Iluppur Ponvasinathar Temple, Pudukkottai

Address

Iluppur town,

Pudukottai District,

Tamil Nadu 622102

Moolavar

Ponvasinathar

Amman

Ponnambal

Introduction

Introduction
The Ponvasinathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Iluppur, in the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is situated approximately 10 km from Viralimalai, 20 km from Trichy, and 20 km from Pudukkottai.

Puranic Significance

The temple consists of a front mandapa, artha mandapa, and garbhagriha.
Inscriptions found in the temple, dating back to the reigns of Kulasekara Pandya (1190-1218 CE) and Sundara Pandya (1218-1244 CE), suggest that the temple is over 800 years old.
The Vimana of the presiding deity is adorned with astathikbalakas (guardian deities) facing eight directions. Key deities found around the temple include:
- South: Gnanasambandar, Appar, Sundarar, Manikkavacakar
- West: Kannimoola Ganapathy, Veera Ganapathy, Lakshmi Narayana, Visvanathar, Visalakshi, Ayyanar with consorts, Vishnu with consorts, Veerabhadra, Arunagirinathar, Athma Linga, Gajalakshmi
- North: Chandikesvarar
- Northeast: Navagraha
- East: Pattinathar
- West Prakara: Muruga with his consorts
- Kosta: Kongana Siddha, Dakshinamurthi, Lingodbhava, Brahma, Durga, Bhikshatana

Special Features

The area was originally called Iluppaiyur due to the abundance of Iluppai trees, which later became Iluppur.
The presiding deity, Ponvasinathar, is also known as Hemavritthisvarar, and faces east.
The goddess, in standing posture facing south, has four hands: the upper hands hold a lotus, and the lower hands are in abaya and varada postures.
Vilva and Makilam trees are found in the temple’s prakara.
Rama and Lakshmana, while searching for Sita, are believed to have passed through this area, then known as Mathu Kavanam, where they performed Linga puja.
The deity Ponvasinathar is said to have been worshiped by Guru, earning the temple the name Ponvasinathar.

Festivals

The temple is open for worship from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Major festivals include:
- Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Chitirai (April-May), lasting for 10 days. The eighth day features the celestial wedding of the deities, the ninth day has the car festival, and the tenth day marks Tiruvathirai.
- Navaratri and Panguni Uthiram are also celebrated with special significance at this temple.