Sakshinatheswarar Temple

🛕 Lord Shiva | 📍 Thiruppurambiyam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

✔ Verified by Mandirvaas

⏰ Darshan

Morning: 06:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 05:00 PM – 09:00 PM

📅 Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings are preferable for a quieter darshan. For devotees interested in special worship, Masi Magam and Vinayagar Chaturthi are particularly significant, though these occasions can be crowded.

📸 Photography

Not Allowed

🔱 Temple Significance

Sakshinatheswarar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple at Thiruppurambiyam near Kumbakonam. Shiva is worshipped as Sakshinathar/Sakshinatheswarar, while the Goddess is Kuraivilla Azhagi (Ikshuvani). The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams and is praised by Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar in the Tevaram. It is traditionally famous as the place where Shiva appeared as a witness for a Chettiar woman, giving the deity the name Sakshinathar.

🏛 Temple History

Thiruppurambiyam was the site of an important 9th-century battle that influenced the rise of the later Chola Empire. Chola King Aditya I is traditionally credited with rebuilding the earlier brick temple in stone and naming it Aditeshwaram. The sanctum of the Goddess was later built by Rajaraja Chola I. The temple also contains Chola-period inscriptions and numerous sculptures.

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Daily Poojas

Regular temple worship schedule

Arthajamam

09:00 PM

Uchikalam

12:00 PM

Sayarakshai

06:00 PM

Kalasandhi

06:00 AM

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Special Rituals

Sacred offerings and temple rituals

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No special rituals available currently.

🎉 Temple Festivals

No festivals available.

🔔 Darshan Timings & Rules

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Dress Code

Modest and traditional clothing is recommended.

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Photography

Not allowed

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Prasad

Available

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Prasad Details

Temple prasadam availability should be confirmed locally.

🧭 Pilgrim Travel Tips

Begin your visit with darshan of Sakshinatheswarar and Kuraivilla Azhagi.
This is a Paadal Petra Sthalam, praised by Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar, making it important for devotees following the Tevaram tradition.
Do not miss the unique Pralayam Kaatha Vinayagar shrine.
The Pralayam Kaatha Vinayagar is traditionally known as Thenabhishekap Peruman; honey abhishekam is performed on Vinayagar Chaturthi night.
The temple legend of Shiva appearing as a witness for a Chettiar woman is one of its most important highlights.
The Vanni tree, well and Madapalli are traditionally associated with the witness legend.
Visit the special Sri Guhambika shrine, where Murugan is depicted in child form on the Goddess's hip.
Other important shrines include Nalvar, Dakshinamurthy, Durga, Nataraja, Navagrahas, Somaskandar, Subramanya and Gajalakshmi.
The temple has Brahma Theertham and Saptasagara Kupa (Seven Seas Well) associated with the temple.
The temple is traditionally regarded as a marriage-related pilgrimage site; devotees visit Sri Guhambika and Sakshinatheswarar as part of this tradition.
Masi Magam is the major annual festival, while Shivaratri, Panguni Uthiram, Navaratri, Karthigai and Vinayagar Chaturthi are also important.
Allow around 45–90 minutes for a relaxed darshan and to explore the different shrines.
Wear modest traditional clothing and remove footwear before entering the temple.
Senior citizens and families should allow sufficient time because the temple complex has multiple shrines and precincts.
The temple can be combined with Kumbakonam, Swamimalai and nearby Paadal Petra Sthalam temples for a larger pilgrimage circuit.
Confirm current timings before travelling, particularly on festival days.