About trip

About Temple: This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 36th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

• Moolavar:Sri Gomuktheeswarar, Sri Masilamaneeswarar
• Ambal:Sri Oppillamulaiyammai, Sri Athulyakujambal, Sri Abhaya Gujambal
• Theertham (Holy water):Gomukthi Theertham, Padma Theertham
• Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree):Padar Arasu (Peepal tree)
• Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by :Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar).
• Location:Thiruvavaduthurai, Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu.

History:

• This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
• Saint Thirumoolar, one of the 63 Nayanmars and one of the 18 Siddhars, lived in this place.
• Thirumaaligai Thevar, a staunch Shiva devotee and one of the 63 celebrated Nayanmars lived in this place.
• This east facing temple has 3 corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• The tower (Vimanam) above the sanctum sanctorium is of the “Dwaidala” style of architecture.
• This temple’s Nandhi is one of the biggest Nandhis in Tamil Nadu.
• The historical names of this place are Nandhinagar, Navakoti Siddharpuram, Arasavanam, Bothivanam, Gokazhi, Thuraisai and Gomuktinagar.
• Thiruvavaduthurai is the place where the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam is situated. 
• This is one of the oldest Shiva Mutts and it manages a number of charitable endowments. It has many Shiva temples under its administrative control. 
• It is to be noted that Mutts like Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam are the reason why many Shiva temples in the southern region are still cared for and have regular poojas.
• The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of the Chola Kings Paranthakan-I to Rajarajadevan. Other inscriptions dating to the period of Kings Mara Varman and Vikrama Pandiyan can also be seen.
• Women pray for the safety and longevity of their husbands. It is also believed that worshiping Lord Shiva here will result in the reunion of estranged couples.
• Since King Musukunda was blessed with a child, it is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here. 
• Devoees can also pray to this lord for removal of obstacles from their wedding proposals.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Nagapattinam Sightseeing

Proceed towards Nagapattinam. Then transfer to Hotel. Hotel Check In. Then proceed to visit Dutch Fort. Kayarohanaswamy Temple. Sikkal Singaravelar Temple. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 2 - Nagapattinam Sightseeing

Morning Breakfast at Hotel. Check out from Hotel. Then Proceed towards Sri Gomuktheeswarar Temple at Thiruvavaduthurai. Soundaryaraja Perumal Temple. Nellukadai Mariamman Temple. Finally drop at Railway Junction / Airport.