Durvasapuram Sundareswarar Temple, Pudukkottai

Address

Sri Sundareswarar Temple,

Durvasapuram – 622 409,

Kannanore post, Pudukkottai district.

Phone: 94427 62219

Moolavar

Sundareswarar

Amman

Bagampiriyal

Introduction

Durvasapuram Sundareswarar Temple is a revered Shiva temple situated in Durvasapuram, Pudukkottai district, about 10 km from Tirumayam on the Thirumayam–Madurai road. The temple is closely associated with Sage Durvasa, who is believed to have worshipped a Shiva Lingam here while returning from Sri Lanka after Lord Rama’s victory. In honor of the sage’s worship, the place came to be known as Durvasapuram.

The temple is also renowned for its powerful Kala Bhairava shrine. Devotees believe that lighting a pumpkin lamp to Lord Kala Bhairava here helps remove planetary afflictions. Additionally, as part of a unique ritual to fulfill wishes, a clay dog statue is offered to the deity on the eighth day of the each month. This practice highlights the deep faith in Bhairava’s protective and wish-fulfilling powers at this sacred site.

Puranic Significance

After Lord Sri Rama returned to Ayodhya from Lanka with Mother Sita, the accompanying sages also journeyed back to their own regions. Sage Durvasa, while passing through this area, discovered a Shivalinga and worshipped it. Over time, the Linga became buried and forgotten.

Later, a milk vendor who frequently traveled along that path kept stumbling at the same spot due to a tree root. One day, he decided to cut the root to clear the path, and to his surprise, it began to bleed. Upon closer inspection, he discovered the buried Shivalinga. This miraculous event led to the construction of a temple at the site.

Special Features

According to legend, when a king once visited this temple, his minister insisted that the arati, along with kumkum, sandal paste, and sacred ash offered to Lord Bhairava, should be presented to the king first before the public. However, after the king completed his worship, his forehead and eyes—where the sandal paste had been applied—began to burn and showed signs of leprosy. Distressed, the king returned to the Bhairava shrine and sincerely sought forgiveness for his prideful demand. Moved by his repentance, Lord Bhairava mercifully cured him. Since then, prasads are traditionally not offered to devotees in this temple.

Lord Kala Bhairava is enshrined in a separate sanctum, and special yajnas are conducted on Ashtami days in the new moon fortnight, sponsored by devotees. A unique Vada garland, fried in cow ghee, is offered during these rituals, with a fee of ₹300.

During the Champaka Sura Sashti festival, Lord Bhairava is taken out in procession over six days. Dramatic reenactments of his victories over the demons Padmasuran and Mallasuran are performed. Due to the prominence of Lord Bhairava here, the temple is widely known as the Bhairava Temple.

Festivals

Aani Tirumanjanam (June-July), Chambakasura Shashti in Karthikai (November-December) and Triambakashtami in Panguni (March-April) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.