Sirkazhi

Sirkazhi is a small town in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

It is situated near the banks of the river Kollidam (Coleroon). This picturesque town has a beautiful and spotlessly clean Shiva temple. Brahmapureeshwarar (Shiva)- Thirunilainaayaki (Parvathi) are the main deities. On the banks of this temple's tank was where "Thirugyanasambandhar", one of the great Saivite saints, as an infant was fed the milk of wisdom by Goddess Parvathi herself. The temple's cleanliness is noteworthy. The temple is maintained spotlessly clean sadly, in stark contrast with other temples in India. Yet another famous temple town of Vaitheeswaran Koil, famous for its Shiva temple as well and its "Nadi Jyosiyam", a unique way of astrology is situated less than 5 km from Sirkazhi.

This article also covers Vaitheeswaran Koil.

See and do

• Kalai koodam In Poompukar
• Kaazhicheeraama Vinnagaram - Vishnu Temple, one of the 108 divya desams. Trivikraman, the deity here is Vishnu in his avatar as Vamana, wherein he asked for 3 footsteps of Land and went onto measure all 3 worlds. This temple is situated in this town.
• Navagraha Temples
• Poompukar Beach
• Thirunangur Divya Desams - There are 12 Divya Desams (temples of Lord Vishnu) which are situated in and around Thirunangur, which is about 20 km from Sirkazhi. One of them, Tirunagari is the birthplace of Thirumangai Azhwar. The Thirunangur divya desams come alive during the Thai Amavasai (New Moon day in the month of January) during which the 12 Deities of these divya desams are taken in procession on Garudan. One of the most beautiful sights to be seen.
• Trancebaur Fort
• Tirupulliruku Velur, popularly known as Vaitheeswaran Koil, is one of the most important Saivite shrines of Tanjore District. It's enclosed within tall granite walls, in the centre of the town.

This temple has extensive landed properties including 1176 acres of dry lands and 6105 of wet lands. Jewels to the value of ₹1,60,750 are kept here to adorn the deities during festival days, and many additions like silver and gold cover for the images, and gem-set crown, have been added to the collections by the devotees and the head of the Dharmapuri Adheenam.

There is a big car to take the image in procession during the Chitra festival and it was constructed at a cost of ₹12,000. Many silver and gold trays have also been endowed by the rich devotees and are used during the important festivals. This temple is administered ably by the Dharmapuri Adheenam.

The birth place (Avathara Sthalam) of the great Vaishnava saint-poet Thirumangai Azhwar (also called Kaliyan) called ThirukkuRaiyalur is situated near Sirkazhi. The exact birth location where the great Azhwar was born is marked with a small statue of his, just outside the thirukkuRaiyalur Narasimha temple.

Buy

You can buy Artistic works of poombuhar those made of kilinchal, and sea items.

Eat

You can eat South Indian vegetarian cuisine, including puliyotharai, pongal in Hotel Anantha Cafe or your non vegetarian cuisine in Katta Mudaliar or in Murugan Kadai Parotta or Ayarpadi Mess.

• Hotel Sadhabhishekam, ☏ +91 4364 279224. Decent food, and really pretty surroundings. 
• Sri Thaiyal Nayaki Vilas Hotel near the main entrance of the temple. It's an old traditional Brahmin's Hotel.

Drink

Don't miss the Thunder which is available near to Peria kovil.

Sleep

You can go to lodge which is very famous in sirkazhi, Sri Balaji Tourist home

• Sri Akshardham Hotel food is good. Check-in and check-out 24 hr. So be sure you check in late if you have a connecting train or bus next day. The place is at the center of 4 of the 9 Navagraha Sthala's. Charges are around ₹900 per day and room service.
• Sri Guru Lodge, Amman Sannathi, Ph: 94435 65208. The contact person is Mr.Kumar - Mobile: +91 9443565208 .
• Sri Thaila Lodge, Amman Sannathi. Ph: +91 04364 -279405. Mobile: +91 94439-85979, 99448-86682.
• Sri Vishwa Lodge, Amman Sannathi. Ph: +91 043-64279132. Mobile: +91 94882-15132/94435-64207.

Go next

• Chidambaram
• Pondicherry