Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
A tall colorful temple tower beside palm trees and weathered stone halls
Swayambu

Puravaar Panangkatur Sri Panangatteswarar Temple 20th of 22 in Nadu Nadu · Temples near Pondicherry

Darshan today6:00 am – 11:00 am, 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Moolavar
Panangatteswarar, Nethrotharaneswarar,Kannamarntha Nayanar
Ambal
Sathyambikai, Meyyambikai, Puravambikai
Theertham
Padma Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Palm tree (panai)
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

Visited on: 17th September, 2016

Location

Panayapuram is at a distance of about 12 kms from Villupuram and 3 kms from Mundiambakkam. It is on the Pondicherry to Mundiambakkam route. The temple is hardly one km away from the Vikravandi tollgate on the Panruti / Kumbakonam route.

Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near Panayapuram are: Thiruvamathur (13 kms), Thiruthuraiyur (24 kms) and Thirumundeeswaram (Gramam) (29 kms).

General information

Moolavar
Sri Panangatteswarar, Sri Nethrotharaneswarar,
Sri Kannamarntha Nayanar
Ambal
Sri Sathyambikai, Sri Meyyambikai, Sri Puravambikai
Theertham (Holy water)
Padma Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Palm tree (panai)
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 20th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • This is one of the few temples that has palm tree as its “sthala viruksham”.
  • This temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 4-tiers.
  • The last Consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 02.06.2004 and prior to that in the year 1971.

History of the temple

This temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Kulothungan-I.

It is believed that once this place was densely populated with palm trees. This place is called “Puravaar Panangkatur” because “Puravaar” in Tamil means forest and Panangkatur means full of palm trees. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar has also mentioned this place as Puravaar Panangkatur in his hymns.

Of the 276 Paadal Petra Shivasthalams, very few temples have Palm tree (Panai) as their Sthala Viruksham. This temple is one of them. They are - Thiru Panaiyur, Thiru Vanparthan Panankattur, Thiru Puravaar Panankattur, Thiru Cheyyar, Thiru Mazhapadi, Thiru Valampuram and Thiruppanandal.

A tall colorful tower over a stone gateway with a Tamil name board

Legend

The legend is that Dakshan (father of Goddess Parvathi) once performed a yagna where he invited all the devas (celestial gods) but intentionally left out Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was angered by this slight and all the devas who attended the yagna and consumed the yagna-food (avirbhaagam) became the object of his fury.

Lord Shiva instructed Aghora Veerabhadrar to go to Dakshan’s yagna-hall and punish all the devas. Aghora Veerabhadrar carried out the lord’s instruction and as a result the Sun God (Suryan) who was one of the attendees lost his eye sight and lustre. To seek Lord Shiva’s forgiveness, Suryan went to several holy places and offered his prayers. It was finally at this place (Puravaar Panangkattur) that Suryan’s eye sight and his brightness were restored. Hence, Lord Shiva is also praised here as “Kan parithu aruliya kadavul” (the God who took and later restored the eye sight).

As Suryan got back his brightness at this temple, it is believed that every year, he worships Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi for a period of seven days from the 1st day of the Tamil New year by illuminating the idols in the two sanctums.

Another legend associated with this place is that of the Chola Emperor Sibi Chakravarthi. It is believed that once, a pigeon that was being hunted by a vulture surrendered to the King and sought his help. He immediately cut a portion of his thigh flesh equivalent to the weight of the pigeon and offered it as food to the vulture instead. This deed came to the notice of Lord Shiva who appreciated his generosity, gave him his dharisanam and offered him salvation (moksham). In order to celebrate this event and to honour King Sibi, his descendants built a beautiful temple at this place.

A tall flagstaff and seated bull statue in the courtyard by the tower
A small white shrine with guardian lions, a palm and the far tower
Black stone saints draped in cloth, the middle pair holding a staff
Two stone bulls flanking a small draped shrine before palm trunks
Tall palm trunks towering above a small shrine and bull statues
A small green shrine crowned with painted Vinayakar and bull figures
Colorful gods and a peacock on a shrine roof, a devotee praying below
A black stone slab carved with a seated Vinayakar by the entrance

Deities in the temple


In the inner corridors idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan, Saneeswarar, Suryan, 63 Nayanmars, Saptamaathas, Lord Mahavishnu, Gajalakshmi, Bikshaantavar, Dakshinamurthi, Bala Dandayuthapani, Vallabha Vinayakar, Brahma, Durgai, Chantikeswarar, Navagrahams and others can be seen.

