Soundareswararswamy Temple, Thiruppanaiyur, Thiruvarur
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.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
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.
The
Temple
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.
Singers
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.
Contact
Soundareswararswamy Temple,
Thiruppanaiyur, Thiruvarur District
Phone: +91 4366 237 007
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 8 Kms from Nannilam, 5
Kms from Sannanallur, 16 Kms from Peralam, 13 Kms from Thiruvarur, 2 Kms from Andipanthal,
8 Kms from Thirukkannapuram, 10 Kms from Thiruppugalur, 9 Kms from Thiruvirkudi
and 126 Kms from Trichy. On the route Thiruvarur get down at Sannanallur then Panaiyur
stop from there 1 Km. On the bus route Peralam to Thiruvarur get down at Andipanthal then
Konamadhu from there temple is 1 Km. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Thiruvarur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.