Pazhampathinathar Temple, Tiru-Punavayil
Location: Tiru-Punavayil
Deity known as: Pazhampathinathar, Viruthapureeswarar
Female Deity: Karunai Nayaki
Pathikam: Sambandar - 1, Sundarar - 1
Gallery - Pazhampathinathar Temple
How to Reach
This shiva temple is located about 25 km south of Avudaiyarkoil. It can also be reached from Tiruvadanai. The temple is situated along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
Bus Routes:
From Tiruchirappalli: via Pudukottai, Arantangi, and Avudaiyar Kovil.
From Madurai: via Sivagangai, Kalayarkovil, and Tiruvadanai.
Important Travel Tips:
- Bus services from Tiruppunavasal are limited to once per hour
- Auto-rickshaw services are scarce
- No dining facilities available in the area
- Advance planning is essential
To reach Tiruvadanai from Tiruppunavasal: Take an auto-rickshaw to the nearby village of Vellaiyapuram, then board bus number 10 from Oriyur/Pandukudi to reach Tiruvadanai.
Nearby Temple: Tiruvadanai (another Paadal Petra Sthalam in Pandya Naadu) - 21 km
Travel Advisory
Visitors planning to cover both Tiruvadanai and Tiruppunavasal are advised to visit the Pazhampathinathar Temple at Tiruppunavasal first and then proceed to the Adiratineswarar Temple, as the Tiruppunavasal temple is located in a small village with limited visitor traffic and tends to close earlier than usual. Any puja materials, such as flowers, may be purchased en route, as there are no shops near the temple.
Temple Address
Tiruppunavasal Post
Avudaiyarkoil Taluk
Pudukkottai District
PIN - 614629
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Evening: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Map of Pazhampathinathar Temple, Tiru-Punavayil
Temple History and Significance
The Largest Aavudayar
The Vridhapureeswarar Temple at Thirupunavasal in the Pudukkottai district is renowned for its unique Shiva Linga and Aavudayar (the pedestal on which the Linga rests), which are said to have the largest circumference in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that King Raja Raja Chola was inspired to construct the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur after visiting this shrine.
Brahma's Worship
Brahma is said to have lost his creative powers due to his inability to comprehend the true meaning of the pranava mantra ‘Om’. Following Parvathi’s advice, he installed and worshipped a Shiva Linga to regain his powers.
Brahma Theertham
To perform the ritual of Abishekam (anointing), Brahma created a waterbody that later came to be known as Brahma Theertham. As Brahma is four-faced, the Shiva Linga he consecrated also bore four faces and came to be known as the Chatur-Mukha Lingam. This Linga is said to have existed until the reign of King Sundara Pandiya II.
Sundara Pandiya's Contribution
King Sundara Pandiya II combined the architectural styles of both the Chola and Pandiya dynasties to construct a grand temple featuring a majestic Rajagopuram and Vimanam. He consecrated the present Shiva Linga, which is of immense size and impressive proportions.
Name Origin
The presiding deity is known as Vruddhapureeswarar or Pazhampathinathar—both meaning ‘ancient’—in reference to the antiquity of the shrine and its association with Brahma’s worship at this sacred site.
Since Brahma himself worshipped here, this is regarded as one of the most ancient sacred sites. Sundarar refers to this shrine as ‘Pazhampathi’ (ancient place) in his hymn.
Temple Architecture
Rajagopuram and Outer Features
The temple features an impressive east-facing rajagopuram rising to a height of about 65 feet. The Brahma Theertham is situated adjacent to the temple. Flanking the main gateway are two sannidhis—one dedicated to Dandapaani and the other to Vallabha Ganapathy.
Entry Through Gateway
As we enter the prakaram through the gateway, we find west-facing sannidhis for Surya (the planetary deity for the Sun) and Bhairavar on the right, and a sannidhi for Chandra (the planetary deity for the Moon) on the left.
Main Sanctum
Passing through the Sabha Mandap, Maha Mandap, and Artha Mandap, we reach the east-facing sanctum of the presiding deity, Vruddhapureeswarar.
Magnificent Proportions
Both the Aavudayar (the circular pedestal on which the Linga is placed) and the Nandi are of remarkable size. This is considered the second largest Linga in Tamil Nadu, after the one at the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur. The deity requires three cubits of cloth, while the Aavudayar requires thirty cubits.
14 Shiva Lingams
There are 14 other Shiva Lingams within the temple, each representing one of the 14 Paadal Petra Shivasthalams in Pandya Naadu. Hence, a visit to Tirupunavasal is considered equivalent to visiting all 14 of them.
Legends and Beliefs
Beyond Yama's Reach
According to legend, Yama (the God of Death) and his messengers cannot enter within a 7-mile radius of Tirupunavasal. This sacred boundary is believed to protect all who reside within it.
Divine Worshippers
Mahavishnu, Brahma, Indra, Surya, Chandra, Yama Dharma, and the sages Vasishtar and Agasthiyar are all said to have worshipped the presiding deity at this sacred site.
Temple Sannidhis
Prakaram Sannidhis
The prakaram surrounding the sanctum contains sannidhis for Pancha Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Sthala Vinayaka, Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Brahma, Chandikeswarar, and Gajalakshmi.
Unique Feature
In place of the usual Lingothbhava sculpture found on the rear wall of the sanctum, this temple features statues of Mahavishnu and Hanuman.
Goddess Karunai Nayaki
The east-facing sannidhi of the female deity Karunai Nayaki is located to the left of the presiding deity’s sanctum. In a cavern-like chamber opposite her sannidhi is the shrine of Kali. Within this chamber, Kali’s fierce form can be seen reflected through a mirror.
Four Yugas - Four Sthala Vrukshas
Tiruppunavasal is believed to have existed across all four Yugas, being known by different names in each era. Accordingly, the temple premises contain four sthala vrukshas (sacred trees).
| Yuga | Place Name | Sthala Vruksham |
|---|---|---|
| Kruthayuga | Vajravanam / Indirapura | Chatura Kalli (Cactus) |
| Threthayuga | Brahmapura | Kurunda (Wild Orange) |
| Dwaparayuga | Vrudhakasi | Magizha (Intermedlar Tree) |
| Kaliyuga | Pazhampathi | Punnai (Mastwood) |
The four sacred Vedas are said to have worshipped the deity here, and the four sacred trees are believed to symbolize the four Vedas. This temple thus holds the unique distinction of being revered by all four Vedas.
Special Significance
A disregarded variety of cactus known as 'chatura kalli' was the 'sthala vruksham' in Kruthayuga, indicating that in the eyes of God every being is equal, even those rejected by others.
Sacred Water Bodies (Theerthams)
There are 10 sacred water bodies (theerthams) associated with this temple:
- Lakshmi Theertham
- Brahma Theertham
- Indra Theertham
- Chakra Theertham
- Surya Theertham
- Chandra Theertham
- Sivaganga Theertham
- Kalyana Theertham
- Varuna Theertham
- Bambaru (river flowing south of temple)
More Photos - Pazhampathinathar Temple
