Sri Dhaathreeswarar Temple (Sitharkadu Sivan Temple)

Sitharkadu Sri Dhaathreeswarar Temple is a sacred Shiva temple located at Thirumanam Village near Poonamallee and Pattabiram in present-day Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. The temple is traditionally celebrated as the Swathi Nakshatra Parihara Sthalam, and devotees born under Swathi Nakshatra visit this ancient shrine for spiritual strength, removal of obstacles and the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Poonkuzhali.

The presiding deity is Sri Dhaathreeswarar, also known as Nelliappar, and the Goddess is Sri Poonkuzhali Amman. The name Dhaathreeswarar is closely connected with the sacred Nelli tree. In Sanskrit, the Nelli or Amla fruit is called Dhatri. Since the Shiva Lingam was worshipped beneath a Nelli tree by Siddhars, the Lord came to be known as Dhaathreeswarar.

The temple has a particularly beautiful connection with the Siddhar tradition. Padukkai Jadamudi Siddhar and Prana Deepika Siddhar performed tapas here and worshipped Shiva. Their presence gives the temple a distinctive atmosphere of meditation, spiritual discipline and Siddha tradition.

Sitharkadu is also associated with a nearby temple dedicated to Sri Sundararaja Perumal. Thus, the sacred area has both Shiva and Vishnu temples, and traditional Swathi worship at Sitharkadu emphasizes the combined spiritual significance of Shiva and Vishnu.

For devotees born under Swathi Nakshatra, visiting this temple on their Janma Nakshatra day, especially when Swathi falls on a favourable day for temple worship, is considered particularly auspicious.

For a general pilgrimage, Margazhi, Karthigai and Panguni are particularly attractive because of the special Shiva and Nataraja worship associated with these periods.

For Swathi Nakshatra Pariharam, however, the most important factor is not the month but the Swathi Nakshatra day.

Therefore:

• Best for Swathi Pariharam: Swathi Nakshatra day
• Best for Shiva worship: Margazhi / Karthigai
• Best for Nataraja worship: Thiruvathirai in Margazhi
• Best for Murugan worship: Karthigai, Thai Krittika and Thaipusam
• Best for marriage prayer: Thiruvathirai and Swathi Nakshatra days

In Vedic astrology, the Swathi Nakshatra represents a unique combination of the grace of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Astrologically, Swathi is considered a powerful and highly independent star. Sitharkadu perfectly manifests this duality; it possesses the profound Shiva energies generated by Siddhar meditation, complemented by the presence of a powerful Sundararaja Perumal Temple right nearby. It is believed that Siddhars continue to meditate here invisibly, radiating energies that effortlessly remove karmic doshas and delays associated with the Swathi star.

Who should worship

1. Individuals born under the Swathi Nakshatram.
2. People facing unexplained or continuous delays in getting married.
3. Those seeking relief from heart-related ailments and chest pain, as spiritual vibrations here are said to bring healing.
4. People desiring a long, healthy life (seeking the longevity blessings of the Siddhars).

For Swathi Nakshatram: Swathi starrers visit this temple and perform Abhishekam to Lord Dhaathreeswarar using Amla (Gooseberry) powder, pure Amla juice, and milk.

For Marriage Delays: Unmarried individuals offer a green-colored saree, green bangles, and light ghee lamps to Goddess Poonkuzhali.

Annadhanam (Food Offering): Devotees offer curd rice with gooseberry pickle and tamarind rice to Lord Kubera, and distribute it to the poor for lifelong financial prosperity.

Upon entry, notice that the sacred Nandi does not have a nose rope (mookanaangayiru); it signifies absolute peace and serenity in the presence of the Lord. Worship Sri Dhaathreeswarar in the main sanctum, then Goddess Poonkuzhali. Pay close attention to the temple pillars, which feature exquisite carvings of Padukkai Jadamudi Siddhar and Prana Deepika Siddhar. Pray to them for longevity. Note that there is no separate Navagraha shrine here, as the Lord Himself governs all planetary aspects.

Sitharkadu is a calm, slightly secluded village layout. If you intend to perform the specific Swathi parihara, purchase the Amla (Gooseberry) powder, Amla juice, green bangles, and the green saree in Chennai city or Poonamallee town itself, as local village shops might not have these specific items readily available.

Several traditional rituals are associated with Sitharkadu Dhaathreeswarar Temple.

Swathi Nakshatra Worship

The most important special worship is performed for devotees born under Swathi Nakshatra. Archana, Abhishekam and deepa worship may be performed according to the temple's customary procedures.

Nelli Abhishekam

Nelli has a direct connection with the temple's Sthala Puranam. Traditional worship therefore includes Nelli juice, Nelli powder, Milk. These are used for Abhishekam according to the temple's practice.

Poonkuzhali Amman Worship

For devotees praying for marriage Green vastram, Bangles, Ghee lamp, Archana

are traditionally offered to the Goddess.

27 Nakshatra Deepam

One of the distinctive traditions of the temple is the lighting of 27 ghee lamps representing the 27 Nakshatras in the Shiva shrine, especially on Karthigai Deepam.

Murugan Abhishekam

Special Abhishekam is associated with Lord Murugan on Karthigai, Aadi Krittika, Thai Krittika, Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram

Nataraja–Sivakami Thirukalyanam

On Thiruvathirai, the temple celebrates the divine marriage of Nataraja and Sivakami Amman. Devotees seeking marriage blessings traditionally participate in this worship.

The temple grandly celebrates Karthigai Deepam, Thai Poosam, Panguni Uthiram, Aadi Krithigai, and the Thiruvadhirai festival, drawing large numbers of devotees seeking Siddhar blessings.

By Road: Sitharkadu (Thirumanam Village) is located near Poonamallee and Pattabiram. From Chennai, you can travel towards Poonamallee, take the Pattabiram road, and route through Vayanallur to reach Sitharkadu. It is roughly 25-30 km from Central Chennai.

By Train: Pattabiram Railway Station (on the Chennai suburban line) is the nearest station. From there, you can take an auto-rickshaw (approx. 5-7 km).

By Air: Chennai International Airport is the nearest.