Panayapuram Sri Panagatseesar Temple, Villupuram

Address

Panayapuram Sri Panagatseesar Temple, Panayapuram post, Mundiyambakkam, Villupuram circle. Villupuram district – 605 603.

Diety

Panagateseesar , Amman: Sathyaambikai, Puravammai

Introduction

Panayapuram Sri Panagatseesar Temple is located in the Panayapuram Village in villupuram circle, villupuram district. The presiding deity is called as Panagatseesar, and Mother is called as Sathyaambikai, Puravammai. The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built by Vijayanagar kings during the 16th century. 2000 years old. Thala Virutcham : Palm Tree Theertham : Padmathirtham

Puranic Significance

Another legend associated with this place is that of a king called Chokkalingam who is believed to have visited this place in Dwapara Yuga. He is believed to have noticed a strange lotus flower in a pond. He wanted to pluck the flower but was unable to do so as it kept moving in the water. The king shot an arrow and as soon as it hit the flower, the water turned red. Upon further investigation, he found a Shivalingam inside the flower. He immediately built a temple there. The Shivalingam still has a scar on it.

Beliefs

The devotees pray to the Lord for the removal of hurdles for marriage, to get good issues and to be the best in knowledge and wisdom. After the fulfillment of their prayers, the devotees perform abhishekam to the Lord and offer new clothes. They also donate their munificence to the temple renovation.

Special Features

This is the place worshipped by Sun God. In the outer paved corridor are the sanctum of Lord Vinayaka and Arumuga. Nearer to this are the three sacred Palm trees. The sanctum of Goddess is also east facing, the Goddess in the standing posture. Women gate-securities are in mortar-structure. After worshipping Dwara Ganapati and Dhandapani, we can go in and worship Sathyambigai. We can reach the sanctum of the Lord after worshipping the Navagrahas, going around and then paying obeisances to the Flag-post. In the inner paved corridor are the sanctum of Vinayaka, Arumuga, Sani Bhagawan, Navagrahas, Sun, the 63 Nayanmar, Saptamaathas, Lord on the Rishaba vahana, Tirumal, Gajalakshmi, Naalvar, Bhikshaatanar, Dakshinamurthi, Brahma, Linghotbavar, Durga, Chantikeswarar, Nataraja, and Somaskandar. There is a rare image of Tiruneelakantar with his wife, both holding together the staff and praying with joined palms. This is one of the five holy places which have Palm tree as Sacred tree. To distinguish it from the other holy places, this was named ‘Puravaar Panangaatoor’ since it was surrounded by thick woods (puravu: grove, wood / forest).As this holy place was enclosed by the woods of Mullai region, the place is called ‘Puravaar Panangaatoor’. In order to protect the pigeon that surrendered to him Sibi Chakravarthi came forward to yield his eyes. The Lord appreciating his duteous mind, graced the king in return, his lost eyes. Hence, the Lord of this place came to be known as ‘kanparitthu aruliya katavul’.

Festivals

.Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept) Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) Mahashivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) Pradosham is also observed regularly.