Sri Thiruneetreshwarar Temple is located in Padiyanallur village, close to Red Hills, in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.This temple is believed to be around 1000 years old and dates back to the Pallava period. It is considered the oldest temple in Padiyanallur, and its ancient stone structures reflect the architecture of that era.
The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva, worshipped as Sri Thiruneetreshwarar. The Lord is in the form of a Shiva Linga, symbolizing creation and cosmic power. The divine consort of the Lord is Goddess Sri Thriloganayagi Amman, who represents strength, compassion, and protection. Devotees worship both deities for peace, prosperity, and spiritual purification.
The temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture that flourished under the Pallava rulers. The sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) is built with ancient granite stones, and the main entrance faces east, symbolizing the rising sun and new beginnings. Inside the sanctum, the Shiva Linga is beautifully adorned with flowers and sacred ash, and it is sheltered by a five-headed Naga canopy.
There are separate shrines for Lord Vinayaka, Lord Murugan with Valli and Devasena, Lord Ayyappan, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, and Rahu-Ketu within the temple complex. A spacious temple tank lies in front of the shrine, believed to have holy water with healing power. The temple corridor and outer prakaram are peaceful and ideal for meditation and prayer.
According to inscriptions and local traditions, the temple was built during the Pallava dynasty and has remained a major center of worship for centuries. The village name Padiyanallur is said to have come from a Nayanmar saint who sang devotional hymns (Padhigams) in praise of Lord Shiva in this temple. “Padiyanallur” means “the good village of songs.”
The name Thiruneetreshwarar itself has a special meaning. After defeating the demons (asuras), Lord Shiva applied sacred ash (Thiruneeru) all over his body, symbolizing the destruction of evil and purification of the soul. Since the Lord is adorned with sacred ash, He came to be known as Thiruneetreshwarar — Thiruneeru (sacred ash) + Eshwarar (Lord Shiva).
The temple legend says that during the Tamil month of Purattasi (September–October), the sun’s rays directly fall on the feet of Lord Thiruneetreshwarar for a few days every year. This rare celestial event symbolizes the divine connection between the cosmic sun and the Lord. It has also been mentioned in the sacred Agasthiyar Naadi, an ancient form of astrology.
According to belief, Sage Agasthiyar once visited this place and performed penance here. He attained divine blessings and offered upadesam (spiritual teachings) to his disciples in this very temple. The temple thus became a sacred center of knowledge and divine energy.
Devotees also believe that the holy pond in front of the temple was the spot where the king discovered the Shiva Linga emerging from a lotus flower. He built this temple in devotion to Lord Shiva, marking the beginning of the temple’s history.
Major festivals include Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham, Thiruvadhirai, Navaratri, and Aadi Pooram, celebrated with special poojas and abhishekams. The annual Brahmotsavam and Arudra Darshan also draw many devotees.
