Temple Legend - The Devas (Celestial Gods), who attended the 'Yajna' conducted by King Daksha, insulting God Shiva, incurred His wrath. Shiva deployed AkoraVeeraBhadra to the Yajnashala in order to rebuke the participants for their disrespectful behavior. Among those who faced the repercussions was Surya, the planetary god associated with the Sun, who experienced a loss of his radiance and brightness. Recognizing his mistake, Surya sought to make amends by worshipping Shiva in order to regain his life-giving form. One of the places where Surya worshipped Shiva to seek forgiveness and restoration of his divine radiance is Puravar Panankaattur. Every year, during the first seven days of the Tamil month 'Chithirai', the sun's rays first fall on the main deity and then on Goddess Sathyambika, signifying the act of sun's worship and penance.
Temple Layout - A modest 4-tiered gopuram greets us as we approach this shiva temple. As we enter, we see the tall dwajasthambam, balipeetam and nandi in ther outer prakaram which also accommodates sannidhis for Vinayaka and Arumukha, along with three palm trees and Navagrahas. Another entrance from the outer prakaram leads to the sannidhi of the main deity Panankatteesar. The inner prakaram surrounding the sanctum also contains sannidhis for various deities such as Vinayaka, 63 Nayanmars, Saptamathas, Rishabharuda, Mahavishnu, Gajalakshmi, the four nayanmars, Bikshadanar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Lingodhbavar, Durga, Chandikeswara, Nataraja, and Somaskandaa. Apart from these a depiction of Thiruneelakandar(a Nayanar) with a stick, hands in 'pranama mudra' alongside his wife is noteworthy.
The sannidhi of the female deity Sathyambikai is to the left of the presiding deity. A pair of beautifully sculpted 'Dwarapalakiyas' stand as sentries. Sathyambikai is in a standing posture facing east.
Panayapuram or puravar panankaattur is one of the five temples where the 'sthala vruksham' is a palm tree. The other four are (1) Tirupananthal, (2) Tirupanayur, (3) Tiruvanpaarthan Panankaattur (Tirupanankaadu), (4) Tiruvothur.
The pathikam composed by Thirugnana Sambandar is in the 2nd tirumurai.
Few years ago, the department of highways, for the expansion of NH45C, wanted to acquire certain portions of this ancient temple. However, the local community, along with the media, voiced their concerns and sought assistance. In response to the public outcry, the District Collector and the District Land Acquisition Officer proposed an alternative route. Consequently, the highways department opted to construct a road adjacent to the temple wall, avoiding the need to demolish any part of the temple area.
Temple Tower
Brahma
Shivasooriyanar
Dakshinamurthy
Thiruneelakandar and his wife
Arumugar
Sathyambikai temple