Panankatteeswarar temple, Tiru-Panankattur
Location: Tiruvanpaarthaan Panankattur
Deity known as: Krupapureeswarar, Panankatteeswarar, Thaalapureeswarar
Female Deity: Krupanayaki, Amirthavalli
Pathikam: Sundarar - 1
Gallery - Panankatteeswarar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located about 16 km from Kancheepuram. Bus facilities are available from Kancheepuram.
Temple Address
Tiruppanangadu
Tiruppanangadu Post
Via Vembakkam
Seyyaaru Taluk
Tiruvannamalai District
PIN 604410
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Kuranganil Muttam - 12 kms | |
| 2 | Tirumaakaral - 30 kms |
Temple Structure and Layout
Unique Dual Deity Temple
The Shiva temple at Tiruppanankattur faces east and does not have a Rajagopuram at its main entrance. This entrance leads into the prakaram, where the Dwajasthambam, Balipeetam, and Nandi are situated. Directly opposite this entrance is another gateway topped with a three-tiered gopuram, through which devotees can access the sannidhi of Krupanatheswarar.
Twin Configuration
To the left of the initial Dwajasthambam, Balipeetam, and Nandi, there is a second, identical set. Opposite this second arrangement, an opening is found in the inner wall of the temple. Through this opening, the sannidhi of Thalapureeswarar can be seen, located adjacent to the sannidhi of Krupanatheswarar.
Gajaprushta Vimanam
Both presiding deities in the temple face east, and the vimanam above them is designed in the form of an elephant’s back, known as Gajaprushtam. Complementing the two male deities, the temple also houses two female deities.
Special Feature
This temple is unique in housing two principal deities—Thalapureeswarar and Krupanatheswarar—along with two female deities, making it a rare example of a dual-deity configuration among Shiva temples.
Sage Agasthya and Thalapureeswarar
Divine Command to Journey South
During the divine wedding of Shiva and Parvathy at Mount Kailash, the immense gathering of celestial beings caused an imbalance in the Earth’s north–south axis. To restore cosmic equilibrium, Shiva instructed Sage Agasthya to proceed southward.
Establishment of Thalapureeswarar
Obeying this divine command, Sage Agasthya journeyed southward and, along the way, established a Shiva Linga, which now blesses devotees as Thalapureeswarar. Flanking the entrance to the sanctum are stone sculptures of Sage Agasthya and a palm tree.
Goshta Murthas
The Goshta Murthis in the sanctum include Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma, and Goddess Durga, while there is no separate shrine dedicated to Chandeshwarar.
Other Places Visited by Sage Agasthya
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 -
Sage Pulasthya and Krupanatheshwarar
Disciple's Establishment
Pulasthya, a disciple of Sage Agasthya, established a Shiva Linga named Krupanatheswarar adjacent to Thalapureeswarar during his visit to this site. The entrance to this sanctum is adorned with stone sculptures of Sage Pulasthya and a palm tree.
Unique Dakshinamurthy
The Goshta Murthis include Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, and Brahma, while Chandeshwarar is enshrined separately with a dedicated vimanam above. Notably, Dakshinamurthy is depicted with his right leg bent, left leg folded, and his hands held in chinmudra.
Ritual Precedence
Thalapureeswarar, also known as Panankatteeswarar and consecrated by Sage Agasthya, holds primary importance in this temple. Rituals are first performed to the Linga established by the guru Sage Agasthya, followed by the Linga consecrated by his shishya, Sage Pulasthyar. The deity praised in the Thevaram hymns is Panankatteeswarar.
Guru-Shishya Tradition
This temple beautifully exemplifies the Guru–Shishya (teacher–disciple) tradition, where worship is first offered to the Linga established by the guru, Sage Agasthya, followed by the Linga consecrated by his shishya, Sage Pulasthyar.
Sacred Palm Tree - Sthala Vruksham
Origin of the Name
The sanctity of the palm tree and its association with Thalapureeswarar is attributed to Sage Agasthya offering palm fruit during his worship. As a result, the deity came to be known as Panankatteeswarar, a name that signifies a ‘forest of palm trees.’
Temple Inscriptions and Protection
Inscriptions found in this temple caution that those who harm or cut down living palm trees will incur adverse consequences or dosha. The two principal palm trees associated with this belief are located outside the temple, behind the Kottai Muneeswarar Temple.
Five Sacred Palm Tree Temples
The group of temples where the Sthala Vruksham (sacred tree) is the palm tree (Panai maram) are:
Female Deities and Prakaram
Amirthavalli and Krupanayaki
The complementary female deities, Goddess Amirthavalli and Goddess Krupanayaki, are enshrined in their own dedicated sanctums, each surrounded by a separate prakaram. Additionally, the circumambulatory path (pradakshina) around these sanctums features shrines for Bhairavar and Chandra.
Exquisite Stone Sculptures
Rare Pillar Sculptures
The mandapam of this temple is adorned with exquisite and rare stone sculptures carved on its pillars. Noteworthy among them are a Naga-Linga sculpture on a pillar opposite the sannidhi of Goddess Amirthavalli; an image of Rama carved on a pillar just outside the inner entrance; and a dynamic depiction of Vali and Sugreeva engaged in combat on a pillar facing the sannidhi of Krupanatheswarar.
Strategic Placement
The placement of these pillars creates a direct line of sight between the pillar depicting Rama and the pillar showing Vali and Sugreeva, while the image of Rama itself remains concealed from view by the pillar illustrating Vali and Sugreeva.
Sundarar's Pathikam
The Pathikam composed by Sundarar appears in the Seventh Tirumurai.
More Photos - Panankatteeswarar Temple
