Arulmigu Periyanayagi Ambal Temple, Trichitrambalam

Arulmigu Sri Periyanayagi Ambal Sametha Sri Purathanavaneswarar Temple, Trichitrambalam

Thennādudaiya Sivanē Pōtri
Ennāttavarkkum Iraivā Pōtri

Located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, the Arulmigu Periyanayagi Ambal Sametha Purathanavaneswarar Temple is a sacred site renowned for showering grace, granting marriage boons, and providing spiritual liberation (Mukti). It is recognized as a Saiva Vaipu Sthalam (mentioned in Devaram hymns) and is sanctified by the grace of the Lord, who is said to have personally signed as “Trichitrambalam Udaiyan” in Manikkavasagar’s Thiruvasagam. Named “Chitrambalam” after the Golden Hall where Shiva performed his Ananda Tandava (Dance of Bliss), this temple serves as a powerful remedial site (Parihara Sthalam) for peace, prosperity, and well-being.

History of the Trichitrambalam Temple

The temple is over 1,300 years old. Inscriptions from the Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagara empires are found here.

• 878 AD: During the reign of Varaguna Pandya II, the place was referred to as “Thiruchitremam.”
• 936 AD: Parantaka Chola donated sheep for the maintenance of the temple.
• Literary Merit: The temple is praised by Saint Sundarar in the 7th Thirumurai. Legends also state that Saint Manikkavasagar composed parts of the Thiruvasagam here. Historically, it is believed to have been a site during the Buddhist era before being restored as a Shiva temple during the Saivite revival.

Trichitrambalam Temple Mythology (Sthala Puranam)

According to legend, Goddess Parvati once attracted Lord Yama with her divine beauty. With Shiva’s grace, she grew as Periyanayagi and married Lord Shiva with the help of 33 crore Devas.

When Lord Shiva was in deep meditation, Manmatha (the God of Love) shot flower arrows at him to wake him. In his anger, Shiva opened his third eye and burnt Manmatha to ashes; this spot is known as “Kaman Kotal.” Upon Goddess Rathi’s plea, Shiva later revived Manmatha and assigned his duties under Yama. Since Shiva performed the Ananda Tandava here, the place is called “Chitrambalam.” The nearby shrine for Yamadharma Raja is believed to remove the fear of death and help clear debts. Devotees believe that applying the temple soil as sacred ash (Vibhuthi) leads to Mukti.

Trichitrambalam Temple Structure

The temple features a 3-tiered Rajagopuram facing East.

• Main Deity: A Swayambhu (self-manifested) Lingam resides in the sanctum.
• Goddess: Periyanayagi Ambal faces South, blessing her devotees.
• Unique Shrine – Poo-vizhungi Vinayagar: Located in the circumambulatory path of the Goddess shrine. Devotees place a flower in the Ganapati’s ear and make a wish; if the wish is to be granted, the flower is “swallowed” (moves inward).
• Other Shrines: Twin Vinayagar, Natarajar (Ambalathaduvar), Murugan, Venkateswara, Lakshmi, Sapthamathar, Dakshinamurthy, Bhairavar, and the Navagrahas.
• Note: Uniquely, the Nandi is located outside, and there is no flagstaff (Kodimaram). A lotus pond is situated nearby.

Special Significance & Remedies

The temple is a famous Marriage Parihara Sthalam. Weddings are frequently conducted here on auspicious days (except in the months of Aadi and Margazhi).

• Remedies for: Kanda Sani, Thara Dosha, marriage delays, debt clearance, longevity, and childlessness.
• “Padi Kattu” Puja: Performed specifically to help repay long-standing debts.
• Honey Abhishekam: Offered to Poo-vizhungi Vinayagar for double boons.
• Thiruvasagam Recital: Believed to absolve one of sins.

Festivals at Trichitrambalam Temple

• Maha Shivaratri: Special Abhishekam and Theerthavari.
• Masi Magam: Grand festival celebrations.
• Vaikasi Visakam: Silver chariot procession, Teppotsavam (float festival), and Abhishekam.
• Vinayagar Chaturthi: Honey Abhishekam for Poo-vizhungi Vinayagar.
• Kaman Pandigai: Celebrated on Masi Pournami to commemorate the Manmatha legend.

Trichitrambalam Temple Timings

06:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM. (Special Darshan during Pradosham).

How to Reach Trichitrambalam Temple?

• From Pattukkottai: 15 km (on the Pattukkottai – Aranthangi road).
• From Thanjavur: 55 km.
• By Bus/Rail: Frequent buses from Thanjavur and Pattukkottai. The nearest railway station is Pattukkottai.

Trichitrambalam Temple Address

Arulmigu Periyanayagi Ambal Sametha Purathanavaneswarar Temple, Trichitrambalam, Pattukkottai Taluk, Thanjavur District – 614 628.

Contact: +91 4366 325 023, +91 94433 67890

Recent Update: On Thursday, September 11, 2025, the Balalayam ceremony was performed for the sub-deities and the temple towers, marking the official beginning of renovation and restoration work (Thiruppani).

Devotees are invited to visit this sacred site to seek marriage boons, family prosperity, and spiritual liberation.

This post is published by..

Umamaheswari Sivanesan

Vanakkam! I'm Uma, currently living in Chennai. I hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry (M.Sc.), but my true passion lies in spirituality and the rich cultural heritage of Tamil traditions.

Read full bio →