History :

Thiruvavaduthurai is situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Mayiladuthurai. It is on the Mayiladuthurai – Kuthalam – Kumbakonam route. There is a small diversion road on the left side from Thiruvaalangadu leading to this temple. It is about one kilometre away from the main road. A beautiful arch can be seen at the entrance of the diversion road. Nearest railway station is Narasinganpettai (3 kms) on the Mayiladuthurai to Kumbakonam railway line. Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Therizhanthur, Thirukkozhambam, Kuthalam, Thirumanancheri, Velvikkudi, Ethirkolpadi, Thiruvidaimaruthur and Mayiladuthurai.
The historical names of this place are Nandhinagar, Navakoti Siddharpuram, Arasavanam, Bothivanam, Gokazhi, Thuraisai and Gomuktinagar.

Thiruvavaduthurai is the place where the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam is situated. This is one of the oldest Shiva Mutts and it manages a number of charitable endowments. It has many Shiva temples under its administrative control. It is to be noted that Mutts like Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam are the reason why many Shiva temples in the southern region are still cared for and have regular poojas.

The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of the Chola Kings Paranthakan-I to Rajarajadevan. Other inscriptions dating to the period of Kings Mara Varman and Vikrama Pandiyan can also be seen.

Legend :

Thiruvavaduthurai enjoys a special place in mythology because it is linked to the legends of a few nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.

• At Therezhunthur, Lord Shiva cursed Goddess Parvathy which made her turn into a cow. Lord Mahavishnu played the role of a shepherd here.
• At Thirukkozhambam, Goddess Parvathy, who was in the form of a cow, worshiped Lord Shiva. During the worship, as the cow’s leg hit Lord Shiva by mistake, its hoof made a mark on the lord’s chest.
• At Thiruvaduthurai, again Goddess Parvathy (in the form a cow) worshiped Lord Shiva. It is here that Goddess Parvathy was relieved of her curse and got restored to her original form.
• At Thiruthuruthi (Kuthalam), Sage Bharatha performed a yagna and it is believed that Goddess Parvathy came out of the fire in the form of a child.
• At Ethirkolpadi, Lord Shiva was received as a groom by his father-in-law, Sage Bharatha.
• At Thiruvelvikudi, the wedding ceremony including the yagna (“Velvi”) was performed. This is the great place where the earthly wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy took place.
• At Thirumanancheri, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy granted their wedding darshan to everyone.