There are also separate shrines for Lords Natarajar and Somaskandar.

Salient features

There are four sacred palm trees in the outer corridor.

There is a rare idol of Thiruneelakandar (one of the 63 Nayanmars) and his wife where both of them are holding a staff and standing in praying posture.

There is also a rare rock relief depicting Lord Vinayakar (Polla Pillaiyar) at the entrance. This relief has been made using stone tools.

In the 11th stanza of his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar said that those who recite his hymn of this temple, will get a place at Lord Shiva’s abode.

Greatness of this temple

It is believed by devotees that worshipping Lord Shiva here would cure their eye sight related problems.

Devotees also pray to Lord Shiva here for the removal of hurdles from marriage proposals, to attain knowledge and wisdom.

Important festivals

Amongst others, Surya Pooja in the Tamil month of Chithirai, Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Chithirai, Maha Shivarathiri in the Tamil month of Masi, Thiruvaathirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi and Annabhishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi are celebrated in a grand manner.

Temple timings

From 06.00 AM to 11.00 AM and from 04.00 PM to 08.30 PM.

Temple address

Sri Panangatteswarar Temple,
Panaiyapuram Post
Mundiyampakkam Via
Villupuram District
Tamil Nadu - 605 601.
Tele: +91 9942056781.

The temple priest Sri S.Ganesan Gurukkal can be contacted at 094448 97861.

*
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Today6:00 am – 11:00 am, 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Phone+91 9942056781

Highlights

What makes this temple special

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

Greatness

The Lord who restores eyesight

Devotees believe worship here cures eyesight problems, and the temple keeps rare idols found in few other shrines.

  1. Cure for eye ailmentsWorshipping Lord Shiva here is believed to cure eyesight-related problems.
  2. Thiruneelakandar with his wifeA rare idol shows Thiruneelakandar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, and his wife holding a staff in praying posture.
  3. Polla Pillaiyar rock reliefA rare rock relief of Lord Vinayakar at the entrance, made using stone tools.
Significance

A Thevaram shrine of Nadu Naadu

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar rendered this temple's Pathigam; it is the 20th Shiva Sthalam of Nadu Naadu among the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.

  1. Thirugnanasambanthar's PathigamSaint Thirugnanasambanthar rendered the Pathigam of this temple.
  2. 20th Sthalam of Nadu NaaduOne of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, and the 20th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
  3. Suryan's legendSuryan lost his eyesight at Dakshan's sacrifice and regained it here, so Lord Shiva is praised as the God who took and later restored the eyesight.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees pray for relief from eye ailments and marriage hurdles and for knowledge and wisdom, and gather for the Chithirai festivals.

  1. For eyesightFor cure of eyesight-related problems: devotees believe worshipping Lord Shiva here heals them.
  2. For marriageFor removal of hurdles from marriage proposals.
  3. For knowledge and wisdomDevotees pray to Lord Shiva here to attain knowledge and wisdom.
  4. For Surya PoojaFor the Surya Pooja and Brahmotsavam celebrated grandly in the Tamil month of Chithirai.
The Rajagopuram and entrance with the temple name board
276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

A Paadal Petra Sthalam

What the name means

  1. புறவார்forest
  2. பனங்காட்டூர்full of palm trees

The place is called Puravaar Panangkatur because Puravaar means forest and Panangkatur means full of palm trees.

    Two legends

    Suryan lost his eyesight and lustre for attending Dakshan's sacrifice; worshipping Shiva at several holy places, he finally regained them here.

    A pigeon hunted by a vulture sought King Sibi's help; he gave flesh from his own thigh instead, and Lord Shiva blessed him with salvation.

    Saints of this temple

    1. Saint ThirugnanasambantharHe sang this temple's Pathigam, promising in its 11th stanza a place at Shiva's abode to those who recite it.
    2. ThiruneelakandarOne of the 63 Nayanmars, honoured here with a rare idol of him and his wife holding a staff.

    Festivals through the year

      Surya Pooja and Brahmotsavam in Chithirai, Maha Shivarathiri in Masi, Thiruvaathirai in Markazhi and Annabhishekam in Aippasi are celebrated grandly.

