Nattrunaiappar temple, TiruNanipalli
Location
Tirunanipalli (better known as Punjai)
Deity
Nattrunaiappar
Female Deity
Malayaan Madanthai
Pathikam
Tirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1, Sundarar - 1
Gallery - Nattrunaiappar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is situated approximately 4 km from Semponaar Kovil and about 13 km from Mayiladuthurai.
Temple Address
Punjai (Thirunanipalli)
Kidarankondan Post
Mayiladuthurai Taluk
Mayiladuthurai District
PIN – 609304
Temple Hours
Morning : 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening : 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Temple History and Legend
Birthplace of Sambandar's Mother
TiruNaniPalli is revered as the birthplace of Bhagavathi Ammai, the mother of Saint Thiru Gnana Sambandar. After hearing of the extraordinary divine grace bestowed upon the child at the age of three—when Goddess Parvathi fed him the Milk of Wisdom and later blessed him with the golden cymbals (Potraalam)—the people of the village eagerly longed to welcome the young saint to his maternal birthplace.
Sambandar's Journey
Honouring the villagers' heartfelt request, Sambandar set out on foot towards TiruNaniPalli. Though his tender feet ached from the journey, he continued without hesitation. Seeing his young son's discomfort, his father, Shivapada Hridayar, lovingly carried him on his shoulders. As they neared the temple, his father pointed out the temple, whereupon Sambandar began singing the celebrated pathigam commencing with the words, "Kaaraigal Koogai Mullai…," and continued his hymn of praise as they entered the temple.
From Barren to Fertile Land
According to temple tradition, the divine hymn sung by Thiru Gnana Sambandar transformed the barren lands of TiruNaniPalli into fertile fields, fulfilling the earnest prayers of the local people. In the concluding verse of the pathigam, the saint himself records that he was carried on his father Shivapada Hridayar's shoulders when he arrived at this place. TiruNaniPalli is further distinguished as one of the few temples glorified in the Thevaram hymns of all three great Saiva saints—Thiru Gnana Sambandar, Tirunavukkarasar (Appar), and Sundarar.
Temple Structure
Main Entrance
The temple does not have a towering Rajagopuram but is entered through a simple gateway. Above the entrance are beautiful stucco sculptures depicting Shiva and Parvathi seated on the sacred bull (Rishaba Vahana), along with Vinayaka on His mount, Mooshika, and Muruga on His peacock, all bestowing their divine blessings upon devotees as they enter the temple.
Natrunai Appar
The presiding deity, Natrunai Appar, manifests as a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Lingam and is enshrined in the east-facing sanctum, blessing devotees with His divine grace.
Goshta Murthas
The Goshta niches surrounding the sanctum enshrine Sage Agasthya, Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Lingodbhava, and Goddess Durga, all of which are admired for their exquisite artistry and craftsmanship.
Kalyana Sundareswarar
This sacred temple is one of the places where Shiva revealed His divine wedding form (Thirumana Kolam) to Vinayaka and Sage Agasthya. In remembrance of this sacred event, a separate sannidhi for Kalyana Sundareswarar has been established within the temple.
During the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati at Mount Kailash, the presence of countless gods and sages gathered in the north caused the earth to tilt slightly. To restore balance, Shiva asked the revered sage Agastya to travel to the southern regions. Agastya felt sorrowful at leaving, as he wished to witness the divine marriage. Understanding the sage’s devotion, Shiva granted him a boon that he would be able to behold the sacred wedding from wherever he was and whenever he desired.
Places visited by Sage Agasthya in his journey to south -
- Tiru-Kodunkundram
- Kutralam
- Tiru-Panankattur
- Tiru-Kallil
- Tiru-Votriyur
- Tiru-Verkaadu
- Tiru-Vaanmiyur
- Achirupakkam.
- Tiru-Nallur
- Tiru-Nani-Palli
- Tiru-Aakkur
The Consorts
To the right of the presiding deity are the two divine forms of the Goddess, Parvatharaja Putri and Malayan Madanthai. Also enshrined within the Moolasthana is Kalyana Sundareswarar, who appears in His sacred Thirumana Kolam (divine wedding form), commemorating the celestial marriage of Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.
Other Sannidhis
The inner prakaram houses separate sannidhis for the Nalvar (the four great Saiva saints), Vinayaka, and Surya. The Maha Mandapam enshrines the Sabha of Lord Nataraja, while another architectural highlight of the temple is the beautifully designed Nanipalli Kodi Vatta Mandapam, renowned for its distinctive craftsmanship.
Special Worship and Beliefs
Each year, from the 7th to the 13th day of the Tamil month of Chithirai, the rays of the rising Sun fall directly upon the Shiva Lingam, creating a remarkable and auspicious spectacle. Devotees who worship Kalyana Sundareswarar are believed to receive His blessings for the early removal of obstacles to marriage and the fulfillment of suitable matrimonial alliances. Worship of Natrunai Appar is also traditionally believed to bestow prosperity and divine grace, while blessing children with success in their education and academic pursuits.
Gallery - Nattrunaiappar Temple
