This temple is especially divine for being one of the 44 shrines where all three saints (Thevaram Moovars) sang their hymns and holds a distinguished position among the 51 Shakti Peetams across the country.
Sri Aadhi Pureeswarar – The Primal Swayambhu Lingam
The presiding deity here is Sri Aadhi Pureeswarar, a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Lingam, believed to be the first ever to appear after the Great Deluge (Pralaya). According to sacred legend, when the world was submerged in cosmic waters, Lord Shiva manifested as a colossal flame under a Makizha tree to part the waters, allowing creation to begin anew. This is the very form enshrined in Tiruvottiyur.
Alongside Him resides the powerful and radiant Goddess Vadivudai Amman, the divine embodiment of Gnana Shakti (wisdom and knowledge) also venerated as Tripurasundari. Her shrine is separate and draws thousands of devotees seeking blessings for clarity, healing, and spiritual insight.
The Temple of 27 Nakshatram Lingams
One of the most divine aspects of this temple is the belief that all 27 Nakshatrams (lunar stars) worshipped Lord Shiva here for purification and blessings. To commemorate their devotion, 27 distinct Shiva Lingams were installed within the temple premises, each corresponding to one Nakshatra. Devotees born under specific stars often visit the respective Lingam seeking relief from planetary afflictions and spiritual upliftment.
Another legend speaks of the time when the Asuras, Madhu and Kaitabha, stole the Vedas and hid them in the ocean's depths. Lord Vishnu, unable to defeat them alone, prayed to Shiva and Goddess Parvati. With their divine support, he assumed the Matsya (fish) avatar, retrieved the sacred texts, and brought them to this very temple for purification and consecration.
The King of Serpents, Vasuki, performed intense penance here after receiving Shiva Deeksha from Sage Upamanyu. Lord Shiva, moved by his devotion, appeared from an anthill and blessed Vasuki by adorning him as a garland around His neck. This form of the Lord is known as Otreeswarar or Padampakkanathar.
Those Spiritual Significance and unique practices
- The Abhishekam (ritual bathing) is performed not on the Lingam directly, but on the Avudayar (base).
- Once a year, during the Full Moon in Karthigai, the Lingam is revealed in its raw form as an anthill, without armor for three days. During this sacred period, it is believed that Vishnu, Brahma, and Vasuki themselves come to offer their worship.
- The temple is unique for its dual presiding deities, Sri Aadhi Pureeswarar and Sri Otreeswarar, along with two divine consorts : Vadivudai Amman and Vattaparai Amman
- It also houses two Sthala Vrikshams Athi and Makizham, and two sacred tanks, Brahma Theertham and Nandi Theertham
Apart from the main shrines, the temple has sacred sanctums for:
- Thyagarajaswamy
- Nagalingam
- Jagathambigai
- Parvathavarthini
- Amirthakadeswarar
- Kuzhanthai Eswarar (prayed to by couples desiring children)
- Bhairavar, Navagrahas, and even Saint Pattinathar
- Sahasralingam, representing a thousand manifestations of Shiva
- Shrines for all four Nalvars and various forms of Shiva from other kshetras like - Annamalaiyar, Jambukeswarar, and Meenakshi Sundareswarar
Devotees all around the world flock here seeking:
- Relief from illnesses
- Marriage alliances and childbirth
- Remedies for planetary doshas and star afflictions
- Spiritual wisdom and peace of mind
Those suffering from the ill effects of their Janma Nakshatram (birth star) often perform special poojais at the respective Nakshatra Lingams, believing the Lord’s grace will cleanse and uplift them.
Thyagaraja Swamigal, mesmerized by the divine beauty of Tripurasundari, composed the Thiruvottiyur Pancharatna Krithis in Her praise.
This sacred abode remains a timeless testimony to divine compassion, eternal knowledge, and healing energy : a temple where the 27 stars themselves bowed to the Lord of Light.
Image Credit / Source : Vedic Astrology , Alangara chakravarthi.com