Vyaghrapureeswarar, Veeraperumal Nallur, Cuddalore

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Vyaghrapureeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Tripurasundari
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:
Vriksham:	Vanni	Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	to & to	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Veeraperumal Nallur	District:	Cuddalore
Maps from (click):	Current location	Viluppuram (24 km)	Cuddalore (42 km)
	Tiruvannamalai (82 km)	Mayiladuthurai (97 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

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

The name of the village where this temple is located – Veera Perumal Nallur – is a shortening of the name of the presiding deity of the nearby Veera Raghava Perumal temple. According to another story, the village is named for the Pandya King Veeraperumal, who ruled over this region in the 14^th century.

Despite its location, size, (lack of) prominence, and an aged priest who performs puja once a day, this temple is maintained rather well.

Sage Vyaghrapada is said to have visited several Siva temples, and this is among the many where he worshipped Siva, and was blessed by Him. Hence, the Lord has the name Vyaghrapureeswarar.

While the core temple could be much older, based on the architecture here, the structural temple can be dated to at least the 14^th century, if not earlier, which would represent the time of the late Pandyas.

While the temple itself is east-facing, the main entrance today is through south-facing, through a mottai gopuram.

Tripurasundari Amman here has a separate, south-facing shrine. In addition, there is a shrine for the sapta matrikas, in the outer prakaram. Though some of the murtis are more recent, the older ones are evident due to their intricate architectural workmanship. In particular, one should not miss the miniature Bhikshatanar, sculpted on the wall of the koshta Vinayakar. Even the Nandi mandapam is carefully constructed, in what appears to be a sort of gajaprishtha vimanam. The seated Chandikeswarar, with hands on his lap, is also not to be missed.