 Description:
Shiva is worshipped as a Prithvi Lingam here in this shrine located in close proximity to Vaideeswaran Koyil. Tirunavukkarasar has sung of Tiruppunkur and Tiruneedur
in the same patikam.Legends: Indra, Agasthyar, Bhrama, Surya and
Chandra, Patanjali & Vyagrapadar, the Sapta Kannikas and the Vanaras who had gone in search of Sita (in
the Ramayanam) are said to have worshipped here. This shrine is
primarily known for its association with the Saiva Nayanar Nandanaar.
(see Kurangaaduturai). The Nandi is said to have moved away from the shrine
to provide a vision of Shiva to Nandanar.
 Sundarar is said to have miraculously caused it to rain to provide much needed relief
from a prolonged drought upon being requested by Kalikkaama Naayanar of
Tirupperumangalakkudi a village nearby. It is believed that Sundarar
further sang hymns to stop the deluge that threatened the village
following his rendition of hymns. The well known legend of Agastyar being blessed
with a vision of Shiva's marriage with Parvati is also associated with this temple.
It is also believed that the Punka theertham was excavated by
Nandanaar with the blessings of Ganesha.
The Temple: A five tiered Rajagopuram decks the entrance to the
temple. Soon upon entry into the outer prakaram, one encounters a shrine to Nandanaar, and
the Rishabha Theertham tank, said to have been created by Nandanaar, with the help of
Vinayakar. A Panchamukha lingam, representing Shiva's appearance before Bhramma is seen
under the stalavriksham in the Prakaram.
Both the majestic outer Nandi, and the small Nandi in the inner prakaram are out of
allignment with the sanctum, in sync with Nandanar's legend. Nandi's posture is in
contrast to the usual one where the Nandi leans towards its left. It is believed that the
two of the three vain asuras of the Tri-Purams after their defeat became dwarapalakas
& one became Nataraja's drummer here. The Nataraja image here
is of great beauty and in this shrine is an image of a celestial being
playing the Panchamukha Vadhyam.
Shiva is enshrined in the form of
a prithvilingam (an anthill covered with a kavacam). The Shivalingam is
adorned with punuku during the the arthajama pujas held on Mondays.
There are also shrines to Surya, Kalikkaamar, Somaskanda, the Navagrahas,
Bhairava and Chandra. The niches around the shrine are enshrined with
images of Narthanavinayaka, Bhikshatana, Agasthya, Dakshinamurtny,
Lingodbhava, Bhrahma, Durga, Ardhanareeswara and Bhairavar.
There are also Shivalingams representing Tatpurusha, Aghora, Vaamadeva
and Sadyojata (see Elephanta
Caves). Inscriptions from the Imperial Chola period are
seen in this temple.
Four worshp services are offered
each day here. |
