Panjakshapureeswarar Temple,
Panjakkai, Nagapattinam
Panjakshapureeswarar Temple is
a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Panjakkai Village in
Tharangambadi Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is
called as Panjakshapureeswarar / Agneeswarar. The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple.
Panjakkai is now known as Annappanpettai. The place was also called as Panchakkapuram
/ Erukattancherry in ancient times.
Legends
Agastya cured of his leprosy here:
Agastya got his leprosy cured
here by praying to Lord Shiva of this Temple.
Erukattancherry:
Lord Shiva gave life back to
Lord Yama here. Hence the place is called as Ezhuppi Vittan Cheri and later got
corrupted to Erukattancherry.
The Temple
The Temple was believed to be
a big Temple and got completely destroyed. Presiding Deity is called as
Panjakshapureeswarar / Agneeswarar. Now Lord is housed in small sanctum in the
form of Lingam under Asbestos Sheet cover. He is facing east. Except presiding
deity, no other deities are available. There is a big Neem Tree near by the
Temple.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from
08.00 AM to 10.00 AM and 04.00 PM to 07.00 PM. Priest comes from Thirukkadaiyur.
He visits this Temple only on Fridays and Saturdays for doing Pooja. He used to
visit this Temple daily only during Margazhi Month.
Literary
Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this
Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6th Thirumurai in 70th
Patikam in 8th Song.
உஞ்சேனை மாகாளம் ஊறல் ஓத்தூர்
உருத்திர கோடி மறைக்காட் டுள்ளும்
மஞ்சார் பொதியின்மலை தஞ்சை வழுவூர்
வீரட்டம் மாதானங் கேதா ரத்தும்
வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்மீ யச்சூர் வைகா
வேதிச்சுரம் விவீச்சுரம் வொற்றி யூருங்
கஞ்சனூர் கஞ்சாறு பஞ்சாக் கையுங்
கயிலாய நாதனையே காண லாமே
Prayers
It is believed that pilgrimage
to Thirukkadaiyur for Sashti Aptha Poorthy will be complete only after visiting
this Temple. Women pray for longevity of their husband’s life.
Contact
Panjakshapureeswarar Temple,
Panjakkai, Annappanpettai,
Nagapattinam District – 609
301
Mobile: +91 98424
28723
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
3 Kms from Akkur, 3 Kms from Thirukkadaiyur, 11 Kms from Tharangambadi, 19 Kms
from Mayiladuthurai, 21 Kms from Mayiladuthurai Railway Station, 24 Kms from Karaikal,
44 Kms from Nagapattinam and 147 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is
situated on Chidambaram to Nagapattinam Route immediately after Akkur and
before Thirukkadaiyur.
Location