Soundareswararswamy Temple, Thiruppanaiyur – Legends
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 Iruntha
Vinayagar (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.
Santhitha
Theertham:
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.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Saptha Rishis (Koushika, Kasiba, Bharadhwaja, Agasthya.
Athri, Brugu and Gouthama), Sage Parasara, Mahalakshmi and Karikala Cholan
worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple.
