Padaleshwarar Temple is situated in Thiruppadirippuliyur, Cuddalore. This temple is dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Shiva, Padaleshwarar. Thirupathiripuliyur in Cuddalore district is one of the ancient saivite shrines in Tamil nadu sanctified by the visit of two of the four chief nayanmars viz. THIRUNAVUKKARASAR and THIRUGNANASAMBANDHAR. The former part of the name of this sacred place indicates the sthalaviruksha PATHIRI TREE and the latter PULIYUR indicates the tiger legged saint who made penance in this place.
The Presiding Deity Lord Pataleeswarar is also known as THONDRA THUNAI NADHAR and the Goddess is named PERIYANAYAKI Amman. This is one of the most important temples in Cuddalore. This is an ancient and beautiful temple.
It is believed that Goddess Uma reached Tiruppathiripuliyur after worship of 1008 Shiva sthalams. She worshipped Lord Padaleeshwarar installed under a Padiri tree. After years of penance, Lord Shiva appeared and he united with the Goddess under the sacred Padiri tree, which is now the sthalavriksha of the temple.The tree is associated with the Ekapatala, sister of Goddess Uma who took only one Patala leaf for food.
This shrine is a very ancient one held in high veneration by the saivites. According to the inscriptions found in the temple and rendered in modern Tamil by the Department of Archeology, the history of this temple could be traced to the periods of paranthaga Chola, First Rajarajan, First Rajendren, First Kulothungan, Vikrama Chola and also by the kings of Pallava and Pandiya dynasties who had performed renovation works from time to time in this temple and also made grants and gifts for the upkeep of this temple.
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