Nattrunaiappar temple, TiruNanipalli

Location: Tirunanipalli (better known as Punjai)

Deity known as: Nattrunaiappar

Female Deity: Malayaan Madanthai

Pathikam: Tirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1, Sundarar - 1

Gallery - Nattrunaiappar Temple

Temple Entrance

Nattrunaiappar Sannidhi

Goddess Parvatharajputhiri

How to Reach

This Shiva temple is situated approximately 4 km from Semponaar Kovil and about 13 km from Mayiladuthurai.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Nattrunaiappar Temple
TiruNanipalli (Punjai)
Mayiladuthurai District
Tamil Nadu

Temple Hours

Morning: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Nearby Paadal Petra Sivasthalams

1	Mayiladuthurai - 13 kms
2	Tiruvilanagar - 7.5 kms
3	Tirupariyalur (Parasalur) - 7 kms
4	Tiruchemponpalli - 5 kms
5	Tiru-Valampuram - 8.6 kms
6	Tiru-Thalaichankadu - 7 kms
7	Tiru-Akkur - 9.6 kms
8	Vaitheeswara Kovil - 14.1 kms
9	Kurumaanakkudi - 9.8 kms

Temple History and Legend

Birthplace of Sambandar's Mother

TiruNaniPalli is revered as the birthplace of Bhagavathi Ammai, the mother of Tiru-Gyana-Sambandhar. The villagers, having heard of the divine grace bestowed upon the child at the age of three—when Goddess Parvathy granted him the milk of wisdom and subsequently the golden plate (potraalam)—longed for him to visit his maternal home.

Sambandar's Journey

Accepting their request, Sambandar set out on foot towards TiruNaniPalli, undeterred by the pain in his tender feet. Moved by his son's discomfort, his father, Shivapada Hridayar, lifted him onto his shoulders. As they approached the temple, the father pointed it out, and Sambandar began to sing a pathikam, starting with the verse "Kaaraiyai Koogai Mullai…," continuing the praise of the deity as they entered the temple.

From Barren to Fertile Land

Tradition holds that this very hymn transformed the arid land of TiruNaniPalli into fertile fields, fulfilling the heartfelt prayers of its people. In the final stanza of the pathikam, Sambandar himself records that he was carried on his father's shoulders when he reached the place.

Unique Distinction

TiruNanipalli is one of the temples praised in hymns by all three Saiva saints—Tiru-Gyana-Sambandhar, Tirunavukkarasar, and Sundarar.

Temple Structure

Main Entrance

The temple does not have a towering rajagopuram; instead, it features a single entrance.Above the gateway are stucco sculptures of Shiva and Goddess Parvathi seated on the sacred bull (Rishaba Vahana), Vinayaka on his mount Mooshika, and Muruga on his peacock, blessing devotees as they enter.

Natrunai Appar

The presiding deity, Natrunai Appar, appears as a self-manifested (swayambhu) linga in an east-facing sanctum, beautifully crafted with fine workmanship.

Goshta Murthas

The niches around the sanctum house graceful sculptures of Sage Agasthya, Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Lingodbhava, and Goddess Durga, all noted for their artistic excellence.

Kalyana Sundareswarar

This is one of the places where Shiva revealed his divine wedding form (tirumana kolam) to both Vinayaka and Sage Agasthya. A sannidhi for Kalyana Sundareswarar stands here, commemorating this vision.

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 -

The Consorts

Two forms of the Goddess—Parvatharaja Putri and Malayan Madanthai—are enshrined to the right of the presiding deity. In addition, within the moolasthana, Kalyana Sundareswarar is seen in his 'tirumana Kolam'.

Other Sannidhis

The inner prakaram contains sannidhis for the Nalvar (the four Saiva saints), Vinayaka, and Surya. The maha mandapam houses the Sabha of Nataraja. Another notable structure within the temple is the beautifully designed "Nanipalli Kodi Vatta" mandapam.