Thiruvidaivai Sri Punniyakodinathar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Thiruvidaivai Sri Punniyakodinathar Temple, Thiruvidaivai, Thiruvarur District

Deity

Sri Idaivainathar, Sri Vidaivayappar, Sri Punyakotteesw Amman: Sri Umayammai, Sri Abirami.

Introduction

Punyakotinathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruvidaivasal Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. This Place is also called as Thiruvidaivaai.This is the 275th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam which was found after 274 temples on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This was due to Tirugnanasambandar hymns Kalvettu on the Karuvarai wall. The 275th Thevara Sthalam added in 1917.

Puranic Significance

Vidaiyavan, of the Surya Vamsam, originally built this temple. Hence this place is called as Thiruvidaivaai. It was believed that Shiva was worshipped by Adhiseshan, Agasthiar and Sage Athri. This Shivastalam was added to the collection of 274 Shivasthalams in 1917 to make it 275. The temple and the Thevara hymns dedicated to this shrine in inscriptions were found during digging a mud mound and so is not a part of the original collection of the Thirumurais compiled by Nambiyandar Nambi. The pathigam here is referred to as Puthiya Pathigam. Appar refers to this shrine as Vidaivaikkudi in his Adaivu Thiruttandakam.

Beliefs

Worship of Siva removes innate sins. Get the blessing of visiting many temples. The marriage ban will be lifted. He will get rid of his body and live a long life. “

Special Features

• Architectural Features:
  • No Rajagopuram (tower) or Kodimaram (flagstaff)
  • Presiding Deity: Punyakoti Nathar / Idaivaainathar / Vidaivaayappar / Punyakotteeswarar
  • Deity’s Appearance: Slightly large Lingam with Nagabharanam, looks beautiful
  • Goddess: Abirami / Umayammai
• Unique Sculptures & Inscriptions:
  • Devakoshtam deities: Ganapathi, Durga, and others
  • Sambandar & Abirami Sculpture: Located at the entrance of Abhirami shrine, depicting Ambal offering Holy Milk to Sambandar
  • Sambandar’s Worship Scene: Engraved above the main entrance
  • Nandi: Located in a small Mandapam facing the main deity
  • Important Inscription:
    • Features Thevaram Pathigams by Sambandar, discovered in 1917
    • Led to the recognition of this temple as the 275th Thevara Sthalam
• Temple Layout & Deities:
  • Arthamandapam: Houses Naalvar, Vinayagar, and Ambal Sannidhi (facing south)
  • Dwarapalakas & Dwarapalakis: Painted at the entrance of Lord & Mother’s sanctums
  • Koshta Idols on Sanctum Walls:
    • Narthana Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durga
  • Shrines in Prakaram:
    • Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Bala Sastha, Bhairavar, Navagraha, Surya, Chandran, Gajalakshmi, Sandikeswarar
  • Special Feature: Dakshinamurthy seated on Simhaasana Mandapam
• Sacred Elements:
  • Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Kasturi Arali
  • Theertham (Sacred Water): Sri Theertham / Punyakoti Theertham

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruvidaivai

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvarur

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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