      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
      Moolavarசி
      Moolavar

      Sri Panangatteswarar

      Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). He is praised as Sri Panangatteswarar, Sri Nethrotharaneswarar and Sri Kannamarntha Nayanar.

      Ambalஅ
      Ambal

      Sri Sathyambikai

      Sri Sathyambikai, also praised as Sri Meyyambikai and Sri Puravambikai.

      A small green shrine crowned with painted Vinayakar and bull figures
      Idol in the corridor

      Vinayakar

      An idol of Vinayakar can be seen in the inner corridors.

      Idol in the corridorமு
      Idol in the corridor

      Murugan

      An idol of Murugan can be seen in the inner corridors.

      Idol in the corridorச
      Idol in the corridor

      Saneeswarar

      An idol of Saneeswarar can be seen in the inner corridors.

      Idol in the corridorசூ
      Idol in the corridor

      Suryan

      Suryan has an idol in the inner corridors. In the legend, Suryan's eyesight and brightness were restored at this place.

      Idol in the corridorநா
      Idol in the corridor

      63 Nayanmars

      Idols of the 63 Nayanmars can be seen in the inner corridors.

      Idol in the corridorக
      Idol in the corridor

      Gajalakshmi

      An idol of Gajalakshmi can be seen in the inner corridors.

      Idol in the corridorபி
      Idol in the corridor

      Bikshaantavar

      An idol of Bikshaantavar can be seen in the inner corridors.

      Idol in the corridorது
      Idol in the corridor

      Durgai

      An idol of Durgai can be seen in the inner corridors.

      Separate shrineந
      Separate shrine

      Natarajar

      There is a separate shrine for Lord Natarajar.

      Separate shrineசோ
      Separate shrine

      Somaskandar

      There is a separate shrine for Lord Somaskandar.

      Black stone saints draped in cloth, the middle pair holding a staff
      Idol in the corridor

      Thiruneelakandar

      A rare idol of Thiruneelakandar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, and his wife, both holding a staff and standing in praying posture.

      A black stone slab carved with a seated Vinayakar by the entrance
      Rock relief at the entrance

      Polla Pillaiyar

      A rare rock relief of Lord Vinayakar at the entrance, made using stone tools.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Puravaar Panangkatur Thiruvamathur Thiruvakkarai Thiru Vadukur Thiruthuraiyur Gramam Thiruvennainallur Thiru Idayaru Arisili Irumbai Mahalam Thirunavalur Thirumanikkuzhi Thiru Arayaninallur
      You are hereThis temple

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

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today6:00 am – 11:00 am, 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
      6:00 – 11:004:00 – 8:30 pm

      Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Panangatteswarar Temple, Panaiyapuram Post, Mundiyampakkam Via, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu - 605 601. The temple priest Sri S.Ganesan Gurukkal can be contacted at 094448 97861.

      +91 9942056781

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 55.7 km in straight lines.

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

      Temple plan

      A tall colorful tower over a stone gateway with a Tamil name board
      01

      Reaching the temple

      The temple is hardly one km away from the Vikravandi tollgate on the Panruti / Kumbakonam route.

      1 / 8

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

      Pathigam

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

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

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Thirugnanasambandar sang this Pathigam on visiting this temple. Verse 1 of 11.

      Viṇṇa marnthaṉa mum'ma thilkaḷai
      vīzha veṅkaṇai yāley thāyvari
      paṇṇamarn tholisēr puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūrp
      peṇṇa marnthoru pāka mākiya
      piñña kāpiṟai sērnu thaliṭaik
      kaṇṇamarn thavaṉē kalanthārk karuḷāyē

      Shiva shot down the three sky-dwelling forts with a fierce arrow. At Puravaar Panangkattur, where sweet music resounds, he keeps the goddess as half of himself. O tuft-haired Lord, with the crescent on your brow and an eye set there, grant your grace to all who come to you.

