Set in Thiruvanthipuram, Tamil Nadu, Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram is dedicated to Devanatha Perumal (Vishnu) standing form and consort Hemabujavalli Thayar (Lakshmi); hilltop shrine to Hayagriva. It is also known as Thiruvaheendrapuram, Thiruvahindrapuram, Second Tirupati.
This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet-saints; it is counted as the 41st Divya Desam. Over 50 inscriptions at the temple record royal grants from rulers including Kulothunga Chola I, Rajaraja Chola III and the Vijayanagara king Achyuta Deva Raya.
Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Evening | 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
Hours may change during festivals.
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily rituals following the Vadakalai tradition: Ushatkalam (7 AM), Kalashanti (8 AM), Uchikalam (12 PM), Sayarakshai (6 PM), Irandamkalam (7 PM) and Ardha Jamam (10 PM), each with decoration, food offering and lamp waving
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Chithirai Brahmotsavam | Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May) | A twelve-day festival with a temple car procession on the ninth day |
| Masi Mahotsavam | Tamil month of Masi (February-March) | A ten-day festival during which the festival image is taken to the Cuddalore seashore |
| Vaikunta Ekadasi | Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) | Observed with the opening of the Swarga Vasal (paradise gateway) |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style with a five-tiered Rajagopuram about 60 ft high, a granite compound wall enclosing shrines and water tanks, and the main shrine facing east; a hilltop shrine to Hayagriva stands on the adjoining hill, said to be the only historical hilltop Hayagriva shrine in South India
History
Over 50 inscriptions at the temple record royal grants from rulers including Kulothunga Chola I, Rajaraja Chola III and the Vijayanagara king Achyuta Deva Raya. According to legend, the sages Vasishta and Vyasa performed penance here, and Markandeya and Bhudevi are also said to have done penance at the site where Vishnu appeared bearing his divine weapons. The Vedanta philosopher Vedanta Desika is closely associated with the temple. Thirumangai Alvar composed hymns glorifying it in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.
Planning your visit
How to reach
About 3 km from Panruti and roughly 5 km from Cuddalore. Buses run from Chennai, Puducherry, Chidambaram and Villupuram to Panruti, with local buses and autos onward to the temple. Nearest railway station is Panruti/Cuddalore; nearest airports are Puducherry and Chennai.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Some distance and visiting-hour details vary slightly between sources