Thirunokkiya Azhagiyanathar Temple, Thiruppachethi – The Temple

Thirunokkiya Azhagiyanathar Temple, Thiruppachethi – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Dwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the entrance arch in the mukha mandapam facing towards the sanctum. Presiding deity is called as Thirunokkiya Azhagiyanathar / Vanmeeganathar / Parijathavaneswarar / Chakravartheeswarar / Lakshmi Varada Sundareswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam.

Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Normally, Vilwa leaves are used in the poojas to Lord Shiva but here Tulsi leaves are used in the Somavara (Mondays) poojas of Lord Shiva. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Vishnu Durga and Brahma are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Lord Nataraja is made of a musical stone in this temple. He is flanked by his consort Shivagami. Mother is called as Marunokkum Poonguzhali. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine in maha mandapam.

There are two Maragatha Lingams in the temple. Abhishekam is performed to these Maragatha Lingams during Uchi Kala Pooja. It is one of the unique feature in this temple to have darshan of these Lingams. There is a separate shrine for Kala Bhairavar in the temple premises. Here Bhairavar is shown with his dog mount on two sides. There are shrines for Valampuri Vinayagar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena and Navagrahas in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Lakshmi Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Parijatham.