Sirkazhi, located 10 km off the shore of the Bay of Bengal in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, is a renowned religious site for many Hindu pilgrims. Sirkazhi is a peaceful South Indian town, which has a historic past, and is now a modern-day, developing site focusing on its tourism and economy while upholding the beliefs and rituals of a traditional South Indian village.
The best season or months to visit places in Sirkazhi are February, March, October, November, December. The Main temple to be visited is the Brahmmapureeshwarar or Sattanadhaswamy or Thoniappar Temple. Apart from this temple, the Oosai Nayaki Amman Udanurai Thalapuriswarar Temple and the Thadalan Tiruvikrama Perumal Temple are also worth seeing.
BRAHMMAPUREESHWARAR OR SATTAINATHAR OR THONIAPPAR TEMPLE:
The Brahmapureeswarar Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Thirunilainayaki. This temple complex has 3 different shrines to Shiva, with the main Brahmapureeswarar Shrine in the lower level. The second level has idols of Periyanakar with Periyanayaki on a Thoni, due to which the shrine is named as Thoniappar. The other form of Lord Shiva is known as Sattainathar as He is considered as the Supreme Head of All the Laws (Sattam). This temple is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam.
As per the legend, it is believed that there was once a great deluge that submerged the entire earth. During this incident, Lord Shiva is believed to have carried all the 64 arts (Aaya Kalaikal) with him on a raft (“Thoni” in Tamil) and reached this shrine where he stayed with Goddess Parvathy. Hence this place gets the name, “Thonipuram” and the lord is praised as “Sri Thoniappar”. Lord Bhairavar (Sattainathar), who is believed to have quelled the arrogance of Lord Thrivikrama (Ulgalantha Perumal) after his show of dominance over the three worlds (the emperor Mahabali’s destruction), is worshiped here in this temple. A special pooja is conducted in this temple for Sri Sattainathar on every Friday that continues till midnight. It is considered very auspicious to worship the lord at this time.
Lord Brahma became vain thinking that he was the greatest among the three lords. To teach him a lesson, Lord Shiva made him forget the “Pranava Mantra”. Realizing his folly, Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva here and got his memory restored. Since Lord Brahma is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, the lord is also praised as “Sri Bhramapureeswarar”.
Temple Timings (Opening and Closing):
Morning – 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Evening- 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Temple Pooja Details:
Poojas are conducted 6 Times a Day.
| Ushathkalam | 5:30 AM |
| Kalasanthi | 8:00 AM |
| Uchikalam | 10:00 AM |
| Sayarakshai | 6:00 PM |
| Irandam Kalam | 8:00 PM |
| Ardhajaman | 10:00 PM |
Each of these rituals comprise four steps: Abhishekam (sacred Bath), Alankaram (Decoration), Neivethanam (Food Offering) and Deepa Aradhanai (Waving of Lamp) for all the 3 Shrines of Lord Shiva.
Temple Contact Details:
Ph: no: 04364 270 235
OOSAI NAYAKI AMMAN UDANURAI THALAPURISWARAR OR SAPTHAPUREESHWARAR TEMPLE:
Osai Kodutha Nayaki Temple (or) Thalapureeswarar Temple (or) Osai Nayaki Temple (or) Sapthapureeswarar temple has located at Thirukolakka village of Sirkazhi taluk, Nagapattinam district. This temple has situated 1km from Sirkazhi. This temple has belongs to 7th century. This temple is the one of the Devaram Padal Petra Sthalam. The main God of the temple is Lord Shiva has known as Thalapureeswarar and Goddess has known as Oosai kodutha Nayaki.
The child Sage, Thirugnana Sambandhar walked with his father and reached this temple. He was clapping his hands and he was singing the songs in the praise of Lord Shiva. On seeing this, the Lord gave him a pair of Golden Jaalra (Cymbals). But it was not producing much sound. Therefore, Goddess gave the sound to that Jalra and so the Goddess is known as Oosai kudutha Nayaki (The Goddess who gave the Sound).
Temple Timings (Opening and Closing):
Morning: 7.30 AM to 11.00 AM
Evening : 4.30 PM to 8.00 PM
Temple Festival and Pooja Details:
Chithirai Tiruvadhirai festival in April-May is celebrated in Sirkali Sattainathar temple with the milk utsav on the second day. After this event, Saint Gnanasambandar comes to this temple, when Lord Shiva gives the golden plate to the saint. The saint returns to the first temple in a flower decorated palanquin. Theerthavari is celebrated on all Karthikai Sundays in November-December.
Even now, there is a belief that children who cannot speak well, or who are speech impaired will speak and chat well after being blessed by Lord Siva and the Goddess here. So, a special Pooja will be conducted here in this temple on Sunday evenings on requisition for those children who could not speak well.
Temple Contact Details:
Ph No: 04364 – 274 175
SRI THIRUVIKRAMA PERUMAL TEMPLE OR THANDALAM TEMPLE:
Sri Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple, also known as Thadalan Kovil is situated in Sirkazhi, Nagapatinam district of Tamilnadu. Sri Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam Temples, which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and also named as ‘Thiru Kazheesirama Vinnagaram’ The legend says that Lord Brahma, the god of creation was so proud and arrogant about His endless life span. The sage Romesa wanted to break the arrogance of Lord Brahma. As a result, the sage Romesa performed penance towards Lord Vishnu to get the blessings of Lord Vishnu in the form of Thirivikrama (a form of Lord Vishnu with one of His foot up). Lord Vishnu blessed the sage and told the sage that the life span of Lord Brahma would be reduced by a year when each hair fall from the body of sage Romesa. By knowing this, Lord Brahma understood His flaws and worshipped Lord Vishnu and got the Dharshan of Lord Vishnu in Thirivikrama form.
The main deity of this Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple is Lord Thiruvikrama Narayana Perumal (Lord Vishnu), with His left leg above His head, facing the east direction. The other deities of this temple are Goddess Lokanayaki, consort of Lord Tirivikrama Narayana Perumal, Lord Thadalan (the festival deity or the Utsava Moorthy), Goddess Mattavizhum Kuzhali, consort of Lord Thadalan, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Andal, Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.
The main deity in this Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple is also called as ‘Lord Kazheesirama’, and ‘Thavitu Paana Thadalan’, the King of World.
Temple Timings (Opening and Closing):
Morning 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Evening 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Temple Pooja Details:
| Ushathkalam | 8 AM |
| Kalasanthi Pooja | 10:00 AM |
| Sayarakshai | 5:00 PM |
| Ardhajaman | 7:00 PM |
Temple Contact Details:
Ph. No: 04364 – 270 207
Mobile: 94424 – 19989
How to Reach Sirkazhi:
By Air:
Pondicherry Airport – 67 kms away from Sirkazhi
Tiruchirappalli International Airport – 122.61kms distance from Sirkazhi
By Rail:
You can easily get regular trains to Sirkazhi Railway station (SY) from other major cities of the country.
By Road:
There are regular buses from other major cities of the country to Sirkazhi Bus Stand.
