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 The number of ancient temples in Tamil Nadu is simply amazing. If one cares to take a survey of the number of temples that are more than 300 or 400 years old, in and around the city of Chennai, one would be dumbfounded by the staggering number of such temples. Our people do not know the value of such an ancient treasure house that has withstood the vagaries of nature for such a long period of time, the engineering genius that produced such a structure, the architectural excellence that helped create such a marvel, the sculpture carved on stone that has been given to us as a leaf from the life of our ancestors. And, lo! Most of such temples are not maintained properly, allowed to deteriorate and go waste by ignorance of those in seats of power and responsibility, public apathy, and a callous attitude that can bear to see a piece of our rich heritage turning into desolate ruin right within our sight. When people all over the world take pride in structures that are old not more than 200 or 300 years, it is agonising to see our people adopting a nonchalant attitude to these structures older than 1000 years, which proclaim our heritage as well as technical supremacy.
 Thirupasur is one such rich shrine that has come to us from a very distant past. Built by Karikal Cholan, it is on the Thiruthani National Highway, about 60 km. away from the city, to the east of Thiruvalankadu and west of Thiruvallore Veeraraghava Swamy temple. We have the Sathiamurthy Saagaram on the north and the grand old shrine of Thiruvooral or Thakkolam on the Southeast.
Considered to be16th out of the 32 shrines sung by the savants of Saivism, Thiruppaasur has the special distinction of having been sung by Thirunavukarasar and Thirugnanasambandhar. The presiding deity, Shiva, is known as
Paasur Nadhan, Vaseeswarar
and Vey-eendra-nadhar.
According to the legend, there was a thick growth of bamboo in this place. The presiding deity of the temple of Thiruppaasur, a Swayambu Lingam, was covered by the wild growth. They were startled when their
'vaasi' accidentally hit upon the deity. Their instrument had already caused deep cut-marks on the idol. They rushed to king Karikalan and he constructed a temple for the Lord and consecrated the deity.
'paasu' is another name for bamboo and the shrine is therefore known as
Thiru-paasu-oor. The holy shrine of bamboo.
'vEy' is another name for bamboo. Since the deity was a Swayambu that appeared amidst bamboos, the Lord is known as
vey-eendra-naadhar. The Lord born of bamboos.
 Another legend has it that Karikalan, who ruled a vast territory and had a large army, could not withstand the attack of a very minor chieftain. Going into the reason, Karikalan understood that the chieftain was under divine protection of Kali. A devotee of Lord Shiva, Karikalan worshipped the Lord, who sent Veerabadhra along with him. Veerabadhra shackled Kali, thus enabling Karikalan to win the war. There is a deity of the shackled Kali in Thiruppaasur, known as Swarna Kali, in the outer corridor. The statue of Swarna Kali Amman was damaged by the passage of time and another idol was consecrated in June 1986.
The Consort of the presiding deity is known as Thankaadhali. It is believed that Devi herself worships Her Lord every morning. The Lord, who was charmed by her beauty, addressed her as
'than kaadhali!' (My darling) and hence the name.
There is a garden on the western side of the temple, a 'hundred-pillared' hall on the northeastern corner, in a dilapidated condition. On the southeastern side there is a hall supported by four pillars and a 'yaga-sala'. Adi Sankara established the Sri Chakra in front of the presiding deity, which is worshipped with all reverence. The temple includes a 'Vinyaka-sabha' with a 'Valampuri Vinayaka' as the main deity and ten other idols of Ganesha of varying sizes.
 Though the temple was long relegated owing to negligence, it is heartening and indeed amazing to know that it is regaining its old glory due to the efforts of
Tiripura
Maami, an aged and withered woman of 80 years, who lives in Mandavelli and has made it a mission of her life, despite her advanced age, to dedicate her earnings to the temple and has been channelising public support in renovating the temple. Due to her incessant efforts and the support of the administration of the Tiruthani Devasthanam, under whose management the temple is now functioning, Thiruppaasur temple is now able to perform regular as well as
Pradhosha pooja. She has made a contribution of Rs.40,000/- so far from her earnings to the temple. A very large sum indeed for her stature and the size of her earnings. She has a dream of making another contribution of Rs.60,000/- to the temple, so that her individual contribution would touch Rs.1,00,000/- A noble soul, a noble cause and a noble dream indeed.
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