Thirunavalur Sri Thirunavaleswarar (Pakthajaneswarar) Temple, Villupuram

Address

Thirunavalur Sri Thirunavaleswarar (Pakthajaneswarar) Temple, Thirunavalur, Ulunthurpettai Taluk, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu – 607 204. Tele: +91 4149-224 391.

Diety

Thirunavaleswarar, Pakthajaneswarar, Janeswarar, Amman: Sundaranayaki, Manomani

Introduction

Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) who is believed to have appeared in the midst of Jambu trees (Naaval). This is the birth place of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, one of the four great Saints (Nalvar) and one of the 63 Nayanmars. This temple’s entrance has a 5- tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors. Thirunavalur is situated in the erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu and is in between the rivers Gadilam and Pennai. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest one and is said to have existed here even before the 4 yugas. This temple was earlier called “Thiruthondeecharam” and the place around it was called Thirunavalur and Jambunathapuri. However, it is now called Thirunamanallur. As per the stone inscriptions available in this temple, the Chola king Rajathithan, son of Paranthakan-I, renovated and expanded this temple. Theertham (Holy water): Gadilam River, Gomukhi Theertham, River Garuda Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Naaval (Jambu)

Puranic Significance

Thirunavalur is situated in the erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu and is in between the rivers Gadilam and Pennai. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest one and is said to have existed here even before the 4 yugas. This temple was earlier called “Thiruthondeecharam” and the place around it was called Thirunavalur and Jambunathapuri. However, it is now called Thirunamanallur. As per the stone inscriptions available in this temple, the Chola king Rajathithan, son of Paranthakan-I, renovated and expanded this temple.It is said that Goddess Parvathi, Lord Brahma, Lord Mahavishnu, Chandikeswarar, Sukran, Indran, Ashtathik Balakars, Suryan, Saptharishis and Garudan have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. Also, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, and his parents Sadaya Nayanar and Isaignaniyar and his foster father Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. All of them find a place among the 63 Nayanmars. As advised by Goddess Parvathi, Sukrachariyar (Sukran) worshipped the Lord Shiva here and got relieved from “Vakra dhosham”. The lingam installed and worshiped by Sukran is named as “Bhargaveeswarar” and it can be seen in the temple’s corridors. Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here to seek his blessings before taking the “Narasimha Avatar” to destroy demon Hiranyan (Pragalad’s father). There is a separate shrine for Sri Varadaraja Perumal (Lord Mahavishnu) in this temple. It is also believed that Goddess Parvathi worshipped Lord Shiva here before their wedding. It is believed that Sivapriyar, a Shiva devogtee, worshipped Lord Shiva here and attained the post of Chandikeswarar. Beautifully engraved reliefs depicting the life of Chandikeswarar can be seen in this temple. It is also believed that in a fight between Garudan and the Serpent Aadhiseshan, Garudan had turned blue after coming in contact with Aadhiseshan’s venom. Garudan prayed to Lord Shiva here and got relief from his ailment.

Beliefs

Since Sukran is believed to have worshiped the lord here, it is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva here devotees will get relief from “Sukra Dosham”. Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here will remove obstacles from their marriage proposals. As this temple is considered especially auspicious for the Rohini Nakshatram, devotees who are born in the period of this constellation visit this temple for worship.

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 8th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) who is believed to have appeared in the midst of Jambu trees (Naaval). This is the birth place of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, one of the four great Saints (Nalvar) and one of the 63 Nayanmars. This temple’s entrance has a 5- tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors. Deities in the Temple: Goddess Parvathi is in a separate temple and can be seen in a meditative posture. It is interesting to see that her hair is not braided or tied. The temples of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi are facing east. Shrines and idols of Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan with his consorts can be seen in the corridors. In this temple, Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen in a standing posture with his bull mount but without Muyalagan under his feet. Lingams worshiped by Saptha Rishikals, Pollapillayar, Sekkizhar, Gajalakshmi, Navagraham, Sri Bhargaveeswarar, Suryan and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors. In the corridors, there are Shiva lingams that are believed to have been worshipped by Lord Mahavishnu in Kirutha yugam, Chandikeswarar in Thretha yugam, Lord Brahma in Dwabara yugam, and Saint Sundarar in Kali yugam. The beautiful procession idols made of bronze (Utsava Murthy) of Lord Natarajar with Sivakami Amman, Vinayakar, Murugan, Bhikshandavar, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar with his two wives and the Nalvar can be seen in the temple’s hall. There is a Shivalingam in the inner corridor that is believed to have been worshiped by King Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar, foster father of Saint Sundamurthy Nayanar.

Festivals

Almost all festivals are celebrated in this temple. The important ones are – Saint Sundararamurthy Nayanar’s birthday (Janana Vizha) in the Tamil month of Avani (Aug-Sept) on the day of the “Uthiram” star day, Sundarar’s Guru Pooja in the Tamil month of Adi (July-Aug) on the day of the “Swathi” star, and Car festival (Ther) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May). Pradosham is also observed regularly.