| Description:
The temple here is referred to as Tunngaanai Maadam. Meikkandar the pioneer of Saiva
philosophy was born here. This is the 2nd of the 22 Tevara Stalams in
the Nadu Naadu region of Tamilnadu. Legends: Shiva is said to have been
worshipped by Kamadenu, the celestial nymphs and the Airavatam (AA, Penn, gadam hence
Pennaagadam).Appar is said to have been blessed with the marks of the Rishabham and
Trisoolam here. There is also the Nandi Mangalam here where Shiva is said to have
consumed the deadly poison that emanated out of the milky ocean, hence
Pralayakaleswarar-Sundareswarar.Nandi faces away from the shrine & is said to have
swallowed waters of the great deluge.
The Temple: This is one of the 78 shrines built by Kochenkan Cholan at
an elevation. Theshrine at the upper level (100 steps) houses Javanteeswarar. A 5
tiered gopuram adorns this temple covering an area of 4 acres. The sanctum is built in the
form of an elephant, with windows on 3 sides. The Nandi faces away from the sanctum.
Inscriptions fron the Chola and Vijayanagar periods are seen here.
Festivals: The annual festival is celebrated in the month of Chittirai
with several vahanams and chariots. Other festivals celebrated include Kartikai Deepam,
Skanda Sashti, Arudra Darisanam, Thai Poosam, Sankaranti, Pankuni Uthiram and Aadi Pooram. |