      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 eleven verses

      1. 01

        விண்ண மர்ந்தன மும்ம தில்களைவீழ வெங்கணை யாலெய் தாய்வரிபண்ணமர்ந் தொலிசேர் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்ப்பெண்ண மர்ந்தொரு பாக மாகியபிஞ்ஞ காபிறை சேர்நு தலிடைக்கண்ணமர்ந் தவனே கலந்தார்க் கருளாயே

        Viṇṇa marnthaṉa mum'ma thilkaḷai / vīzha veṅkaṇai yāley thāyvari / paṇṇamarn tholisēr puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūrp / peṇṇa marnthoru pāka mākiya / piñña kāpiṟai sērnu thaliṭaik / kaṇṇamarn thavaṉē kalanthārk karuḷāyē

      2. 02

        நீடல் கோடல் அலரவெண் முல்லைநீர்ம லர்நிறைத் தாத ளஞ்செயப்பாடல்வண் டறையும் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்த்தோடி லங்கிய லாத யல்மின்துளங்க வெண்குழை துள்ள நள்ளிருள்ஆடுஞ்சங் கரனே அடைந்தார்க் கருளாயே

        Nīdal kōdal alaraveṇ mullai / nīrma larniṟaith thātha ḷañcheyap / pāṭalvaṇ daṟaiyum puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūrth / thōṭi laṅkiya lātha yalmiṉ / thuḷaṅka veṇkuzhai thuḷḷa naḷḷiruḷ / āduñsaṅ karaṉē aṭainthārk karuḷāyē

      3. 03

        வாளை யுங்கய லும்மிளிர் பொய்கைவார்பு னற்கரை யருகெ லாம்வயற்பாளையொண் கமுகம் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்ப்பூளை யுந்நறுங் கொன்றை யும்மதமத்த மும்புனை வாய்க ழலிணைத்தாளையே பரவுந் தவத்தார்க் கருளாயே

        Vāḷai yuṅkaya lum'miḷir poykai / vārpu ṉaṟkarai yaruke lāmvayaṟ / pāḷaiyoṇ kamukam puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūrp / pūḷai yunnaṟuṅ koṉtṟai yum'matha / matha mumpuṉai vāyka zhaliṇaith / thāḷaiyē paravun thavathārk karuḷāyē

      4. 04

        மேய்ந்திளஞ் செந்நெல் மென்க திர்கவ்விமேற்ப டுகலின் மேதி வைகறைபாய்ந்ததண் பழனப் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்ஆய்ந்த நான்மறை பாடி யாடும்அடிக ளென்றென் றரற்றி நன்மலர்சாய்ந்தடி பரவுந் தவத்தார்க் கருளாயே

        Mēynthiḷañ chennel meṉka thirkavvi / mēṟpa dukaliṉ mēthi vaikaṟai / pāynthathaṇ pazhaṉap puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūr / āyntha nāṉmaṟai pādi yādum / adika ḷeṉtṟeṉ tṟaratṟi naṉmalar / chāynthaṭi paravun thavathārk karuḷāyē

      5. 05

        செங்க யல்லொடு சேல்செ ருச்செயச்சீறி யாழ்முரல் தேனி னத்தொடுபங்கயம் மலரும் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்க்கங்கை யும்மதி யுங்க மழ்சடைக்கேண்மை யாளொடுங் கூடி மான்மறிஅங்கையா டலனே அடியார்க் கருளாயே

        Seṅka yallodu sēlse rucheyach / chīṟi yāzhmural thēṉi ṉathodu / paṅkayam malarum puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūrk / gaṅgai yum'mathi yuṅka mazhsadaik / kēṇmai yāḷoṭuṅ kūṭi māṉmaṟi / aṅkaiyā ṭalaṉē aṭiyārk karuḷāyē

      6. 06

        நீரி னார்வரை கோலி மால்கடல்நீடி யபொழில் சூழ்ந்து வைகலும்பாரினார் பிரியாப் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்க்காரி னார்மலர்க் கொன்றை தாங்குகடவு ளென்றுகை கூப்பி நாடொறும்சீரினால் வணங்குந் திறத்தார்க் கருளாயே

        Nīri ṉārvarai kōli mālkadal / nīdi yapozhil chūḻnthu vaikalum / pāriṉār piriyāp puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūrk / kāri ṉārmalark koṉtṟai thāṅku / kaṭavu ḷeṉtṟukai kūppi nāṭoṟum / sīriṉāl vaṇaṅkun thiṟathārk karuḷāyē

