Ivanallur Ruthrapureeswarar Shiva Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Ivanallur, Nagai Circle,

Nagapattinam District,

Tamil Nadu 611106

Moolavar

Rudrapureeswarar

Amman

Muthambaranayagi

Introduction

Ivanallur Ruthrapureeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Ivanallur town, Nagai circle, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. Ivanallur is two kilometres from Nagapattinam on the road to Sikkal. This junction of two highways near Ivanallur is called Samputhurnaluru Road. The place of worship of Panjapandas called Ivars is hence called as Ivarnallur.

This Shiva temple is located on the small street towards the east. There is a pond to the south of the temple, which is currently under occupation and there is also a large lotus pond to the north-west of the temple. The temple is illuminated by a beautiful three-tiered Rajagopuram towards the east. Here the Presiding deity is called as Rudrapureeswarar and Mother is called as Muthambaranaya.

Puranic Significance

The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. Here the Lord – Rudrapuriswarar and Mother Mutambaranayaki is the name of the one who wears clothes made of pearls. Beyond the three-tiered Rajagopuram is a beautifully carved copper flagpole, preceded by a Nandi. Under the altar there is a Kodimara vinayaka, and on either side of the Mughamadanpa gate, Vinayaka and Muruga are on the roofs. In front of the sanctum sanctorum there is a large conical hall which joins the mother sanctum sanctorum towards the south.

There are two shrines to Vinayagar Murugan on either side of the Lord’s Sanctum. Karurai Kotams include Vinayagar, Thenmukhan, Lingodbhava durga. There is a sanctum sanctorum of Sandesardani in the usual place. In the north-west there is a bow tree branched into five parts. There is Navagraha in the northeast and Juradeva Bhairava Suryan in the Matila Ottiam Mandapam. It is interesting to see that there is also a semi-circular well near Navagraha.