsanam to everyone here (Thalichathangudi), and then, within an instant, reached Tiruvarur!

Other than the above reference, there is no separate sthala puranam to this temple.

The temple itself is rather small, and in addition to the shrines for the moolavar and Amman, there are shrines for Vinayakar, Murugan and His consorts, as well as Chandikeswarar.

The temple is clearly from the Chola period, despite the stone structure having been fully painted over. The maha-mandapam has a vavvaal-nethi mandapam, and the arches on the side are reminiscent of many old Chola temples. The vimanam above the garbhagriham is intricate and beautifully done as well.

This is a small temple right on the Kumbakonam-Tiruvarur highway, and has no raja gopuram. When we visited here, it was late evening, and the power had gone off, which explains the quality of photographs as well.

Other information for your visit

On a 4km stretch of road between Kumbakonam and Tiruvarur where this temple is located, there are several large and small temples. Of these, 7 important temples (primarily Paadal Petra Sthalams, Divya Desams or Vaippu Sthalams) are:

Bhaktavatsala Perumal, Tirukannamangai, Tiruvarur

Dharmapureeswarar, Vadakandam, Tiruvarur

Brahmapureeswarar, Karaveeram, Tiruvarur

Agasteeswarar, Manakkal Ayyampet, Tiruvarur

Seshapureeswarar, Raa Patteeswaram, Tiruvarur

Vaikunta Narayana Perumal, Deepapuram, Tiruvarur

Abhimukteeswarar, Manakkal Ayyampet, Tiruvarur

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