Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
Carved stone tower beside a smaller tower, with palm trees and a shaded walkway below
Swayambu

Thiruvennainallur Sri Krupapureeswarar Temple 14th of 22 in Nadu Nadu · Temples near Villupuram

Moolavar
Kirupapureeswarar, Venupureeswarar,Arudthurainathar, Thaduthatkonda Nathar
Ambal
Mangalambigai, Verkanni Ammai, Arul Nayaki
Theertham
Then Pennai River, Dheva Theertham, Dhanda Theertham, Arut Thurai Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Bamboo (Moongil)
Pathigam by
Sundaramurthy Nayanar (Sundarar)

Temple

Visited on: Sunday, 18th September, 2016

Location

Thiruvennainallur is situated at a distance of about 21 kms from Villupuram on the Villupuram to Thirukkovilur route. From Thirukkovilur it is about 20 kms and from Thirumundeecharam (Gramam) it is about 6 kms.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvamathur, Thiruthuraiyur, Thiruvathigai, Thirumundeecharam, T.Idaiyaru and Thirunavalur.

General information

Moolavar
Sri Kirupapureeswarar, Sri Venupureeswarar,
Sri Arudthurainathar, Sri Thaduthatkonda Nathar
Ambal
Sri Mangalambigai, Sri Verkanni Ammai, Sri Arul Nayaki
Theertham (Holy water)
Then Pennai River, Dheva Theertham, Dhanda Theertham, Arut Thurai Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Bamboo (Moongil)
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar (Sundarar)
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 14th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • The temple is also known as “Arul Thurai”.
  • Sundaramurthy Nayanar was “Thaduthatkonda” Sthalam by Lord Shiva.
  • The temple is associated with the attainment of sainthood by Sundaramoorthy Nayanar.
  • Saint Sundarar sang his first Devaram song “Pitha Pirai Sudi Arulala” in this temple.
  • There is a separate hall (mandapam) called “Vazhakku Theertha Mandapam” (the Court where justice is given) in the temple.
  • In this temple, Lord Shiva gave darshan in his bull mount (Rishaba Vaganam) to Sundarar.
  • This east facing temple’s main tower (Raja Gopuram) has 5-tiers and has two corridors.

History of the temple

Thiruvennainallur is situated in the erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu and is on the southern bank of river Pennai. This ancient temple is one of the very old temples in Tamil Nadu.

Thiruvennainallur also has the reputation of having the great philanthropist, Sadayappa Vallal, a wealthy 12th-century small dynastic king. He was also the head of Puduvai (Pondicherry). He is a close friend and a patron of Kavi Chakravarthy Kambar, the Tamil poet who wrote Kamba Ramayanam.

Two carved stone towers against a blue sky, with a roof shelter beneath them
A clump of bamboo on a stone platform with small idols and a pot, beside a painted wall

Legend

The legend is that when Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar was about to be married in his hometown Thirunavalur, suddenly, an old Brahmin intervened and claimed that Sundarar had been assigned to him as his attendant by Sundarar's grandfather. To prove his case, he showed an ancient palm leaf manuscript in his possession. Heated arguments were exchanged between the old man and Sundarar. Sundarar and those assembled at the wedding were outraged and called the old man a madman (pithan: Tamil). Thereafter, it was considered that the judicial system in deciding a dispute should be under three main principles – Aatchi (tradition), Aavanam (documentary evidence) and Ayalar Saatchi (eye witness).

But a court of vedic scholars concluded that the palm leaf was legally valid. Crestfallen, Sundarar resigned himself to servitude in the old man's household and, following him to Thiruvennainallur Shiva temple, as advised by the old man. The huge 100 pillared hall “Panchayat Mandapam / Vazhakkadu Mantram” where the case was argued by Lord Shiva and Sundarar is at the right side of the main entrance. The pillar on which the old man was leaning during the court proceedings is believed to be still warm.