      7. 07

        கைய ரிவையர் மெல்வி ரல்லவைகாட்டி யம்மலர்க் காந்த ளங்குறிபையரா விரியும் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்மெய்ய ரிவையோர் பாக மாகவும்மேவி னாய்கழ லேத்தி நாடொறும்பொய்யிலா அடிமை புரிந்தார்க் கருளாயே

        Kaiya rivaiyar melvi rallavai / kāṭṭi yam'malark kāntha ḷaṅkuṟi / paiyarā viriyum puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūr / meyya rivaiyōr pāka mākavum / mēvi ṉāykazha lēthi nāṭoṟum / poyyilā aṭimai purinthārk karuḷāyē

      8. 08

        தூவி யஞ்சிறை மெல்ந டையனமல்கி யொல்கிய தூம லர்ப்பொய்கைப்பாவில்வண் டறையும் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்மேவி யந்நிலை யாய ரக்கனதோள டர்த்தவன் பாடல் கேட்டருள்ஏவிய பெருமான் என்பவர்க் கருளாயே

        Thūvi yañchiṟai melna daiyaṉa / malki yolkiya thūma larppoykaip / pāvilvaṇ ṭaṟaiyum puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūr / mēvi yannilai yāya rakkaṉa / thōḷa ṭarthavaṉ pādal kēṭṭaruḷ / ēviya perumāṉ eṉpavark karuḷāyē

      9. 09

        அந்தண் மாதவி புன்னை நல்லஅசோக மும்மர விந்த மல்லிகைபைந்தண்ஞா ழல்கள்சூழ் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்எந்தி ளம்முகில் வண்ணன் நான்முகன்என்றி வர்க்கரி தாய்நி மிர்ந்ததொர்சந்தம்ஆ யவனே தவத்தார்க் கருளாயே

        Anthaṇ māthavi puṉṉai nalla / asōka mum'mara vintha mallikai / painthaṇñā zhalkaḷchūzh puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūr / enthi ḷam'mukil vaṇṇaṉ nāṉmukaṉ / eṉtṟi varkkari tāyni mirnthathor / santhamā yavaṉē thavathārk karuḷāyē

      10. 10

        நீண மார்முரு குண்டு வண்டினம்நீல மாமலர் கவ்வி நேரிசைபாணில்யாழ் முரலும் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்நாண ழிந்துழல் வார்ச மணரும்நண்பில் சாக்கிய ருந்ந கத்தலைஊணுரி யவனே உகப்பார்க் கருளாயே

        Nīṇa mārmuru kuṇdu vaṇdiṉam / nīla māmalar kavvi nērisai / pāṇilyāzh muralum puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūr / nāṇa zhinthuzhal vārsa maṇarum / naṇpil sākkiya runna kathalai / ūṇuri yavaṉē ukappārk karuḷāyē

      11. 11

        மையி னார்மணி போல்மி டற்றனைமாசில் வெண்பொடிப் பூசு மார்பனைப்பையதேன் பொழில்சூழ் புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர்ஐய னைப்புக ழான காழியுள்ஆய்ந்த நான்மறை ஞான சம்பந்தன்செய்யுள்பா டவல்லார் சிவலோகஞ் சேர்வாரே

        The last verse names Gnanasambandan of Kazhi and promises that those who sing these verses will reach Sivaloka.

        Maiyi ṉārmaṇi pōlmi ṭatṟaṉai / māsil veṇpoṭip pūsu mārpaṉaip / paiyathēṉ pozhilchūzh puṟavār paṉaṅkāṭṭūr / aiya ṉaippuka zhāṉa kāzhiyuḷ / āyntha nāṉmaṟai gñāṉa sampanthaṉ / seyyuḷpā ṭavallār sivalōkañ sērvārē

      Photos

      Photographs

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

      A tall colorful temple tower beside palm trees and weathered stone halls
      A tall colorful tower over a stone gateway with a Tamil name board
      A tall flagstaff and seated bull statue in the courtyard by the tower
      A small white shrine with guardian lions, a palm and the far tower
      Black stone saints draped in cloth, the middle pair holding a staff
      Two stone bulls flanking a small draped shrine before palm trunks
      Tall palm trunks towering above a small shrine and bull statues
      A small green shrine crowned with painted Vinayakar and bull figures
      Colorful gods and a peacock on a shrine roof, a devotee praying below
      A black stone slab carved with a seated Vinayakar by the entrance