Othandeeswarar temple
| Othandeeswarar Temple | |
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 Othandeeswarar Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
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| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 13°03′18″N 80°03′42″E / 13.05500°N 80.06167°ECoordinates: 13°03′18″N 80°03′42″E / 13.05500°N 80.06167°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Tiruvallur |
| Location | Thirumazhisai |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Othandeeswarar(Shiva) |
| Consort | Kulirvithanayaki (Parvathi) |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
Othandeeswarar Temple in Thirumazhisai, a village in Tiruvallur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is located 22 km from the state capital Chennai. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple was built during the 11th century by Chola king Kulothunga Chola II. Shiva is worshipped as Othandeeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Kulirvithanayaki.
A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower. The Vijayanagar and Nayak kings made further expansion to the temple during the 16th century.
The temple is open from 6 am - 11:30 am and 4:30 - 8:00 pm on all days. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Brahmotsavamfestival during the Tamil month of Panguni (March - April) and Sani Peyarchi (transit of planet Saturn) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
As per another legend, Chola king Kulothunga Chola II was hunting in the forest and while returning from Thirumullaivasal, found a blockade on his way. He tried to remove it using his sword and found blood stain in it. He later found that it emnated from the image of lingam (an iconic form of Shiva) in the place. The king wanted to expiate his sin of cutting the image and cut his hand. Shiva was pleased with the devotion and appeared to him at this place as Othandeeswarar along with his consort Parvathi as Kulirvithanayaki. Othandeeswarar also restored the hand of Kulothunga Chola and hence got the name Kai Thantha Piran. The presiding deity at the temple is still believed to have a scar on it.
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