The old man disappeared at the sanctum sanctorum leaving his footwear (Padakoradu/ Padukas) at the entrance. Sundarar was shocked and came to realize that the old man who demanded his service was none other than the Lord Shiva himself. He cried apologetically and Lord Shiva asked him to sing his praise. When Sundarar asked how he could without any knowledge, Lord asked him to start with the word Pitha (lunatic) which he uttered initially. The first song of Sundarar – Pitha Pirai Soodi – thus came into being here.

Hence Lord Shiva is called “Thaduthatkonda Nathar” meaning stopped Sundarar from his wedding and put him in religious services. The said Padukas left by Lord Shiva are still kept safely in this temple for darshan of the devotees.

As per the Sthala Puranam, Goddess Parvathi after destroying the demon Mahishasuran in the form of Durgai wanted to get back her normal face from an angry face. It is believed that she penanced here with Panjakni (five faced deepam) in the midst of a fortress made of butter (Vennai). Hence the name of this place is known as Thiru Vennainallur. It is also believed that here Goddess Parvathi bathed in the river to cool herself off from the fury of destroying demon Mahishasuran.

It is also believed that after Lord Shiva swallowed the poison (“Alakala Visham”), Goddess Parvathi penanced here for the welfare of her husband and to prevent any disturbance due to the intake of poison.

It is also believed that the Vedas in the form of bamboo are said to have penanced and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Pleased with their penance, Lord Shiva granted darshan to them in the form of fire and as requested by them he became a swayambu lingam. Hence the place is also called as Venuvanam.

Another legend is that the Rishis of Tharukavana grew proud of their penance and conducted a yagna to destroy Lord Shiva. But the Lord absorbed their evil designs and stopped their yagna. The Rishis realized their folly, performed penance to seek the lord’s pardon. Pleased with their penance, he forgave them and blessed. This is how the temple got the name, “Thiru Arul Thurai” – Place of Blessings. As he showered his Krupa-forgiveness (Krupa), the lord is praised as “Krupapureeswarar”.

Deities in the temple

The presiding deity is Thaduthatkonda Nathar and Goddess Mangalambikai, both are facing east.

Shrines and idols of Lords Vinayakar, Valampuri Vinayakar, Murugan, Pitchandavar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Mahavishnu, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Nalvar, Saptha Madakkal, Saint Arunandhi Sivam, Saint Meikandar and 63 Nayanmars and Navagraham can be seen in the corridors.

Dark stone idol in a niche, with yellow flowers on its head and a white and red cloth
Two black stone idols in cloths with flowers, with Tamil name boards above them
Standing black stone idol in a wall niche under a blue Tamil name board
Black stone lingam on a round base in front of a painted figure with a Tamil name board above
Black stone lingam with flowers on its base, below a wall board in blue and yellow Tamil text
Stone shrine with pillars and a closed door, a painted figure above and a person sitting in front

Salient features

As per the Sthala Puranam, “Polla Pillayar” (Lord Vinayakar) here is self-manifested. It is believed that Saint Meikandar was blessed by this Vinayakar. It is believed that in front of this Vinayakar only Meikandar explained the Shivagnanabotham to his disciples.

He is the first of the four “Santhana Kuravars”. He was born to his parents on the blessings of Lord Shiva. Meikandar was taught “Shivagnanam” by Sage Paranjothi in this place when he was three years old. After this, he became a great saivite guru. He is referred to as the pioneer and instrumental for the Saiva philosophy. He wrote here the “Shivagnanabotham”, the first saiva sidhantha sastra book. He was born in Pennadam but is believed to have lived here often as his maternal uncle lived in this place. The burial place (Gurumurtham) of Saint Meikandar is very near to this temple.

The Jyoti Lingam worshipped by the Navagrahas, the nine planets, is in this temple.
There are three more lingams in the temple – the Vijaya lingam worshiped by Arjuna seeking child boon, Sundara lingam worshiped by Devendra and Sankara lingam worshiped by Lord Mahavishnu.

Saint Arunagirinadhar has also sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. It is believed that Lord Murugan granted darshan to Saint Arunagirinathar in a dancing form with his peacock mount in this temple.

