Tirupunkur Sri Sivaloganathar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Sri Sivaloganathar Temple,Tirupunkur,Sirkazhi Taluk,Nagapattinam District,PIN 609112 PH:9486717634

Diety

Sivaloganathar Amman: Chokkanayagi

Introduction

Sivalokanathar Temple is a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Tamilnadu. It is dedicated to the god Shiva. The temple is situated in the village of Tirupunkur or Thirupunkur which lies about 3 miles west of Vaitheeswaran Koil. The temple is associated with the legend of the Saivite saint Nanthanar who was one of the 63 Nayanmars. While being a Dalit, Nanthanar was not allowed inside the temple, the idol of Nandi within the temple precincts moved a few inches at the command of Shiva so as not to obstruct Nandanar’s view from the gate of the shrine. The name of the place Tirupunkur comes from the name of the sacred tree of the temple Punga Maram. This is an ancient temple. Renovations of the temple were carried out during the period of Rajendra Chola. The Shiva lingam is a Swayambhu (Self manifested) lingam, the Nandi here is also a Swayambhu. The presiding deity at this temple is Sivaloganathar and his consort is Soundaryanayaki. The temple is praised in the Devaram hymns by three Saints; This is the 20th Shiva temple on the northern bank of river Cauvery praised in Devaram hymns.

Puranic Significance

Nanthanar: Nanthanar a farm worker belonging to backward community was a staunch Shiva devotee harbouring a desire to worship Shiva in Chidambaram. But his boss denied him leave. He was hoping Naalai Pogalam – let me go tomorrow. That tomorrow came when his boss granted him leave. Nanthanar was passing through this place where he desired to have the darshan of Lord Sivalokanathar but Nandi was in the way. The Dwarapalakas informed the Lord that Nanthanar was there for his darshan. Lord ordered Nandhi to move a little so that Nanthanar could have a comfortable darshan. This is a temple that honoured a devotee of highest standard of Bhakti. He is the only Dalit saint in the Nayanars. He is generally counted as the eighteenth in the list of 63 Nayanars. Kulam Vettiya Pillaiyar: Nanthanar decided to build a pond near the temple for the anointing Lord Shiva by Goddess Parvathi but it was a huge task for him, hence he prayed the Lord to help him. Lord Shiva asked Lord Ganapathi to help him to build a pond and hence Ganapathi called as Kulam Vettiya Vinayagar here. In remembering the event, there is a shrine for Kulam Vettiya Pillayar meaning Lord Vinayaka who dug the tank Sundarar brought rain to this area: Sundarar is said to have miraculously brought rain to provide much needed relief from a prolonged drought upon request by Kalikkaama Naayanaar of Tirupperumangalakkudi a village nearby. It is believed that Sundarar had to further sing hymns to stop the deluge that threatened the village following his rendition of hymns. Tri Purams as Dwarapalakas and Drummer: It is believed that the two of the three vain asuras of the Tri-Purams after their defeat became Dwarapalakas and the third one became Nataraja’s drummer here.The Nataraja image here is of great beauty and in this shrine is an image of a celestial playing the Panchamukha Vadhyam. Pancha Lingams: The legend goes that once upon a time, there was an interesting debate between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi as to who looks more charming. Lord took out a Darbhai and made three ‘knots’, throwing down the earth, saying wherever this Darbhai falls, He will make a statement on her beauty. The Darbhai fell on the ground and got converted as ‘Pancha lingams’. These ‘Panchalingams’ are situated in this temple is something special to worship. According to legends, worshipping these Panchalingams removes marriage problems, serpent related sins.

Beliefs

Devotees throng the temple for relief from the adverse aspects of serpent planets and sin effects of past birth. They pray to Lord Sivalokanathar in anthill form for mental peace, employment opportunity, development in professions and it is the strong faith of the devotees that he would not fail them. Devotees offer the punugu paste-a cosmetic paste – to Lord Sivalokanathar at about 8.30 p.m. on Mondays with Tirukkuvalai pujas. Those facing long delays in wedding due to serpent planet aspects make silver pieces with snake symbol and place it in the Hundi. They also offer Wedding garlands with Parihara Archanas. For relief from the sin effects of the past births, devotees perform special archanas to Lord Vinayaka, Shiva, Mother Ambika, Lord Muruga and Sage Agasthya (Pancha Puja-five pujas).

Special Features

Mahaganpathy is called “Kulam Vettiya Vinayagar” (The God who dug pond), and the pond is believed to have been dug up by Lord Ganesh by using his Gana-boothas overnight for Nanthanar to take bath. There is a sculpture of Nanthanar with a bowl in his hand, near the gate. A Panchamukha lingam, representing Shiva’s appearance before Brhamma, is seen under the Sthalavruksham in the Prakaram. In most of the temples Nandhi will have tongue but in this temple Nandhi does not have a tongue. In all the temples, Dwarapalakas at the entrance will be standing straight, but here Dwarapalakas’ face is slightly tilted and positioned diagonal. This is so because Duwarabalas inform the Lord that “Nanadanar has come to have a darshan and is waiting outside to see you”.

Festivals

10 day Vaikasi Visakam Brahmotsavam with Lord’s procession each day is the most important festival of the temple. The devotee crowd in the temple on the monthly Pradosham days is usually huge. Special pujas and Aaradhanas are performed in the temple on Deepavali day in October-November, Pongal falling almost on January 14 except in Leap Years and Tamil and English New Year days are grandly celebrated in the temple.