Sri Pakthajaneswarar Temple at Thirunavalur.

Visited on: Sunday, 18^th September, 2016.

Location 

Thirunavalur is situated at a distance of about 28 kms from Villupuram. On the Villupuram to Trichy National Highway (bypass), at the Gadilam junction, there is an overbridge. Take the service road under this bridge to get on to the Panruti road. Continue on this road further for about 3 kms to reach this temple.

The temple is 12 kms from Panruti on the Panruti to Ulundoorpettai road and it is 15 kms from Ulundoorpettai. 

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

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 8^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) who is believed to have appeared in the midst of Jambu trees (Naaval).
• This is the birth place of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, one of the four great Saints (Nalvar) and one of the 63 Nayanmars.
• This temple’s entrance has a 5- tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors.

History of the Temple

Thirunavalur is situated in the erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu and is in between the rivers Gadilam and Pennai. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest one and is said to have existed here even before the 4 yugas. This temple was earlier called “Thiruthondeecharam” and the place around it was called Thirunavalur and Jambunathapuri. However, it is now called Thirunamanallur.

As per the stone inscriptions available in this temple, the Chola king Rajathithan, son of Paranthakan-I, renovated and expanded this temple.

Legend

It is said that Goddess Parvathi, Lord Brahma, Lord Mahavishnu, Chandikeswarar, Sukran, Indran, Ashtathik Balakars, Suryan, Saptharishis and Garudan have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.

Also, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, and his parents Sadaya Nayanar and Isaignaniyar and his foster father Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. All of them find a place among the 63 Nayanmars.

As advised by Goddess Parvathi, Sukrachariyar (Sukran) worshipped the Lord Shiva here and got relieved from “Vakra dhosham”. The lingam installed and worshiped by Sukran is named as “Bhargaveeswarar” and it can be seen in the temple’s corridors.

Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here to seek his blessings before taking the “Narasimha Avatar” to destroy demon Hiranyan (Pragalad’s father). There is a separate shrine for Sri Varadaraja Perumal (Lord Mahavishnu) in this temple.

It is also believed that Goddess Parvathi worshipped Lord Shiva here before their wedding.

It is believed that Sivapriyar, a Shiva devogtee, worshipped Lord Shiva here and attained the post of Chandikeswarar. Beautifully engraved reliefs depicting the life of Chandikeswarar can be seen in this temple.

It is also believed that in a fight between Garudan and the Serpent Aadhiseshan, Garudan had turned blue after coming in contact with Aadhiseshan’s venom. Garudan prayed to Lord Shiva here and got relief from his ailment. 

Deities in the Temple

Goddess Parvathi is in a separate temple and can be seen in a meditative posture. It is interesting to see that her hair is not braided or tied. The temples of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi are facing east.

Shrines and idols of Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan with his consorts can be seen in the corridors. In this temple, Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen in a standing posture with his bull mount but without Muyalagan under his feet.

Lingams worshiped by Saptha Rishikals, Pollapillayar, Sekkizhar, Gajalakshmi, Navagraham, Sri Bhargaveeswarar, Suryan and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors.

In the corridors, there are Shiva lingams that are believed to have been worshipped by Lord Mahavishnu in Kirutha yugam, Chandikeswarar in Thretha yugam, Lord Brahma in Dwabara yugam, and Saint Sundarar in Kali yugam.

The beautiful procession idols made of bronze (Utsava Murthy) of Lord Natarajar with Sivakami Amman, Vinayakar, Murugan, Bhikshandavar, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar with his two wives and the Nalvar can be seen in the temple’s hall.

There is a Shivalingam in the inner corridor that is believed to have been worshiped by King Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar, foster father of Saint Sundamurthy Nayanar.

Salient Features

Lord Dakshinamurthy’s idol here is in a standing posture with his bull (Rishabha Vahan) and is believed to have given darshan to Saint Sundarar. It is believed that worshiping Lord Dakshinamurthy here is especially auspicious for those born during the time of the “Poorada nakshatram”. 

This is the birth place of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, who is also known affectionately as “Thampiran Thozhan” (Lord Shiva’s comrade). He was an eighth-century poet who was one of the most prominent Nayanmars. The hymns (Pathigams) rendered by him are called “Thiruppattu”. A separate shrine for Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar with his wives Sangili Nachiyar and Paravai Nachiyar can be seen in the temple. You can read more about Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar’s life here.

Near this temple, a mutt (madam) is being constructed to commemorate the birth place of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar. 

In his hymn, Saint Sundarar referred to the lord of this temple as “Sri Thirunavaleesan” (Naaval is the sthala viruksham here and it means “Jambu” in Sanskrit). The lord is also praised as “Sri Jambu Natheswarar” and the place is referred to as “Thirunama Nallur”. 

This is said to be the star temple for those born during the time of “Rohini Nakshatram” as this temple’s sthala viriksham (Naaval tree) is associated with the “Rohini Nakshatram”.

Contrary to its normal position in the Navagraham, Sun (Suryan) is facing east (facing Lord Shiva).

It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam for five days (23^rd to 27^th of the Tamil month of Pankuni).

In the wall of the sanctum, there are beautifully carved reliefs depicting the life of Chandikeswarar.

Saint Arunagirinadhar has also sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Saint Thirunavukkarasar’s birth place Thiruvamur is very near to this place.

Greatness of this temple

Since Sukran is believed to have worshiped the lord here, it is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva here devotees will get relief from “Sukra Dosham”.

Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here will remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.

As this temple is considered especially auspicious for the Rohini Nakshatram, devotees who are born in the period of this constellation visit this temple for worship.

Important Festivals

Almost all festivals are celebrated in this temple. The important ones are –

Saint Sundararamurthy Nayanar’s birthday (Janana Vizha) in the Tamil month of Avani (Aug-Sept) on the day of the “Uthiram” star day,

Sundarar’s Guru Pooja in the Tamil month of Adi (July-Aug) on the day of the “Swathi” star, and

Car festival (Ther) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May).

Pradosham is also observed regularly. 

Temple Timings 

From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Pakthajaneswarar Temple,
Thirunavalur,
Ulunthurpettai Taluk,
Villupuram District,
Tamil Nadu - 607 204.

The temple priests can be contacted at:–
Sri S.Chandrasekara Gurukkal : 09943359480 & 09600621719
Sri R.Senthil Gurukkal : 04149-224391.

Pathigam (Hymn) with English transliteration

Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.
Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

கோவலன் நான்முகன் வானவர்
கோனுங்குற் றேவல்செய்ய
மேவலர் முப்புரந் தீயெழு
வித்தவன் ஓரம்பினால்
ஏவல னார்வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரில்
வைத்தெனை யாளுங்கொண்ட
நாவல னார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Kōvalaṉ nāṉmukaṉ vāṉavar
kōṉuṅkuṟ tṟēvalseyya
mēvalar muppuran thīyezhu
vithavaṉ ōrampiṉāl
ēvala ṉārveṇṇey nallūril
vaitheṉai yāḷuṅkoṇṭa
nāvala ṉārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

தன்மையி னாலடி யேனைத்தாம்
ஆட்கொண்ட நாட்சபைமுன்
வன்மைகள் பேசிட வன்றொண்டன்
என்பதோர் வாழ்வுதந்தார்
புன்மைகள் பேசவும் பொன்னைத்தந்
தென்னைப்போ கம்புணர்த்த
நன்மையி னார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Thaṉmaiyi ṉālaṭi yēṉaithām
āṭkoṇṭa nāṭsapaimuṉ
vaṉmaikaḷ pēsiṭa vaṉtṟoṇṭaṉ
eṉpathōr vāzhvuthanthār
puṉmaikaḷ pēsavum poṉṉaithan
theṉṉaippō kampuṇartha
naṉmaiyi ṉārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

வேகங்கொண் டோ டிய வெள்விடை
ஏறியோர் மெல்லியலை
ஆகங்கொண் டார்வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரில்
வைத்தெனை ஆளுங்கொண்டார்
போகங்கொண் டார் கடற் கோடியின்
மோடியைப் பூண்பதாக
நாகங்கொண் டார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Vēkaṅkoṇ ṭō ṭiya veḷviṭai
ēṟiyōr melliyalai
ākaṅkoṇ ṭārveṇṇey nallūril
vaitheṉai āḷuṅkoṇṭār
pōkaṅkoṇ ṭār kaṭaṟ kōṭiyiṉ
mōṭiyaip pūṇpathāka
nākaṅkoṇ ṭārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

அஞ்சுங்கொண் டாடுவர் ஆவினிற்
சேவினை ஆட்சிகொண்டார்
தஞ்சங்கொண் டாரடிச் சண்டியைத்
தாமென வைத்துகந்தார்
நெஞ்சங்கொண் டார்வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரில்
வைத்தெனை ஆளுங்கொண்டு
நஞ்சங்கொண் டார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Añchuṅkoṇ ṭāṭuvar āviṉiṟ
chēviṉai āṭchikoṇṭār
thañjaṅkoṇ ṭāraṭich chaṇṭiyaith
thāmeṉa vaithukanthār
neñjaṅkoṇ ṭārveṇṇey nallūril
vaitheṉai āḷuṅkoṇṭu
nañchaṅkoṇ ṭārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

உம்பரார் கோனைத்திண் டோ ள்முரித்
தாருரித் தார்களிற்றைச்
செம்பொனார் தீவண்ணர் தூவண்ண
நீற்றரோர் ஆவணத்தால்
எம்பிரா னார்வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரில்
வைத்தெனை ஆளுங்கொண்ட
நம்பிரா னார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Umparār kōṉaithiṇ ṭō ḷmurith
thārurith tāhrkaḷitṟaich
chempoṉār thīvaṇṇar thūvaṇṇa
nītṟarōr āvaṇathāl
empirā ṉārveṇṇey nallūril
vaitheṉai āḷuṅkoṇṭa
nampirā ṉārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

கோட்டங்கொண் டார்குட மூக்கிலுங்
கோவலுங் கோத்திட்டையும்
வேட்டங்கொண் டார்வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரில்
வைத்தெனை ஆளுங்கொண்டார்
ஆட்டங்கொண் டார்தில்லைச் சிற்றம்
பலத்தே அருக்கனைமுன்
நாட்டங்கொண் டார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Kōṭṭaṅkoṇ ṭārkuṭa mūkkiluṅ
kōvaluṅ kōthiṭaiyum
vēṭṭaṅkoṇ ṭārveṇṇey nallūril
vaitheṉai āḷuṅkoṇṭār
āṭṭaṅkoṇ ṭārthillaich chiṟtam
palathē arukkaṉaimuṉ
nāṭṭaṅkoṇ ṭārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

தாயவ ளாய்த்தந்தை யாகிச்
சாதல் பிறத்தலின்றிப்
போயக லாமைத்தன் பொன்னடிக்
கென்னைப் பொருந்தவைத்த
வேயவ னார்வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரில்
வைத்தெனை ஆளுங்கொண்ட
நாயக னார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Thāyava ḷāythanthai yākich
chāthal piṟathaliṉtṟip
pōyaka lāmaitthṉ poṉṉaṭik
keṉṉaip porunthavaitha
vēyava ṉārveṇṇey nallūril
vaitheṉai āḷuṅkoṇṭa
nāyaka ṉārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

வாயாடி மாமறை ஓதியோர்
வேதிய னாகிவந்து
தீயாடி யார்சினக் கேழலின்
பின்சென்றோர் வேடுவனாய்
வேயாடி யார்வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரில்
வைத்தெனை ஆளுங்கொண்ட
நாயாடி யார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Vāyāṭi māmaṟai ōthiyōr
vēthiya ṉākivanthu
thīyāṭi yārsiṉak kēzhaliṉ
piṉseṉtṟōr vēṭuvaṉāy
vēyāṭi yārveṇṇey nallūril
vaitheṉai āḷuṅkoṇṭa
nāyāṭi yārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

படமாடு பாம்பணை யானுக்கும்
பாவைநல் லாள்தனக்கும்
வடமாடு மால்விடை ஏற்றுக்கும்
பாகனாய் வந்தொருநாள்
இடமாடி யார்வெண்ணெய் நல்லூரில்
வைத்தெனை ஆளுங்கொண்ட
நடமாடி யார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Paṭamāṭu pāmpaṇai yāṉukkum
pāvainal lāḷthaṉakkum
vaṭamāṭu mālviṭai ētṟukkum
pākaṉāy vanthorunāḷ
iṭamāṭi yārveṇṇey nallūril
vaitheṉai āḷuṅkoṇṭa
naṭamāṭi yārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

மிடுக்குண்டென் றோடியோர் வெற்பெடுத்
தான்வலி யைநெரித்தார்
அடக்கங்கொண் டாவணங் காட்டிநல்
வெண்ணெயூர் ஆளுங்கொண்டார்
தடுக்கவொண் ணாததோர் வேழத்
தினையுரித் திட்டுமையை
நடுக்கங்கண் டார்க்கிட மாவது
நந்திரு நாவலூரே.

“Miṭukkuṇṭeṉ tṟōṭiyōr veṟpeṭuth
thāṉvali yainerithār
aṭakkaṅkoṇ ṭāvaṇaṅ kāṭṭinal
veṇṇeyūr āḷuṅkoṇṭār
thaṭukkavoṇ ṇāthathōr vēzhath
thiṉaiyurith thiṭṭumaiyai
naṭukkaṅkaṇ ṭārkkiṭa māvathu
nanthiru nāvalūrē”.

நாதனுக் கூர்நமக் கூர்நர
சிங்க முனையரையன்
ஆதரித் தீசனுக் காட்செயும்
ஊரணி நாவலூரென்
றோதநற் றக்கவன் றொண்டன்
ஆரூரன் உரைத்ததமிழ்
காதலித் துங்கற்றுங் கேட்பவர்
தம்வினை கட்டறுமே.

“Nāthaṉuk kūrnamak kūrnara
siṅka muṉaiyaraiyaṉ
ātharith thīsaṉuk kāṭseyum
ūraṇi nāvalūreṉ
tṟōthanatṟ akkavaṉ tṟoṇṭaṉ
ārūraṉ uraithathamizh
kāthalith thuṅkatṟuṅ kēṭpavar
thamviṉai kaṭṭaṟumē”.