Visited on: Sunday, 18th 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
- Moolavar
- Sri Naavaleeswarar, Sri Bhakta Janeswarar, Sri Jambu Natheswarar
- Ambal
- Sri Manonmani, Sri Sundaranayaki, Sri Naavalambigai
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Gadilam River, Gomukhi Theertham, River Garuda
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Naaval (Jambu)
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar (Sundarar)
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 8th 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 devotee, 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 Sundaramurthy 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). Hewas 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 (23rd to 27th 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 Sundaramurthy 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.
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