Pālaivananathar temple, TiruPālaithurai
Location: Tiru-Pālaithurai
Deity known as: Pālaivananathar
Female Deity: Dhavala Vennagaiammai, Dhavalambikai
Pathikam: TiruNavukkarasar - 1
Gallery - PÄlaivananathar Temple
How to reach
This shiva temple is located 2 km beyond Papanasam on the Thanjavur—Kumbakonam National Highway (NH 45C). The temple stands right beside the road. Bus facilities are available from both Thanjavur and Kumbakonam to Papanasam.
Temple Address
TiruPalaithurai
Papanasam Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN - 614205
Temple hours
Morning: 9:00 - 12:00
Evening: 5:30 - 8:00
Pooja Time
Kaala Sandhi 9:00 - 9:30
Uchchi Kaalam 12:00 - 12:30
Sayarakshai 6:00 - 6:30
Artha Jaamam 8:00 - 8:30
📢 Notice: All information and photographs have been updated following our visit to the temple in October 2025.
Near by Temples
| 1 | Tiru-Chakkara-Palli - 10 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-karukavur - 8 kms | |
| 3 | Tiru-Nallur - 4 kms | |
| 4 | Avur Pasupatheeswaram - 10 kms |
Temple Significance
At Tharukavanam, the sages, disregarding the God Shiva Himself and even attempting to destroy Him, performed an evil sacrificial ritual and summoned a tiger. When they set it upon the Diety, He flayed the tiger and wore its skin around His waist as a garment. Thiruppalathurai is celebrated as the sacred place where this divine act took place. The temple also holds the distinction of being worshipped by Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Gowmiyar, and Arjuna.
Temple Architecture
Towers
This east-facing temple features a five-tiered Rajagopuram that stands without sculptures. Its base is constructed of black stone, while the upper tiers are built of brick. Upon entering the temple, one can see the Kodimaram (flagstaff), Balipeetam, and the Nandi Mandapam. The inner Gopuram rises gracefully with three tiers.
Granary
On the right side of the outer prakaram stands a large brick-built granary, 36 feet in height and built during 1600 to 1634, circular in shape and topped with a dome. It was once capable of storing nearly 3,000 'kalam' (280—300 tons) of paddy, reflecting the temple's abundant agricultural revenue in earlier times. Today, however, it remains unused.
Goddess sanctum
From the entrance, a path to the left leads to the sannidhi of the female deity. Here, Goddess Dhawalambika resides in her sanctum, depicted in a graceful standing posture. This separate shrine is located to the right of the temple's main structure.
Other Deities
Within the spacious prakaram surrounding the sanctum, one can find the sannidhis of Vinayaka, Somaskanda, Subramanya, the Lingams worshipped by Sage Vasishta, Mahalakshmi, and the royal devotees King Parthiban and King Malayadhvajan. The idols of the 63 Nayanmars are also enshrined here, along with a Nataraja Sabha. Additionally, there are sannidhis for Kala Bhairava and Surya.
Presiding Deity
The sanctum of the main deity faces east. The Goshta Murthas adorning the walls include Vinayaka, Urdhva Thandava, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Lingothbhava, Ardhanariswara, and Goddess Durga. There is also a separate sannidhi for Chandikeswarar.
Auspicious for Marriages
Since the Goddess's sanctum is located to the right of the main shrine, this temple is regarded as highly auspicious for marriages. Local devotees often choose this sacred place to perform engagement and wedding ceremonies.
Pathikam
The pathikam composed by TiruNÄvukkarasar for Tiru-PÄlaithurai is in 5'th tirumurai.
Gallery
