Pazhampathi Nathar Temple, Thiruppunavasal – The Temple

Pazhampathi Nathar Temple, Thiruppunavasal – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with a five tiered Rajagopuram. The rajagopuram is about 65 feet high. Vallabha Ganapathy and Dhandapani Shrines can be seen outside the temple on either side of the rajagopuram. The temple covers an area of about 3 acres (12,000 m2). The temple is enclosed with massive compound walls. Shrines of Surya & Bhairavar can be seen on the right side and Shrine of Chandran can be seen on the left side immediately after the rajagopuram. All these shrines are facing west.

Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the rajagopuram facing the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sabha mandapam, maha mandapam, artha mandapam, antrala and sanctum. Somaskandar, Nalvar and Sekkizhar can be seen in the southern side of maha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Vruddha Pureeswarar / Pazhampathi Nathar / Mahalingeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). This Lord is also called Chatur Mukha Lingam as he is having four faces. The Lingam is installed on a big Avudayar (the base or the seat for placing the Lingam). The Linga is about 9 feet tall and its Avudayar circumference is 82.5 feet & 5.5 feet height and Gomukhi is 3.5 feet. It is interesting to note that Lingam is still growing in height. This Lingam is considered to be the third tallest Lingam in Tamil Nadu, after Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram but Avudaiyar is the largest in Tamil Nadu.

When Vastram is to be offered to the Lord, the devotees offer 3 yards for the Lingam and 30 yards for the Avudai. Abishekam is performed using a special ladder that goes across the Avudai. Surya puja (Puja to Sun God) is performed on Vaikasi Visakam star day (May-June) as the rays of Sun falls on the presiding deity. The vimana over the sanctum is taller than the rajagopuram similar to Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thirubhuvanam Kampaheswarar Temple and Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple. 

Vinayagar, Veerasana Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. It is said that this temple came into existence much before Thiruvannamalai. Hence, Lingodbhava cannot be seen in the koshta. Vishnu and Anjaneyar can be seen in the Koshta instead of Lingothbhava. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. It houses two Chandikeswarars.

Mother is called as Periyanayaki / Brihannayagi / Karunai Nayagi / Kachini Mulai Ammai. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated on the left side of the sanctum. The Kudavarai Kali Shrine is situated opposite to the Goddess shrine. She is represented by Trisula. This shrine is situated on the north east corner of the temple premises. She is in formless form and can be seen only through mirror. Devotees pray here for child boon and safe delivery.

There is a separate shrine for Nataraja in the maha mandapam. This Shrine is south facing and houses all the Utsava idols. It is referred to as the Siva Gnana Sabha. All of the 14 shrines in the Pandya Kingdom sung by the Nayanmars are said to manifest themselves here. There are 14 Shivalingams representing each of these shrines in this temple. It is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva in this temple is equal to worshiping of all 14 temples of Pandya Nadu.

There are shrines for nine sons of Sage Kabila, Adhi Saiva Sivanadiyars (ancient Shiva devotees), Agandala Vinayagar, Chaturmukha Lingam, Pancha Vinayagar, Sthala Vinayaga, Agastya Lingam, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, 63 Nayanars, Vishwanathar, Visalakshi and Gajalakshmi can be seen in the prakaram.

Sthala Vrikshams are Punnai, Chathurkalli, Magizham and Kurundha Trees. As this temple is believed to be in existence during all the Yugas, four holy trees are attributed to this temple. Theerthams associated with this temple are Lakshmi Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Indra Theertham, Chakra Theertham, Surya Theertham, Chandra Theertham, Sivaganga Theertham, Kalyana Theertham, Varuna Theertham and Pambaru River. Brahma Theertham is situated outside the temple.