SowndaryaNathar temple, Tiruppanaiyur
Location
Tiru-Panaiyur
Deity
Thaalavaneswarar, Azhagiyanathar, SowndaryaNathar
Female Deity
Periyanayaki
Pathikam
Tirugyanasambandar - 1, Sundarar - 1
Gallery – Thaalavaneswarar Temple, Tiruppanaiyur
How to Reach
Tiruppanaiyur is situated about 2 km east of Aandipandal Junction on the Tiruvarur–Mayiladuthurai road and around 3 km from Nannilam. Those travelling on the Peralam–Tiruvarur route can reach the temple by proceeding past Sannanallur and turning at the signboard marked “Panaiyur.” From there, a narrow branch road leads to the temple, which is approximately 1 km away. While bus services are not available along this stretch, the road is easily accessible by car, van, and other private vehicles.
Temple Address
Panaiyur
Sannanallur Post
Nannilam Taluk
Tiruvarur District
PIN – 609504
Temple Hours
Morning : 7:00 - 9:00
Evening : 5:00 - 7:00
Contact
Kalyanasundara Gurukkal
9942281758, 9965981574
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Temple History
Karikala Chola and Thunaiyirundha Vinayakar
Karikala Chola was one of the most celebrated rulers of the early Chola dynasty. When he was still a child, his father was murdered as a result of a conspiracy orchestrated by rival claimants to the throne. These rivals then sought to eliminate the young prince as well and seize control of the Chola kingdom. To protect him, his maternal uncle, the Sangam poet Irumpidarthalaiyar, secretly sent the prince and his mother to Panaiyur. The queen took refuge in this temple and prayed to Vinayaka for protection. By the grace of the deity, Karikala Chola remained safe in this place for eight years. Because Vinayaka stood by and protected the future king during his time of hardship, the deity came to be revered as Thunaiyirundha Vinayakar, meaning “Vinayaka who stood as a companion and protector.”
The Grace Bestowed Upon Sundarar
During preparations for the Panguni Uttiram festival at Thiruvarur, Sundarar, at the request of Paravai Nachiyar, visited the Deity of Tirupugalur and sang a hymn in worship. As a mark of divine grace, the bricks he had placed beneath his head while resting were transformed into pure gold. Thereafter, he proceeded to Tiruppanaiyur. As he approached the boundary of the village, Shiva appeared before him and blessed him with a divine dance. Overwhelmed by the vision, Sundarar hastened forward, prostrated before the Deity, and sang hymns in praise of the deity.
Temple Structure
Temple Layout
This Shiva temple has a simple east-facing entrance gateway crowned with a stucco image of Shiva and Parvathi seated on Rishabha. Upon entering through the gateway, devotees first encounter the south-facing sannidhi of Goddess Periyanayaki, who is enshrined in a standing posture. In front of the Goddess’s sannidhi is the sanctum of Thunaiyirundha Vinayakar, the deity who is believed to have protected the young Karikala Chola. Beyond the second entrance lies the sanctum of the presiding deity along with the circumambulatory passage around it.
Shrines and Deities
The presiding deity of this temple was worshipped by the Saptarishis, Sage Parasara, Mahalakshmi, and Karikala Chola. In the sanctum, the Deity appears as a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Lingam. The Goshta deities include Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Durga. The temple also houses a separate sannidhi for Chandikeswarar. In the prakara stands an image of Sage Parasara, along with a Shiva Lingam that he is believed to have consecrated and worshipped. This west-facing Lingam, known as Thalavaneswarar, is installed on a square-shaped avudaiyar. Since the region was once abundant with palmyra trees, the place came to be known as Thalavanam, with the word Thalam signifying the palmyra tree. Appropriately, the sacred tree (sthala vriksha) of this temple is the palmyra.
The following temples have the palmyra tree (Panai Maram) as their Sthala Vruksham (sacred tree):
More Gallery – Thaalavaneswarar Temple, Tiruppanaiyur
