Padikasu Nathar Temple, Azhagaputhur
– The Temple
This Temple is facing towards west with 3 tiered Rajagopuram and has single prakaram. Shrines of Surya and Chandra are situated on the either side of the Rajagopuram in the outer prakaram. Kodimara Vinayagar, Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram facing the sanctum. All are housed in newly built Mandapam.
The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Idols of Nalvar, Pukazhthunai Nayanar along with his wife Lakshmi and Saint Sundarar along with his wife Paravai Nachiyar can be seen in the Maha Mandapam. There is a beautiful sculpture of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy seated on their bull mount (Rishabaroodar) can be seen in the Artha Mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Padikasu Nathar / Swarnapureeswarar / Kubera Lingam and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Murthy (self-manifested). Lingam is taller and housed in a square Avudaiyar. The (vimana) tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of a three-tier design.
Narthana Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Azhakaambigai / Soundara Nayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam.
There is a shrine for Lord Murugan named Kalyana Sundara Shanmuga Subramaniyar in the temple premises. He is 12 armed and found seated on his peacock mount. He is holding a conch (Sangu) on his one hand and a discus (Chakra) on another hand like Lord Vishnu. The other ten hands holds various weapons. This representation of Lord Murugan is unique as it cannot be seen anywhere else.
The Thiruvatchi (a metal frame made aesthetically around the deity) is in the shape of the Tamil letter OHM. Devotees pray here to get relief from any poison inflicted by the bites of any reptiles. The special offering to this Murugan is done on Amavasya Day when Paal Payasam is offered as Neivedyam.
There is a shrine for Mother Maha Lakshmi near to this Shrine. It is rare to see the shrines of Mother Mahalakshmi and Muruga situated next to each other in a Shiva Temple. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Swarna Vinayaka blessing from a separate shrine. According to tradition in the temple, people worship this Vinayaka first before going to Lord Shiva.
There is a shrine for Navagrahas in the temple premises. As a general rule, Sun and Moon shall face towards eastern direction. However, they are facing each other in this Temple. There are nine small pits opposite the shrine. It is believed that planets are in the form of Vayu in these pits.
Those unable or failing to do the rituals regularly to their ancestors, perform pujas to Sun and Moon in this Navagraha shrine and light lamps in the pits. There are shrines for Gajalakshmi, Swarna Bairavar and Kala Bairavar in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple are Amirtha Pushkarini and Arasalaru River. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree.
