Aruna Jadeswarar
Temple, Thiruppanandal – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards west with seven tiered Rajagopuram and has four prakarams. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandhi can be found in a mandapa immediately after the Rajagopuram facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. The Maha Mandapam is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (Vovval Nethi Mandapam).
Presiding Deity is called as Aruna Jadeswarar / Senjadai Appar / Senjadaiyar / Thaalavaneswarar / Jadaathar / Thaalapureeswarar / Panangaateeswarar and is facing west. Lord is a Swayambhu Murthy (self-manifested). The rays of Sun fall on Lord on some days in Chithirai month (April-May). There are marks on the Lingam confirming the legends of Thadagai (Lord bent himself to receive garland from Thadagai) and Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar (Nayanar straightened the Linga using a rope).
Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. The sanctum sanctorum is of Agazhi type. It is surrounded by a moat like formation on all the 4 sides. Lord Oordhuva Thandavar can be seen in the Asthana Mandapam (Royal parlour).
Mother is called as Brihan Nayagi / Periyanayaki / Thaalavaneswari. Mother Shrine is like a separate temple. Her shrine is facing towards east with three tiered Rajagopuram. There are two procession idols of Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena. One idol is depicted with his mount peacock and the other without it. Sculptures depicting Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar pulling the Lingam with a rope to straighten it and Thadagai worshiping Lord Shiva with her 16 hands can be seen in the inner prakaram.
Paintings of the legends of Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar and Thadagai can be seen in the 16 pillared Mandapam. There are shrines and idols of Aanda Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Mahalakshmi, Kaatchi Kodutha Nayanar, Sattanathar, Bairavar, Nataraja with his consort Sivakami, Somaskandar, Pancha Bootha Lingams, Chokkanathar, Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar, Suryan, Chandran, Navagrahas, Sapthakannigal, Ayanar, 63 Nayanmars and Nalvar in the temple premises.
Theertham associated with this temple are Brahma Theertham, Iravadha Theertham, Thadagai Theertham, Nagakannikai Theertham and Manniyaru River. Sthala Vriksham is Palm Tree. There are two palm trees in the outer prakaram. A Shiva Linga in slanting position symbolizing the Thadagai legend can be seen under the tree. Nagakannikai Theertham can be seen near the Palm Tree. The temple belongs to Dharumapuram Aadheenam. The Kasi Mutt established by Saint Kumara Gurubarar is situated in this Town.