God of Dharma (righteousness) himself is believed to be in the temple in the form of Nandhi (Lord Shiva’s bull vehicle).

A small shrine of Saint Sundarar can be seen just opposite to the main tower.

Greatness of this temple

Since Sundarar started his hymns from here and the great Saivite Guru Meikandar received teaching /preaching here, devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here will bless them with mental peace, oratory skill and excellence in education. Also, those dumb are praying to him to gain speech skill.

It is the staunch belief of the devotees that their wedding proposals would be successful if they worship Nandhi, the bull mount of Lord Shiva, by offering two garlands and thereafter they take one to wear themselves.

Important festivals

The important festivals celebrated in this temple are –

Aadi Swathi star day in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug) with a two-day festival for Sundarar,

Aavani Puttu-pudding festival in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),

Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct – Nov), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan).

Oonchal festival to Goddess Mangalambikai in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb),

Mahashivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar),

10-day Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr).

Pradosham, Pournami and Sankadahara Chaturthi are observed regularly.

Temple timings

From 06.00 AM to 12.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 08.30 PM.

Temple address

Sri Krupapureeswarar Temple,
Thiruvennainallur Post and Taluk,
Villupuram District
Tamil Nadu - 607 203.
Tele: + 91 93456 60711.
The temple priest Sri Ravichandra Gurukkal can be contacted
at 077086 38986.

*
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Phone+ 91 93456 60711
Pillared hall with two Nandi figures and small figures on its roof, under a blue sky
Dark stone tower on the left, a flagstaff with a small Nandi at its base and a carved wall on the right
Stone hall with square pillars and a carved figure between two lions on the roof, devotees entering
Tall red flagstaff beside a small carved shrine under a metal roof, with a white tower behind

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

What is special here

Devotees pray here for mental peace, oratory skill, excellence in education and successful wedding proposals.

  1. Peace, speech and learningDevotees believe that worshiping the lord here will bless them with mental peace, oratory skill and excellence in education.
  2. Wedding proposalsWedding proposals are believed to succeed if devotees worship Nandhi by offering two garlands and then wear one themselves.
  3. The Jyoti LingamThe Jyoti Lingam worshipped by the Navagrahas, the nine planets, is in this temple.
  4. The God of Dharma as NandhiGod of Dharma (righteousness) himself is believed to be in the temple in the form of Nandhi.
  5. Meikandar's teachingThe great Saivite Guru Meikandar received teaching here and wrote the Shivagnanabotham.
Significance

Its place in the tradition

Where Sundarar sang his first Devaram song and was claimed by the Lord as his servant.

  1. A Devara Paadal Petra sthalamIt is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 14th in Nadu Naadu.
  2. Sundarar's first songSaint Sundarar sang his first Devaram song “Pitha Pirai Sudi Arulala” in this temple.
  3. Darshan on the bull mountIn this temple, Lord Shiva gave darshan in his bull mount to Sundarar.
  4. Murugan's dancing formLord Murugan is believed to have granted darshan to Saint Arunagirinathar in a dancing form with his peacock mount.
  5. An ancient templeThis ancient temple is one of the very old temples in Tamil Nadu.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for education, speech, a successful wedding and the festivals of Sundarar.

  1. For education: worship the lord hereSince Meikandar received teaching here, devotees believe worshiping the lord will bless them with excellence in education.
  2. For speech: pray to gain speech skillThose who are dumb pray to him to gain speech skill.
  3. For marriage: garlands for NandhiDevotees offer two garlands to Nandhi and wear one themselves, believing their wedding proposals will succeed.
  4. For the festivals: Sundarar's daysThe Aadi Swathi star day is celebrated with a two-day festival for Sundarar.
The main tower and a smaller tower at the entrance
276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams

The name Arul Thurai

  1. அருள்blessings
  2. துறைplace
  3. கிருபைforgiveness (Krupa)

The temple is also known as Arul Thurai, the Place of Blessings.

The place is also called Venuvanam

    Legends of the temple

    An old Brahmin stopped Sundarar's wedding in Thirunavalur, claimed him as his attendant and showed an ancient palm leaf manuscript.

    The old man disappeared at the sanctum, leaving his footwear. Lord Shiva asked Sundarar to begin with the word Pitha, and the first song came into being.

    Goddess Parvathi is believed to have done penance here in the midst of a fortress made of butter, so the place is known as Thiru Vennainallur.

    The Vedas in the form of bamboo are said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, and he became a swayambu lingam.

    The Rishis of Tharukavana grew proud and conducted a yagna to destroy Lord Shiva, but he stopped it and later forgave them.

    What devotees pray for

    • Mental peace and educationDevotees believe worshiping the lord here will bless them with mental peace and excellence in education.
    • Speech skillThose who are dumb pray to him to gain speech skill.
    • A successful weddingWedding proposals are believed to succeed if devotees worship Nandhi with two garlands.

    Education, speech and a successful wedding.

    Saints connected with the temple

    1. Saint SundararHe sang his first Devaram song in this temple.
    2. Saint MeikandarHe was taught Shivagnanam here by Sage Paranjothi and wrote the Shivagnanabotham.
    3. Saint ArunagirinadharHe sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his Thirupugazh.

    Saints who sang, studied or were blessed here.

    Festivals through the year

      From the Aadi Swathi festival for Sundarar to the ten-day Panguni Uthiram, with Pradosham observed regularly.

      Deities

      The deities of this temple

      * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

      From the sanctum to the corridors
      Moolavarத
      Moolavar

      Thaduthatkonda Nathar

      The presiding deity is Thaduthatkonda Nathar, facing east.

      Ambalம
      Ambal

      Mangalambikai

      Goddess Mangalambikai faces east, like the presiding deity.

      Standing black stone idol in a wall niche under a blue Tamil name board
      Shrine in the corridor

      Pitchandavar

      Shrines and idols of Pitchandavar can be seen in the corridors.

      Two black stone idols in cloths with flowers, with Tamil name boards above them
      Shrine in the corridor

      Mahavishnu

      Shrines and idols of Lord Mahavishnu can be seen in the corridors.

      Two black stone idols in cloths with flowers, with Tamil name boards above them
      Shrine in the corridor

      Saint Meikandar

      Shrines and idols of Saint Meikandar can be seen in the corridors.

      Self-manifested Vinayakarபி
      Self-manifested Vinayakar

      Polla Pillayar

      As per the Sthala Puranam, “Polla Pillayar” (Lord Vinayakar) here is self-manifested.

      Black stone lingam with flowers on its base, below a wall board in blue and yellow Tamil text
      Lingam in the temple

      Jyoti Lingam

      The Jyoti Lingam worshipped by the Navagrahas, the nine planets, is in this temple.

      Black stone lingam on a round base in front of a painted figure with a Tamil name board above
      Lingam in the temple

      Sundara lingam

      The Sundara lingam was worshiped by Devendra.

      Shrine near the main towerசு
      Shrine near the main tower

      Saint Sundarar

      A small shrine of Saint Sundarar can be seen just opposite to the main tower.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      2Thiruvennainallur Gramam Thiru Idayaru 1Thirunavalur Thiruvamathur Thiruthuraiyur Thiru Arayaninallur Thirukkovilur Puravaar Panangkatur Thiru Vadukur Thiruvakkarai Thirumanikkuzhi Thiruthinai Nagar
      You are hereThis temple

      Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Krupapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvennainallur Post and Taluk, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu - 607 203. The temple priest Sri Ravichandra Gurukkal can be contacted, at 077086 38986.

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 57.5 km in straight lines.

      Map of Thiruvennainallur and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Gramam, Thiru Idayaru, Thiru Arayaninallur, Thirukkovilur, Thiruvamathur. Thiruvennainallur 1 Gramam 2 Thiru Idayaru 3 Thiru Arayaninallur 4 5 Thiruvamathur 5 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

      Temple plan

      Carved stone tower beside a smaller tower, with palm trees and a shaded walkway below
      01

      Opposite the main tower

      A small shrine of Saint Sundarar can be seen just opposite to the main tower.

      1 / 6

      Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

      Pathigam

      Saint Sundarar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

      Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

      Pathigam No. 7.001

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Sundarar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 10.

      Pithāpiṟai sūṭīperu māṉē'aru ḷāḷā
      ethāṉmaṟa vāthēniṉaik kiṉṟēṉmaṉath thuṉṉai
      vaithāypeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ
      athā'uṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

      O madman who wears the crescent, great and gracious Lord, you kept me in your mind so that I think of you without forgetting. In Arutthurai at Vennainallur, on the south bank of the Pennai, O father, having been your servant before, may I now say that I am not?

      Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

      Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

      All ten verses

      1. 01

        பித்தாபிறை சூடீபெரு மானேஅரு ளாளாஎத்தான்மற வாதேநினைக் கின்றேன்மனத் துன்னைவைத்தாய்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் அத்தாஉனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Pithāpiṟai sūṭīperu māṉē'aru ḷāḷā / ethāṉmaṟa vāthēniṉaik kiṉṟēṉmaṉath thuṉṉai / vaithāypeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / athā'uṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        பித்தனே, பிறையைக் கண்ணியாகச் சூடியவனே,

        பெருமை உடையவனே, பெண்ணையாற்றின்

        தென்பால் உள்ள திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூரின்

        கண்ணதாகிய, `அருட்டுறை` என்னும் திருக்கோயிலின்கண் எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் தலைவனே, எனது நெஞ்சத்துள்

        உன்னை அகலாது வைத்தருளினாய்; அதனால்,

        எவ்வாற்றானும் உன்னை மறவாமலே நினைந்து,

        முன்பே உனக்கு அடியவனாகி, இப்பொழுது,

        `உனக்கு அடியவன் அல்லேன்` என எதிர்வழக்குப்

        பேசியது பொருந்துமோ!

      2. 02

        நாயேன்பல நாளும்நினைப் பின்றிமனத் துன்னைப்பேயாய்த்திரிந் தெய்த்தேன்பெற லாகாவருள் பெற்றேன்வேயார்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் ஆயாஉனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Nāyēṉpala nāḷumniṉaip piṉtṟimaṉath thuṉṉaip / pēyāythirin theythēṉpeṟa lākāvaruḷ petṟēṉ / vēyārpeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / āyā'uṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        மூங்கில்கள் நிறைந்து வரும் பெண்ணையாற்றின்

        தென்பால் உள்ள திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூரின்

        கண்ணதாகிய அருட்டுறைத் திருக்கோயிலின்கண்

        எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் தலைவனே, நாய் போலும்

        கீழ்மையுடையேனாகிய யான் உன்னை எனது

        இளைய நாள்கள் பலவற்றினும் மனத்தால்

        நினைத்தல் இன்றிப் பேய்போல அலைந்து இளைத்தேன்;

        ஆயினும், இதுபோழ்து, பெறுதற்கு அரிய உனது

        திருவருளை நான் பெற்றேன். இப்பேற்றை எனக்கு

        அளிக்க வந்த உனக்கு, முன்பே நான் அடியவனாகி,

        இப்பொழுது, `அடியவன் அல்லேன்` என எதிர்வழக்குப்

        பேசியது பொருந்துமோ!

      3. 03

        மன்னேமற வாதேநினைக் கின்றேன்மனத் துன்னைப்பொன்னேமணி தானேவயி ரம்மேபொரு துந்திமின்னார்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் அன்னேஉனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Maṉṉēmaṟa vāthēniṉaik kiṉtṟēṉmaṉath thuṉṉaip / poṉṉēmaṇi thāṉēvayi ram'mēporu thunthi / miṉṉārpeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / aṉṉē'uṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        தலைவனே, கரையை மோதி, பொன்னும் மணியும்,

        வயிரமும் ஆகிய இவற்றைத் தள்ளிக்கொண்டு,

        ஒளிமிக்கு வருகின்ற பெண்ணையாற்றின் தென்பால்

        உள்ள திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூரின் கண்ணதாகிய

        அருட்டுறைத் திருக்கோயிலின்கண் எழுந்தருளியுள்ள

        தாய் போன்றவனே, உனக்கு நான் முன்பே அடியவனாகி,

        இப்பொழுது, `அடியவன் அல்லேன்` என்று

        எதிர்வழக்குப் பேசியது பொருந்துமோ! இனிமேல்,

        உன்னை என் மனத்தில் ஒருபோதும் மறவாமலே

        நினைப்பேன்.

      4. 04

        முடியேன்இனிப் பிறவேன்பெறின் மூவேன்பெற்றம் ஊர்தீகொடியேன்பல பொய்யேஉரைப் பேனைக்குறிக் கொள்நீசெடியார்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் அடிகேளுனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Muṭiyēṉiṉip piṟavēṉpeṟiṉ mūvēṉpetṟam ūrthī / koṭiyēṉpala poyyē'uraip pēṉaikkuṟik koḷnī / seṭiyārpeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / aṭikēḷuṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        இடபத்தை ஊர்பவனே, ஒளி நிறைந்த பெண்ணை

        யாற்றின் தென்பால் உள்ள திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூரின்

        கண்ணதாகிய அருட்டுறைத் திருக்கோயிலின்கண்

        எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் தலைவனே, உனக்கு

        நான் முன்பே அடியவனாகி, இப்பொழுது,

        `அடியவன் அல்லேன்` என எதிர்வழக்குப்

        பேசியது பொருந்துமோ! அப்பொருந்தாமையை

        அகற்றி என்னை நீ தெளிவித் தருளினமையால்,

        இனி நான் இறக்கவும், மீளப் பிறக்கவும்,

        இவ்வுலகில் வாழப் பெறின் மூப் படைந்து வருந்தவும்

        ஆற்றேனாகின்றேன். நெறிகோடினேனாகிப்

        பொய்ம்மைகள் பலவற்றையே பேசுவேனாகிய

        என்னை நீ வெறாது ஏற்றருள்.

      5. 05

        பாதம்பணி வார்கள்பெறும் பண்டமது பணியாய்ஆதன்பொரு ளானேன்அறி வில்லேன்அரு ளாளாதாதார்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் ஆதீஉனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Pāthampaṇi vārkaḷpeṟum paṇṭamathu paṇiyāy / āthaṉporu ḷāṉēṉaṟi villēṉaru ḷāḷā / thāthārpeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / āthī'uṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        அருளாளனே, பூக்களின் மகரந்தம் நிறைந்த

        பெண்ணையாற்றின் தென்பால் உள்ள

        திருவெண்ணெய் நல்லூரின் கண்ணதாகிய

        அருட்டுறைத் திருக்கோயிலின்கண் எழுந்தருளியுள்ள

        முதல்வனே, உனக்கு நான் முன்பே அடியவனாகி,

        இப்பொழுது, `அடியவன் அல்லேன்` என எதிர்

        வழக்குப் பேசியது பொருந்துமோ! அப்பொருந்தாச்

        செய்கையைச் செய்தமையால் அறிவில்லேனாயினேன்;

        அதனால், `ஆதன்` என்னும் சொற்குப் பொருளாயினேன்;

        ஆயினும், என்னை இகழாது உன் திருவடியை

        வணங்கி வாழ்கின்ற அறிவர் பெறும் பேற்றை அளித்தருள்.

      6. 06

        தண்ணார்மதி சூடீதழல் போலுந்திரு மேனீஎண்ணார்புரம் மூன்றும்எரி யுண்ணநகை செய்தாய்மண்ணார்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் அண்ணாஉனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Thaṇṇārmathi chūṭīthazhal pōlunthiru mēṉī / eṇṇārpuram mūṉṟumeri yuṇṇanakai seythāy / maṇṇārpeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / aṇṇā'uṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        தட்பம் நிறைந்த திங்களைச் சூடியவனே, நெருப்புப்

        போலும் திருமேனியை உடையவனே, உன்னை

        மதியாதவரது அரண்கள் மூன்றையும் தீ

        உண்ணும்படி சிரித்தவனே, மூழ்குவோரது

        பாவத்தைக் கழுவுதல் பொருந்திய பெண்ணையாற்றின்

        தென்பால் உள்ள திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூரின்

        கண்ணதாகிய அருட்டுறைத் திருக்கோயிலின்கண்

        எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் தலைவனே, உனக்கு நான்

        முன்பே அடியவனாகி, இப்பொழுது, `அடியவன்

        அல்லேன்` என எதிர்வழக்குப் பேசியது பொருந்துமோ!

      7. 07

        ஊனாய்உயிர் ஆனாய்உடல் ஆனாய்உல கானாய்வானாய்நிலன் ஆனாய்கடல் ஆனாய்மலை ஆனாய்தேனார்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் ஆனாயுனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Uṉāyuyir āṉāyuṭal āṉāyula kāṉāy / vāṉāynilaṉ āṉāykaṭal āṉāymalai āṉāy / thēṉārpeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / āṉāyuṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        பூக்களின் தேன் நிறைந்த பெண்ணையாற்றின்

        தென்பால் உள்ள திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூரின்

        கண்ணதாகிய அருட்டுறைத் திருக்கோயிலின்

        கண் நீங்காது எழுந்தருளியிருப்பவனே, நீ

        உடலிடத்து நின்று பொருள்களை உணர்ந்து

        வருகின்ற உயிர்கள் ஆகியும், அவைகள் நிற்கின்ற

        அவ்வுடல்களாகியும், வானாகியும், நிலமாகியும்,

        கடலாகியும், மலையாகியும் நிற்கின்றாய்;

        இப்பெற்றியன் ஆகிய உனக்கு நான் முன்பே

        அடியவனாகி, இப்பொழுது, `அடியவன் அல்லேன்`

        என எதிர்வழக்குப் பேசியது பொருந்துமோ!

      8. 08

        ஏற்றார்புரம் மூன்றும்எரி உண்ணச்சிலை தொட்டாய்தேற்றாதன சொல்லித்திரி வேனோசெக்கர் வானீர்ஏற்றாய்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் ஆற்றாயுனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Ētṟārpuram mūṉtṟumeri uṇṇachchilai thoṭṭāy / thētṟāthaṉa sollithiri vēṉōsekkar vāṉīr / ētṟāypeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / ātṟāyuṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        பெண்ணையாற்றின் தென்பால் உள்ள திரு வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரின்கண்ணதாகிய அருட்டுறைத் திருக்

        கோயிலின் கண் எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும்

        நன்னெறியானவனே, நீ உனக்குப் பகையாய்

        எதிர்ந்தவர்களது அரண்கள் மூன்றையும் தீ

        உண்ணும்படி, போர் செய்து அழித்தாய். சிவந்த

        சடையிடத்து ஆகாய கங்கையைத் தாங்கினாய்.

        அப்பெருமைகளை அறியாமை காரணமாகத்

        தோன்றும் சொற்களைச் சொல்லி நான் வீணே

        உழல்வேனோ! அங்ஙனம் உழலும் நெறியானே,

        முன்பு உனக்கு அடியவனாயதற்கு மாறாக

        இப்பொழுது, `அடியவன் அல்லேன்` என

        எதிர்வழக்குப் பேசியது பொருந்துமோ!

