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Writer's pictureSudharshan

Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry #49: Gnanapureeswarar or Idaichuranathar Temple, Thiruvadisoolam

ஞானபுரீசுவரர் அல்லது இடைச்சுரநாதர் திருக்கோயில், திருவடிசூலம்


This ancient Paadal Petra Sivasthalam is located about 70 km southwest of Chennai and about 6 km northeast of Chengalpattu. As it is a Paadal Petra Sthalam it must have existed in some form in the early 7th century. The site could be much older. The Pallava emperor Parameswaravarman I (670-695 CE) is credited with building the first structural temple here. Many dynasties and kings have contributed to the building of this temple. The inner core as it stands today is very much Chola and the 5 tier rajagopuram is Vijayanagara (16th century) or later. There are at least 15 sets of important inscriptions here from Kulothunga I to Vijayanagara kings like Viruppanna, Bukka Raya II and Achyuta Raya. It is administered by the HR and CE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Thirukkazhukundram Vedagiriswarar Devasthanam.


There are many legends about this temple. It is said that when Thirugnasampanthar was on a pilgrimage to visit the Sivan temples of Thondai Nadu, he had rested under a tree here on his way to the ancient Sivasthalam of Thirukkazhukundram nearby. A young cowherd- Idayan or இடையன்- approached him and asked whether the boy saint had heard about the ancient temple here. Sampanthar replied that he had not. So the cowherd led him to this temple and disappeared into the sanctum. It was the Lord himself playing with the young Sampanthar. Thus this place came to be known as Thiruvidaichuram. Sampanthar rendered a pathikam for this temple.


வரிவள ரவிரொளி யரவரை தாழ

வார்சடை முடிமிசை வளர்மதி சூடிக்

கரிவளர் தருகழல் கால்வல னேந்திக்

கனலெரி யாடுவர் காடரங் காக

விரிவளர் தருபொழில் இளமயில் ஆல

வெண்ணிறத் தருவிகள் திண்ணென வீழும்

எரிவள ரினமணி புனமணி சாரல்

இடைச்சுர மேவிய இவர்வண மென்னே


It is also true that this temple is situated between two hills. Idai also mean between in Tamil. Another reason for the temple to be called Thiruvidaichuram. Today the name of the village has evolved to Thiruvadisoolam.


It is located about 70 km or 2 hours southwest of Chennai. We visited in May 2023. We were based in Chennai.



Credits: Google Maps

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