Shivalokanathar temple, Tirupunkur
Location
Tirupunkur
Deity
Shivalokanathar
Female Deity
Soundara-Nayaki, Sokka-Nayaki
Pathikam
Sundarar - 1, Sambandar - 1, Tirunavukarasar - 1
Gallery – Shivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur
How to Reach
Tirupunkur is located very close to Vaitheeswaran Koil, on the route towards Thiruppanandal..
Temple Address
Tirupunkur
Tirupunkur Post
Sirkazhi Taluk
Mayiladuthurai District
PIN 609112
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 – 1:00
Evening: 3:00 – 7:00
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Vaitheeswara Kovil – 4 Kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Karu-Pariyalur – 6.2 Kms | |
| 3 | Tiru-Vaaloli-Puthur – 8.4 Kms | |
| 4 | Tirumannippadikkarai – 10.8 Kms |
Location Map
Temple Overview
Entrance & Rajagopuram
The sacred Shiva temple at Tirupunkur is revered as one of the celebrated Paadal Petra temples, glorified in the devotional hymns of the three great Saivite saints — Tirugnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, and Sundarar. A majestic five-tiered Rajagopuram rises gracefully at the entrance, welcoming devotees into the temple’s expansive and serene courtyard.
Sannidhis in the Outer Prakaram
The outer prakaram enshrines the sannidhis of Vinayaka and Subramanya, along with the sacred Sthala Vruksham — the Indian Beech tree (Pungai) — and the revered Brahma Linga. Proceeding further past the dwajasthambam and the slightly shifted Nandi, devotees are greeted by the inner gateway crowned with the auspicious images of the Pancha Murthys.
Inner Prakaram & Sanctum
Entering the inner prakaram, devotees encounter a series of sacred sannidhis dedicated to Surya, Kalikkamar, the four principal Nayanmars, and Sundara Vinayaka. This is followed by the highly revered and auspicious Somaskandar idol. The prakaram further houses the Lingas worshipped by Surya and Agni, the sannidhi of Arumukha, and the Linga Banas known as Tathpurusha, Aghora, Vamadeva, and Sathyojatha, alongside the shrine of Gajalakshmi. On the left side is the sannidhi of Goddess Sokka Nayaki, surrounded by a separate pathway provided for pradakshina.
Presiding Deity & Goshta Murthas
Completing the circumambulation of the inner prakaram, devotees come across the sannidhis of the Navagrahas, Bhairavar, and Chandra before reaching the sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity — a sacred Swayambhu Linga formed of clay and reverentially protected beneath a pot covering. The Goshta murthys adorning the sanctum walls include Narthana Vinayaka, Bikshadanar, Agasthya, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Durga, Ardhanareeshwarar, and Bhairava.
Significance & Sthala Purana
Nandanar & the Moving Nandi
Tirupunkur derives its name from the temple’s sacred Sthala Vruksham — the Pungai tree, also known as the Indian Beech tree. The temple’s Sthala Purana is deeply associated with the moving story of Nandanar, the revered Nayanar saint born into poverty and celebrated for his unwavering devotion to God Shiva. Owing to the social restrictions of his time, Nandanar was not permitted to enter the temple and would instead stand outside the premises, singing the praises of God Shiva with heartfelt devotion. Despite these obstacles, he nurtured an intense longing to have darshan of the deity at the sacred Shivalokanathar Temple.
As Nandanar stood outside the temple immersed in devotion, the massive stone Nandi — the sacred bull mount of Shiva — obstructed his view of the sanctum. Moved by the sincerity of his devotee, Lord Shiva compassionately commanded Nandi to shift slightly to one side. Obeying the divine command, Nandi moved aside, enabling Nandanar to behold the presiding deity clearly and receive the long-awaited darshan.
Sundarar & the Miracle of Rain
The revered Nayanar Sundarar, along with his companion Kalikkamba Nayanar, once undertook a pilgrimage to Tirupunkur during a period of severe drought and distress. The entire region had long been suffering from the failure of rains, leading to widespread hardship among the people. In this context, Sundarar approached the ruling king and suggested that if the monarch were to donate 12 veli (a traditional land measure, where 1 veli is approximately 6.43 acres) to the temple, divine grace would ensure the return of life-sustaining rains, restoring prosperity to the land.
The king readily agreed to Sundarar’s proposal. Sundarar then composed and sang a pathikam invoking divine grace. As his devotional hymns resonated through the air, the skies darkened and life-giving rains began to pour, bringing much-needed relief to the parched land. However, the rainfall soon became excessive, threatening to flood the region. Once again, Sundarar approached the king and requested an additional 12 veli of land. Upon the king’s consent, the rains gradually subsided, restoring balance and harmony to the land. In total, the 24 veli of land obtained through Sundarar’s divine intercession were formally dedicated to the temple at Tirupunkur.
More Photos – Shivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur
