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53. Tiruvothur

திருவோத்தூர் 

Location: Cheyyar near Kanchipuram .
(Nadu Naadu)
Shiva: Vedanatheswarar
Ambal: Ilamulaiyamman, Balakuchambika
Vriksham: Panaimaram
Theertham: Kalyanakotitheertham
Patikam : Sambandar
Travel Base:Kanchipuram
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Description: This Shivastalam is within an hours drive from Kanchipuram and it is known for its association with Sambandar. This is the 8th of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India.

The Temple: This is a  a vast temple with very few visitors today, as little is left of its past glory. The Rajagopuram here is visible from a distance as one approaches Cheyyar from KanchipuramThe stalavriksham here is a group of four palm trees. The four palm trees are said to represent the four Vedas.Although this temple was an earlier foundation, inscriptions here are primarily from the middle and later Chola periods (11th -13th centuries).

Legends: Shiva is said to have revealed the Vedas to the Gods and Rishis from under a banyan tree here. The four palm trees represent the 4 vedas.    Sambandar, arriving from Tiruvannamalai is said to have transformed a male palm tree to a female one, responding to the pleas of an anxious devotee. There are several legends connected with Sambandar here. Shiva is said to have appeared as a snake charmer to save Sambandar from the clutches of a snake.

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