      9. 09

        மழுவாள்வலன் ஏந்தீமறை ஓதீமங்கை பங்காதொழுவார்அவர் துயர்ஆயின தீர்த்தல்உன தொழிலேசெழுவார்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் அழகாஉனக் காளாயினிஅல்லேன்என லாமே

        Mazhuvāḷvalaṉ ēnthīmaṟai ōthīmaṅkai paṅkā / thozhuvār'avar thuyar'āyiṉa thīrthaluṉa thozhilē / chezhuvārpeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / azhakā'uṉak kāḷāyiṉi allēṉeṉa lāmē

        மழுப்படையை வலப்பக்கத்தில் ஏந்தியவனே,

        வேதத்தை ஓதுபவனே, உமையை ஒரு பாகத்தில்

        உடையவனே, செழுமை வாய்ந்து இடையறாது

        ஒழுகுகின்ற பெண்ணையாற்றின் தென் பால் உள்ள

        திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூரில் உள்ள அருட்டுறைத்

        திருக் கோயிலில் எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் அழகேன,

        உன்னை வணங்குவாரது துன்பங்களை நீக்குதல்

        உனது தொழில் என்பதனால், என்னை வலிந்து

        ஆட்கொள்ள வந்தாய். அதனை அறியாது,

        முன்பே உனக்கு அடியவனாகியதனை மறுத்து,

        இப்பொழுது, `அடியவன் அல்லேன்` என

        எதிர்வழக்குப் பேசியது பொருந்துமோ!

      10. 10

        காரூர்புனல் எய்திக்கரை கல்லித்திரைக் கையாற்பாரூர்புகழ் எய்தித்திகழ் பன்மாமணி உந்திச்சீரூர்பெண்ணைத் தென்பால்வெண்ணெய்நல்லூரருட் டுறையுள் ஆரூரனெம் பெருமாற்காள்அல்லேன்என லாமே

        In the last verse, Sundarar again asks whether he may say he is not the servant of the Lord of Arutthurai, after praising the Pennai river that carries gems along its banks.

        Kārūrpuṉal eythikkarai kallitthraik kaiyāṟ / pārūrpukazh eythiththikazh paṉmāmaṇi unthich / chīrūrpeṇṇaith theṉpālveṇṇey nallūraruṭ ṭuṟaiyuḷ / ārūraṉem perumāṟkāḷ allēṉeṉa lāmē

        மேகத்தினின்றும் ஒழுகும் தன்மையை உடைய நீர்

        திரண்டு பொருந்தி, அலைகளாகிய கைகளால்

        கரையைக் குத்தி, நிலம் முழுதும் பரவிய

        புகழைப்பெற்று, ஒளி விளங்குகின்ற பல சிறந்த

        மணிகளைத் தள்ளிவந்து, அழகு மிகுகின்ற

        பெண்ணையாற்றின் தென் பால் உள்ள

        திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூரில் உள்ள அருட்டுறைத்

        திருக் கோயிலில் எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும்

        எம்பெருமானுக்கு, ஆரூரன் `அடியவனல்லேன்`

        என எதிர்வழக்குப் பேசியது பொருந்துமோ!

      Photos

      Photographs

      13 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

      Carved stone tower beside a smaller tower, with palm trees and a shaded walkway below
      Two carved stone towers against a blue sky, with a roof shelter beneath them
      A clump of bamboo on a stone platform with small idols and a pot, beside a painted wall
      Dark stone idol in a niche, with yellow flowers on its head and a white and red cloth
      Two black stone idols in cloths with flowers, with Tamil name boards above them
      Standing black stone idol in a wall niche under a blue Tamil name board
      Black stone lingam on a round base in front of a painted figure with a Tamil name board above
      Black stone lingam with flowers on its base, below a wall board in blue and yellow Tamil text
      Stone shrine with pillars and a closed door, a painted figure above and a person sitting in front
      Pillared hall with two Nandi figures and small figures on its roof, under a blue sky
      Dark stone tower on the left, a flagstaff with a small Nandi at its base and a carved wall on the right
      Stone hall with square pillars and a carved figure between two lions on the roof, devotees entering
      Tall red flagstaff beside a small carved shrine under a metal roof, with a white tower behind