Sri Thoovai Nathar temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Sri Thoovai Nathar Temple, Thiruvarur East Street, Tiruvarur, Thiruvarur District Phone: +91 – 4366 – 240 646 Mobile: +91 – 99425 40479

Deity

Thoovai Nathar, Amman: Thoovainayaki

Introduction

Location:
- Situated at Thiruvarur East Street, Thiruvarur Town, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.
- The place is historically known as Arur Paravayunmandali.
Temple Names:
- Also referred to as Thoovai Nayanar Temple / Durvasar Temple.
Presiding Deity & Consort:
- Lord Shiva is worshipped as Thoovainathar / Thoovai Nayanar / Paravayul Mandaleswarar.
- Goddess Parvati is known as Panchin Mennadiyal / Panjin Melladiyammai / Alliangothai.
Sacred Elements:
- Sthala Theertham (Holy Water): Akasha Theertham.
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Jack Tree.
Religious Significance:
- It is one of the 276 Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, glorified in the Thevaram hymns by Tamil Saivite saint Tirugnanasambandar.
- It is the 206th Devaram Paadal Petra Sthalam and the 89th Sthalam located on the southern bank of the river Cauvery.
Temple Administration:
- The temple functions under the control of the Thiruvarur main temple.

Puranic Significance

Saint Sundarar Regains Vision:
- Sundaramurthy Nayanar broke a promise to his second wife, Sangili Nachiyar, by leaving to visit his first wife, Paravai Nachiyar.
- As punishment, he lost his vision and began a pilgrimage to regain it.
- At Kanchipuram, Lord Ekambareswarar restored vision to his left eye upon Goddess Kamakshi’s recommendation.
- At Tiruvarur, Lord Shiva instructed him to bathe in a sacred tank in the northeast corner before worshiping him.
- His right eye was restored, and this event is commemorated by an eye symbol visible on the Lord during abhishekams.
Durvasa Nayanar & the Sea Calming Miracle:
- The temple was originally a sand shrine beneath the sea.
- When the sea tides rose dangerously, threatening destruction, Devas and sages sought Lord Shiva’s protection.
- Shiva instructed Sage Durvasa to dig a tank in the Agni (southeast) corner and perform pujas.
- The tides subsided as Shiva absorbed the sea’s fury, saving the world.
- Since Sage Durvasa worshiped here, Lord Shiva is also called Durvasa Nayanar.
Temple Idols Sculpted by Vishwakarma:
- All the temple idols were crafted by the divine architect Vishwakarma.
Divine Worshippers of Lord Shiva at this Temple:
- Indra, Durvasa, Sundarar, and all Devas worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple.

Beliefs

Those with impaired vision bathe in the tank of the temple, pray to Lord offering red flower – Sevvarali – garlands, perform archanas to gain clear eye sight. Devotees perform abishek to Lord with milk and feed the poor.

Special Features

The Temple is having 3 tiered Rajagopuram. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. Presiding Deity is called as Thoovainathar / Thoovai Nayanar / Paravayul Mandaleswarar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Panchin Mennadiyal / Panjin Melladiyammai / Alliangothai. Sthala Theertham is Akasha Theertham and Sthala Vriksham is Jack tree. It is said that all idols of the temple were made by the divine sculptor Vishwakarma. The location of the tank at the southeast corner is of special importance according to Vastu rules. Planet Sani Baghwan is facing south and graces the devotees. The event of Sundarar getting vision of his right eye is evidenced by the eye symbol visible on the Lord during abishek times. Vinayaka in the temple graces in the name of Lord Siddhi Vinayaka. It seems that Kumbabishekam has been performed long back and both Rajagopuram and the outer walls crying for attention.