Ananteeswarar, Tiruchinnapuram, Cuddalore

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Ananteeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Soundaryanayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	to & to	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tiruchinnapuram	District:	Cuddalore
Maps from (click):	Current location	Mayiladuthurai (33 km)	Kumbakonam (55 km)
	Cuddalore (65 km)	Ariyalur (69 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

We request you to please read this short background about village temples, before you proceed.

Tiruchinnapuram is located near Kattumannarkoil, in Cuddalore district.

There are several temples in and around Kattumannarkoil and on the banks of the Veeranam lake. Of these, only a handful are referred to either as in the Tevaram or the Divya Prabhandam, or are otherwise regarded as prominent / important. This is one of the lesser-known village temples in the region.

The east-facing temple is for Siva as Ananteeswarar, with Soundaranayaki Amman. The Siva Lingam is a swayambhu murti here.

Upon entering the temple premises, is a large arasa maram tree to the left, below which are some Nagar murtis. The temple does not have a raja gopuram or a dhwajasthambam. However, where the latter should have been, is a kodimara Vinayakar, followed by a bali peetham and Nandi. The corridor to the maha mandapam has recently been covered with an asbestos roofing. Below the kodimara Vinayakar is a small but ornate granite piece, in which is also carved a celestial couple – going by what’s visible, it may be Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Inside the maha mandapam are also separate murtis for Siva as Agasteeswarar, Adi Kesava Perumal with Mahalakshmi, Murugan with Valli and Deivanai, which are on either side of the garbhagriham entrance. In the koshtam are Dakshinamurti, Brahma and Durga. There is also a vilvam – presumably the sthala vriksham – in the prakaram.

While the temple is certainly rather old, there was nobody around who could provide us with a sthala puranam. That said, the name of the moolavar here – Ananteeswarar – suggests that there must be an interesting story here. Based on the iconography and the sculptures, which are of very good workmanship, one might estimate this temple to be from the late Chola period.

Puja takes place only once a day here, by a priest who comes from Kattumannarkoil. However, the temple is open through the day, and at most times, you can see some locals resting and exchanging stories, on the premises.