Thiru Payatrunathar Temple, Thiru Payathangudi – The
Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be found immediately after the entrance arch in mukha mandapam, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The antrala and maha mandapam are designed to look like the forehead of a bat (Vovval Nethi Mandapam).
The mukha mandapam connects the maha mandapam with the entrance arch. Presiding Deity is called as Thiru Payatrunathar / Muktapureeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam on a square Avudaiyar. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Only, Dakshinamoorthy can be seen in the koshta. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location.
Mother is called as Kaaviya Kanni / Nethrambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in maha mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. She is four armed. She holds akshara mala and lotus flower in her upper hands and showing varada and uru hastha in her lower hands. There is a south facing for Nataraja in the maha mandapam. Somaskanda and Utsava idols can be seen in the maha mandapam.
There are shrines for Siddhi Vinayaka, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Veera Maha Kali, Dhandapani, Viswanatha with his consort Visalakshi, Gajalakshmi, Bhairava Maharshi, Bhairava, Surya, Chandra and Navagrahas in the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Silanthi Tree. Theertham associated with this temple is Karuna Theertham / Brahma Theertham.
