Thiruppanthurai is situated on Kumbhakonam-Karaikkal route via (Nachiar Kovil-Eravanchera route). It is about 11 kms from Kumbhakonam and about 2 kms from Nachiar Kovil. This Padal Pethra Sthala was revered by Shaiva Saint Sambandhar. It is on the southern bank of river Arisilaru. This ancient temple must have been in existence even before the sixth century. This was rebuilt as a stone structure by Chola King Karikalan. Hence the present structure must be more than 1300 years old. There are stone inscriptions in the temple which give an account of the work done by various Chola kings.
Moolavar: Shri Shivanandeshwarar, Shri Pranaveshwarar
Devi: Shri Mangalambika, Shri Malai-Arasi-Amman
Utsavar: Shri Pravaneshwarar
Kshetra Vruksha: Shami tree
Sacred Teertha: Mangala Theertha, Malai Arasi Amman Theertha
Puranik Name: Thirupenuperunthurai
Present Name: Thiruppanthurai
Kshetra Purana:
Once Lord Brahma did not give proper respect to Lord Muruga when he visited Kailash as Muruga was a small child. Lord Muruga got angry and he asked Lord Brahma about his method of creation. Lord Brahma stated he was creating living beings with the help of Vedas. Lord Muruga asked him to recite the Veda and Lord Brahma started reciting by chanting pranav mantra Om. Immediately Lord Muruga stopped him and asked him the meaning of Pranava mantra. As Lord Brahma could not explain, Muruga scolded him and put him in prison. He took up the role of creator. The devas, unable to find Lord Brahma, requested Lord Vishnu to negotiate with Lord Muruga for the release of Lord Brahma. As Lord Vishnu failed in his attempt they sought the help of Lord Shiva. When Lord Muruga was not convinced by Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva asked Muruga to explain the meaning of the Pranava mantra to him. To this Lord Muruga readily agreed and explained the meaning to Lord Shiva. This incident happened at Swami Malai. After releasing Lord Brahma, Lord Muruga became proud and egoistic. In order to teach him a lesson Lord Shiva made him dumb. As an atonement Lord Muruga came to this place, prepared and installed a Shiva Linga. He worshiped and regained his skills and speech. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Lord Pranaveshwarar. When Lord Muruga came to this place for doing penance Lord Ganesha took the form of twin Vinayaka and came as an escort. The twin Vinayakas stayed back at this place. Hence we find twin Vinayaka at this entrance. They are named as Lord Sakshi Vinayaka and Lord Guha Vinayaka.
Those who worshiped here: Lord Brahma, Goddess Parvati, twin Vinayakas, Lord Muruga
Salient Features:
1. Utsav murti is Lord Bhikshtanar and is very beautiful.
2. At the entrance of the sanctum we find the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga.
3. The temple is famous for the worship of Lord Dandayudhpaani and Lord Bhikshatanar.
4. Lord Dakshinamurti is having a shikha (shendi in Marathi) which is very unique, with eyes closed as if in meditation with a Chin Mudra. His ears are long.
5. At the entrance of the temple we have a shrine for twin Vinayaka.
6. In this temple the importance is for Lord Muruga.
7. The idol of Lord Dandayudhpaani (Lord Muruga) is in front of the sanctum.
8. On the Gopura of the sanctum, there are stucco images of Lord Ardhanareeshwarar, Lord Dakshinamurti and Lord Veena Dakshinamurti.
9. In the Navagraha shrine, Lord Surya is along with his wife.
About the temple:
This east facing temple has a single prakaram with a three tiered Rajagopuram. After entering the temple we immediately come across Dhwajastambha, Balipeeth and Nandi. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, Ardha Mandap and Maha Mandap. Nandi is facing the sanctum. The Shiva Linga is a Swayambhu Linga. In the shrine of Lord Shiva there is a very ancient idol of Lord Muruga. On the Vimana of Lord Shiva’s shrine, there are stucco images of Lord Ardha Nareeshwarar, Lord Dakshinamurti and Lord Veena Dakshinamurti.
Koshtha Murtis: Lord Nardana Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Lingothbhavar, Lord Bhairav and Goddess Vishnudurga. In a small shrine we come across Lord Chandikeshwarar.
Though this is a Shiva temple the prominent deity is Lord Muruga. Hence we find his idol in the Sanctum Sanctorum. He is praised as Lord Dandayudhpani. He is in meditating posture with Chin Mudra and with eyes closed and has long ears. There are two Ganeshas in the temple praised as Lord Guha Vinayaka and Lord Sakshi Vinayaka. There is a shrine of Navagraha in which Lord Surya is on a pedestal along with his consorts.
Goddess Ambika is in a separate south facing shrine.
The idols and shrines in parikrama: Lord Vinayaka, Shaiva Saints Nalvar, Chola King and Queen, Lord Subramanya with his consorts, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Sapta Matrikas, Lord Kalabhairav, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Lord Kashi Vishwanath with Goddess Vishalakshi, Lakshmi Narayana and Shiva Lingas.
Prayers: Those who suffer from stammering and those who are dumb come to this place for relief. They take a dip in a Mangal Theertha and worship Lord Muruga by performing abhishek with honey for 45 days.
Pooja: Daily rituals, Monthly, Weekly and Fortnightly poojas like Pradosha pooja, New Moon Day, Full Moon Day are observed.
Some important festivals:
Vaikasi (May-June): Vaiksi Vishakham (pooja on Vishakha nakshatra day)
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh chaturthi
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri
Aipassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek, Skanda Shashthi
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai
Thai (Jan-Feb): Thai pusam (pooja on Pushya nakshatra day), Makar sankranti
Maasi (Feb-March): Shivaratri
Panguni (March-April): Panguni Uttiram (pooja on Uttara Phalguni nakshatra day)
In the month of Chitrai on Bharani nakshatra day there is a festival to Lord Bhikshatanar named Amudupadayal.
Timing: 6 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 7 pm
Address:
Shri Shivandeshwarar / Shri Pranaveshwarar Temple,
Thiruppanthurai,
via Nachiar Kovil,
Taluka: Kumbhakonam,
Tamil Nadu 612602
Contact number of temple priest: K Nataraja Gurukkal -91-9443650826, 0435-2448138
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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