Tiruvetkalam Pasupatheswarar Temple, Chidambaram - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 3 km from Chidambaram Bus Stand, Tiruvetkalam Pasupatheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located inside the Annamalai University complex in Chidambaram. It is one of the prominent religious places to visit as part of Chidambaram Tour Packages.

Tiruvetkalam Pasupatheswarar Temple is a revered site dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, worshipped here as Pasupatheswarar, alongside His consort, Nalla Nayaki. This temple is recognized as one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and is the second Shiva Sthalam located on the northern bank of the Cauvery River in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai) after Thillai Nataraja Temple. It is believed to be over 2000 years old, originally constructed by the Pallava kings and later renovated in 1914 by Peddha Perumal Chettiar of Kanadukathan. Historically, this location is known as Moonkilvanam.

According to Hindu mythology, Arjuna, the Pandava prince from the Mahabharata, undertook rigorous penance at this site to appease Lord Shiva. During his meditation, Arjuna encountered a wild boar running towards him to attack. As he shot the boar with an arrow, another hunter claimed to have struck it first, leading to a confrontation between the two. In the ensuing struggle, Arjuna shot an arrow at the hunter, whose response reverberated throughout the world. The hunter, who was in fact Shiva in disguise, then tossed Arjuna aside, causing him to fall into Krupa Samudram. It took Arjuna time to realise that it was Shiva in the form of the hunter who attacked him. Parvati, Shiva's consort, was initially angered by Arjuna's actions, but Shiva calmed her, and both deities subsequently bestowed upon Arjuna the boon of a weapon named Pasupatham. This event led to Shiva being revered as Pasupatheeswarar at this location. The 11th-century text Periyapuranam recounts the visit of Sambandar to this temple after traveling from Thillai Nataraja Temple.

The temple spans an area of two acres and features multiple shrines. The central shrine enshrines Lord Pasupatheswarar, who is revered as a Swayambhu Murti. In a separate shrine, Mother Nallanayaki blesses her devotees, depicted with four hands, two of which hold Lotus and Neelotpala flowers. This temple uniquely includes a Nandi positioned in front of the Ambal. The pillars within the Ambal shrine showcase exquisite stone sculptures illustrating the battle between Shiva and Arjuna. Similar to Vaidheeswaran Koil, fine sand balls are offered as prasadam here, particularly sought after by individuals experiencing speech difficulties.

The Tamil New Year, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April), is the most significant festival observed at the temple. Other notable festivals include Vaikasi Visagam in May-June, Aani Thirumanjanam in June-July, Navratri in Purattasi, Annabishekam in Aipasi, Thiruvadirai in Margazhi, and Karthikai somavaram.

Timings: 6 AM - 11.30 AM & 5.30 PM - 8.30 PM

Entry: Free