Tamilnadu Tourism: Bhaktajaneswarar Temple, Thirunavalur, Villupuram

Bhaktajaneswarar Temple, Thirunavalur, Villupuram

Bhaktajaneswarar Temple (also called Thirunavalur Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva, located in Thirunavalur village in Villupuram District in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is located on the Panruti - Kedilam road. Presiding Deity is called as Naavaleeswarar / Bhakta Janeswarar / Jambu Natheswarar. Mother is called as Manonmani / Sundaranayaki / Naavalambigai. The temple complex covers an area of two acres and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Bhaktajaneswarar, his consort Manonmani Amman and Ranganathar being the most prominent.

The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, with later additions from different ruling dynasties. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple has three daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and many yearly festivals on its calendar. Sundarar Janana festival during the Tamil month of Aavani (August - September) and Sundarar Guru Poojai during the month of Aadi are the most prominent festivals celebrated in the temple. This is said to be the star temple for those born during the time of “Rohini Nakshatram” as this temple’s Sthala Viruksham (Naaval tree) is associated with the “Rohini Nakshatram”.

This is the birthplace of Sundaramurthy Nayanar. Sundarar, an 8th-century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated Bhaktajaneswarar in ten verses in Thevaram, compiled as the Ninth Thirumurai. As the temple is revered in Thevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. This is the 40^th Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 8^th Shiva Sthalam of Nadu Naadu. Thirunavalur is highly praised by Sekkizhar in his celebrated epic Periyapuranam also known as Thiruthondar Puranam. Saint Arunagirinathar sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya in this temple.