Punjaiyur Alakala Pancha Natheeswarar Shiva Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Punjaiyur, Thiruthurapoondi circle,

Thiruvarur district,

Tamil Nadu 610203

Moolavar

Alakala Pancha Natheeswarar

Amman

Sukantha Kundalambikai

Introduction

Punjaiyur Alakala Pancha Natheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Punjaiyur town, Thiruthurapoondi circle, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu. Punjaiyur is located on the bank of the river. As this town is part of Poosalangudi Municipality, it is called Poosalangudipunjaiyur. Here at the front of the town is a Shiva temple facing west on the lower bank of a big pond, Here the Lord is called as Alakala Pancha Natheeswarar and Mother is Sukantha Kundalambikai.

Puranic Significance

The Old temple is more than a thousand years old. Lord with sixteen wings – Alakalapanchanatheeswarar; Panchanatheeswarar who lived in the town called Alakalam, this name has now changed to Alakalapanchanatheeswarar. Here the Lord has a sanctum towards the west and Ambigai is facing south. The old temple style is not found today, but the present temple is said to have been rebuilt in Kerala style.

The temple structure is built of rough-hewn stone and is built like a collapsed pyramid on all four sides with a casket on top. There is a Ganesha facing north in the front hall. On a platform in front of the Lord, there is a Nandi altar on which a bell has been raised like a mandapam. There are floors on three sides of the sanctum sanctorum. There are both Durga Tenmugan in it. It is a privilege to see the Lord who is one thousand years old.

“With the kind permission of Sri Kadambur K. Vijayan, these are extracted from his posts”.