Arulmigu Sendhurai Thandeswarar Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:30 – 20:00

Established

11

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Ancient polished stone Shiva Lingam inside inner sanctum with reddish-brown natural tint (Sivanthandeeswarar)

Religious tradition

Agamic Shaiva Tradition

Sanskrit name

श्री सेन्तुरै तण्डीश्वर मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Sendurai Shiva Temple, Sivanthandeeswarar Gudi, Sendurai Shivalaya

Darshan hours

Daily

06:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Break timings

12:00 PM - 04:30 PM

Special days

Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham: 05:00 AM - 09:30 PM

Festival timings

Open till 09:30 PM on Maha Shivaratri

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:30 AM

Midday aarti

11:45 AM

Evening aarti

06:30 PM

Night aarti

07:45 PM

Special aarti days

Mondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri

Ritual schedule

Nitya Pooja, Rudrabhisheka, Archana, Sandhya Deeparadhana by local hereditary archaka

Pooja timings

07:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 05:00 PM - 07:45 PM

Abhishek timings

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

Yes

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Later Cholas; patronized by local palayakarars (chieftains)

Architect / builder

Traditional Tamil stone sthapathis

Construction materials

Solid dressed dark granite, brick-lime vimana, and mortar gopuram

Historical events

Sendurai served as an important fortified frontier post and agricultural junction under the medieval Chola administration

Renovations

Renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department and local town development samithi

Archaeological importance

Heritage temple serving as the historical civic core of Sendurai taluk

Legends

Traditional belief: Lord Shiva manifested here with a radiant reddish hue (Sivantha) to bless ascetics meditating in the Sendurai forests

Inscriptions

Stone records of land grants and perpetual lamp donations found on the plinth

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

12th - 15th Century CE

Structure

Traditional urban-rural walled stone temple complex with entrance gopuram, mukhamandapa, and separate Ambal shrine

Floors

1

Gopuram

Three-tiered entrance gopuram embellished with stucco sculptures of Shaivite puranic themes

Mandapa

Pillared Navaranga hall with square granite pillars bearing relief carvings

Sculptural features

Ancient stone Shiva Lingam; carved stone Nandi facing sanctum; graceful stone Dakshinamurti and Murugan

Artistic elements

Traditional floral relief work on stone lintels, makara toranas, and brass lamps

Construction technique

Dry-stone granite block masonry with mortar superstructure

Unique features

The reddish hue (Sivantha) of the granite Lingam, believed to represent the fiery radiance of Shiva

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Shivaratri)

Special celebration days

Every Monday, Pradosham

Cultural events

Devotional bhajans and classical music during Shivaratri

Annual events

Maha Shivaratri celebrations and annual car festival

Peak crowd season

October to February

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

100+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Laddu; Pulihora