Thiruvathigai Arulmigu Veerateswarar Temple, also known as Virattaneshwara Temple, is a revered Shiva temple located in Thiruvathigai village, 2 kilometers from Panruti in Tamil Nadu. The deity, Veerataneswarar, is worshipped in the form of a lingam, while his consort, Parvati, appears as Thiripurasundari. The temple is highly significant, celebrated in the 7th-century Saiva canonical work, Tevaram, and is known as a Paadal Petra Sthalam, cherished by saint poet Appar.
The temple is one of Tamil Nadu's largest, featuring two grand gopurams and several shrines, with Veerateeswarar and Mookambigai being the main attractions. Housing multiple halls and three precincts, the temple follows six daily rituals and twelve annual festivals. Managed by Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a South Indian monastic institution, this temple is a place of devotion, drawing countless pilgrims seeking blessings and divine grace throughout the year.
According to legend, Thiruvathigai Veerateswarar Temple marks the site where Shiva vanquished three demons who created three cities. With the help of Vishnu, who provided an arrow, Shiva defeated the Tripura demons, a cosmic event believed to represent celestial destruction. Shiva’s victory led to his title, Tripurantaka, and symbolized by the sacred ash worn by Saivites, which he created from the ashes of the demons’ city.
Historically, Pallava King Mahendravarman I converted to Saivism under Appar's influence, destroying a Jain monastery to build Gunavareswaram Temple nearby. The temple expanded over time, notably with Raja Raja Chola I, who studied its architecture before constructing Brihadeeswarar Temple. The temple’s seven-acre complex features a seven-tiered gopuram adorned with 108 Bharatanatyam poses, a spacious mandapam, shrines of prominent deities, and intricate architecture that reflects its rich heritage and sacred legacy.