The temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Pennai / Malattaru. From Sundarar’s hymn of this temple it is known that during his period the river was flowing on northern side of the temple, but now it flows on the opposite side. The historical name of this place is Thiruthuraiyur but it is now known as Thiruthalur.
As per the stone inscriptions, this village was earlier called “Rajaraja Valanattuth Thirumunaippadi Thiruthuraiyur”. The lord here is named “Thava Neri Aludaiyar”.
Salient Features
The significance of this temple is that Lord Vinayakar is facing the east, Lord Shiva is facing the west, Lord Murugan is facing the south and the Goddess Parvathi is facing the north. Since the four main deities are facing different directions, this temple is considered very unique and auspicious.
Thiruthuraiyur is the first temple where Sundarar rendered his hymn after obtaining sainthood at Thiruvennainallur. Before this he had rendered a hymn at his birth place Thirunavalur. In his hymn of this temple, saint Sundarar can be seen pleading with the lord to teach him the principles of penance.
Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
It is said that Suryan is worshiping the Lord here during the first week of Tamil month Chithirai (April-May) by directing his rays on the lingam in the evenings.
There is a famous shrine for Ashtapuja Pathrakali (Kali with eight hands) outside this temple. There is also another shrine for Lord Shiva at Kizhappakkam (a place near this temple).
This is the birth place of Saint Arul Nandhi Sivachariyar, popularly known as “Sakalakama Pandithar”. He is the second of the four “Santhana Kuravarkal” and has written the famous treatises on “sastra” - “Shivagnana Sidhiyar” and “Iruba Irubadu”. There is a separate shrine at his place of burial (Gurumurtham).