Thiruppanaiyur Sri Soundareswararswamy Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Thiruppanaiyur Sri Soundareswararswamy Temple, Panayoor Sannanalalur Post Nannilam Circle Thiruvarur District PIN – 609504 PH:04366-237007

Diety

Soundareswararswamy Amman Periyanayaki

Introduction

Soundareswararswamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruppanaiyur Village near Nannilam in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The temple is centered on a palmyra tree which is the Sthala Vriksham. The palmyra tree gives its name to the village itself (“Thiru” (holy) + “Panai” (palm) + “Ur” (city) or the “city of the holy palm”). Presiding Deity is called as Soundareswarar / Azhahiyanathar / Soundarya Nathar / Thaalavaneswarar. Mother is called as Bruhannayaki / Periyanayagi. This is the 190th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 73rd Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Tirugnanasambandar and Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple.

Puranic Significance

The great King Karikala Cholan lived in this placed for 8 years before capturing his kingdom from enemies. Actually Karikalan’s parents were killed by enemies at his tender age of 5. He was taken care by his uncle in this village. He fought the battle at the age of 13 to conquer back his kingdom. Thaalavaneswaram: The place is also called as Thaalavanam in ancient times. Hence the temple is also called as Thaalavaneswaram. Thunai Iruntha Vinayagar: Due to political turmoil, Irumpidarthalaiyar, maternal uncle of Karikala Chola sent Karikala Chola and his mother to Panaiyur to safeguard them from their adversaries. Queen prayed to the Vinayaga of this temple to safeguard her and his son. Due to the blessings of Vinayaga, they lived here safely for 8 years. Hence Vinayaga is called as Thunai IrunthaVinayagar (Vinayaga, who supported). Thirupanaiyur: The temple is centered on palmyra tree which is the sthalavruksham.The palmyra tree gives its name to the village itself (“Thiru” (holy) + “Panai” (palm) + “Ur” (city) or the “city of the holy palm”). It’s popular due to its association with the early Chola king Karikala. It is believed that Karikala was standing under the palmyra tree when the royal elephant of the Cholas identified him as the king. Karikala was then taken to the capital on elephant back to be crowned Emperor. SanthithaTheertham: Sundarar got gold from the Thirupugalur Lord for the celebration of Panguni Uthira Thirunaal as insisted by Paravai Nachiyar. After worshipping Lord of Thirupugalur, Sundarar planned to visit Thirupanaiyur. During his visit, Lord Shiva is said to have blessed Sundaramoorthy Nayanar with a vision of his cosmic dance at the entrance to the village itself when Sundarar was coming to this temple. The tank near the Manikka Nachiyar Thittu, North East to this village is called “Santhitha Theertham” as a mark of the place of this meeting. Automatic Growth of two Saplings: There are two Panai Trees as Sthala Vriksham in this temple. When it becomes older, automatically two saplings are grown from the roots.

Special Features

Presiding Deity is called as Soundareswarar / Azhahiyanathar / Soundarya Nathar / Thaalavaneswarar. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy facing west on a Square Avudayar. Mother is called as Bruhannayaki / Periyanayagi. Theertham associated with this temple are Paraasara Theertham / Amirtha Pushkarani / Thirumagal Theertham. Presiding Deity is mentioned as Panaiyadippan / Panangatiraivan in the inscriptions. Stucco Image of Rishabaroodar is located at the Temple entrance.There are Shrines for Thunai Iruntha Vinayagar, Martruraitha Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Sandeswarar, Mahalakshmi and Ashta Lingam in the prakaram. Agasthiyar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols in sanctum walls. There is a Vinayaga called Matru Uraitha Vinayagar in the prakaram like the one in Thiruvarur Temple. There are sever Shiva Lingams in a row believed to be worshipped by Saptha Rishis. Somaskanda Idol is a unique sculpture holding fruit on left hand. The Temple has been converted to granite structure during 11th Century.The Temple has been called as Rajendra Chozha Panaiyur in inscriptions. There is an image of Paraasara Muni, who is said to have dropped a small portion of the celestial nectar – Amritam – into the Temple tank and hence the name “Amrita Pushkarini”. Sthala Vriksham is Panai (Palm); there are two palm trees here which grew by themselves without any seed when the previous trees became very old.

Festivals

Margazhi Tiruvadirai in December-January; Masi Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.