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Periyandavar Temple is one of the oldest temples in Sirkazhi, a village in the district of Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to the revered deity Periyandavar, who is an avatar of Lord Shiva. The temple is renowned for its splendid architecture and festive celebration. Visitors are fascinated by the beautiful carvings and peaceful environment that make this a great place for thought and worship. Apart from being a spiritual centre, this temple has been an expression of the glorious legacy of this region. The temple has also gained importance for nicely integrating ancient history with local beliefs and practices.
Quick Details
Location: Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu, India
Address: Thirunilai Village, Oragadam Post, Chengalpet Taluk, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, 603109, India.
Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM and 4 PM – 8 PM
Best Time To visit: October to March
Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Sirkazhi Railway Station
Location
Photo: Krishna Kumar / Wikimedia Commons
The temple is located in the town of Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district. This ancient temple is surrounded by lush green landscapes, which give a soothing atmosphere to the visitors. The town itself has cultural importance because of its belief in decade-long traditional practices. Located near the Bay of Bengal, the town has easy connectivity with cities located nearby.
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How To Reach
Photo: Trinidade / Wikimedia Commons
By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is Puducherry Airport. Its distance is about 80 km. The temple is about 180 km away from Chennai International Airport.
By Train: Sirkazhi Railway Station is 3 km from the temple. Regular trains to major cities like Chennai, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli are easily available from this station. Autorickshaws and taxis are also easily available for quick rides to the temple.
By Road: For those travelling by road, Sirkazhi is well connected by state highways; hence, buses are easily available from cities like Thanjavur and Cuddalore.
Places To Visit Around Periyandavar Temple
1. Thiruvaiyaru Thyagarajaswamy Temple
Photo: VEEDHI VIDANGAR / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple holds an annual Thyagaraja Aradhana festival that is graced by musicians and devotees around the world. The puristic detailing of sculptures and architecture in this temple exemplifies the artistry put forth by the Chola dynasty. Surrounded by a peaceful ambiance and with the sacred river Kaveri nearby, the sanctity of this temple will surely beckon all visitors looking for a tie to the Tamil culture and devotion.
Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM, 4 PM – 8:30 PM
Distance From The Temple: 5 km
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2. Brahadeeswarar Temple
Photo: Thamizhpparithi Maari / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This great temple built by the Cholas in honour of Lord Shiva is a marvelous construction of architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a vimana of about 66 meters, one of the tallest in the world. The temple is full of fantastic sculptures, murals, and inscriptions portraying the richness of Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage. The temple complex is also constructed to include a vast courtyard and a holy water reservoir to offer a tranquil environment for worship and reflection.
Timings: 6 AM – 12:30 PM, 4 PM – 8 PM
Distance From The Temple: 15 km
3. Kandiyur Sivan Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Kandiyur Sivan Temple is located in the town of Kandiyur which lies near Thiruvaiyaru. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, boasts fabulous sculptures and intricate carvings narrating the various tales of numerous deities and other mythological scenes. With the pilgrimage centre of the temple, people from all walks of life flock to this place to seek divine blessings, perform various rituals, and experience others’ intermissions.
Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM, 4 PM – 8 PM
Distance From The Temple: 6 km
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4. Panchanadeeshwarar Temple
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and abounds in history and mythology. It is said that relieving people from ailments and misfortunes can be achieved by worshipping here. The temple is rich in sculptures and carvings with varied deities and scenes from the Hindu myths. The serene atmosphere and landscape add to the spiritual aura for the worshipper. Regular rituals and festivals, especially during the auspicious month of Maha Shivaratri, attract a flock of devotees to this religious site in their quest for blessings.
Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM, 4 PM – 8 PM
Distance From The Temple: 4 km
5. Veeratteswarar Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is found to be distinct in its legends and rituals. It is believed that this temple was constructed because, out of benevolence, Lord Shiva appeared at that place to confer blessings on the devotees. The architecture here is stunning, with intricate carvings and sculptures that depict stories from Hindu epics. It is also a place for various festivals in which hundreds of people gather, but this usually happens during the full moon nights.
Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM, 4 PM – 8 PM
Distance From The Temple: 10 km
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Where To Stay
Photo: Andrew Neel / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
There are several quiet, comfortable places to stay near the temple in Thiruvaiyaru. Kumaravel Residency is very popular because of the well-furnished rooms that are complemented by modern comforts. Hotel Thanjavur Gate is very convenient and offers expansive rooms as well as a central location that is close to all of Thiruvaiyaru. Hotel Anbu is another budget-friendly choice that offers clean rooms and basic services for travellers looking for convenience at a lower budget.
Where To Eat
Photo: Mahi Tatavarty / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Near the temple in Thiruvaiyaru, several good joints have excellent traditional Tamil food. Aaharam Mess is one of the most famous ones and offers fresh, home-cooked meals on banana leaves. Another favourite is Sri Karpaga Vinayaga Mess, which specialises in simple yet flavourful vegetarian dishes, including a variety of rice preparations. The Hotel Sree Krishna Bhavan, near Thanjavur, shouldn’t be missed if you are willing to venture further out.
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Other Factors To Consider
Photo: ian dooley / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Tips For Travellers
- Plan your visit: Get there early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid the maddening crowds, especially during the festival season.
- Carry sufficient cash: Some places may offer an online payment system, but sometimes you still need to carry cash for offerings, donations, and souvenirs that you can only buy with cash.
- Bring water at all times: The weather is pretty hot, especially during the summer season. Bring a water bottle so you won’t run out of liquids, especially when you get thirsty from walking around the place.
- Respect local customs: Avoid any interaction that may disturb the customs followed at the temple by devotees. This requires avoiding loud discussions inside the temple.
Periyandavar Temple in Thiruvaiyaru is not just a place of worship but also a cultural centre drenched with spirituality. The temple is soaked in the legacy of Saint Thyagaraja by virtue of old bonds with Tamilians and their musical heritage and culture. So, for travellers visiting this part of the country, there is much to learn from the temple. Plan a trip with TripXL and make the most of your visit!
Cover Photo: Saravanan Narayanan / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
