- Deity
- Shiva (Gajasamhara Murthy)
- Timings
- 6 am to 11 am, 4 pm to 8 pm
- Associated star
- Ashwini
- Distance from Thiruvarur
- About 30 km
- Nearest airport
- Tiruchirappalli
The legend
In the Daruka forest lived sages who had grown proud and believed that even the gods drew their power from their sacrifices. To humble them, Shiva appeared as a handsome mendicant and Vishnu as the enchantress Mohini, and both the sages and their families were drawn away from their rituals. When the angry sages sent an elephant against Shiva, he revealed his true form and killed it. Devotees read the story as Shiva destroying pride, arrogance and envy.
Worship and beliefs
People born under the Ashwini nakshatra come here to perform special offerings, believing they bring relief from past sins and a fresh start. Prayers on full-moon and new-moon days are considered especially fruitful. Six pujas are performed every day, and abhishekam and star-specific rituals can be arranged.
Festivals
- The Chithirai festival (April–May)
- Navaratri (September–October)
- Maha Shivaratri
Timings and dress
The shrine opens from 6 am to 11 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm daily. Traditional dress is preferred: dhoti or pyjama with an upper cloth for men, and saree or salwar kameez for women.
How to reach
Thiruthuraipoondi is about 30 km from Thiruvarur and about 65 km from Thanjavur, with regular buses from both. The town has its own railway station, and Thiruvarur Junction has more services. Tiruchirappalli has the nearest airport. We can add the temple to a Thanjavur and Thiruvarur temple tour, which pairs well with the Navagraha shrines around Kumbakonam. Mornings are the calmest time to visit, and the temple can get busy on Ashwini star days and on Pradosham evenings.
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