Sri Sivalokanathar Temple

Overview

The Sri Sivaloganathar Temple is located in Tirupunkur, at about 3 kilometres from another Paadal Petra Sthalam Vaitheeswaran Kovil and 10 kilometres from Sirkazhi. This is the 20th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. This temple is called Thirupungur in light of the fact that the temple was encompassed by Punga trees and Nandi surfaced from an ant colony dwelling place (little mud mountain) administrations are offered every day here.

About 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, speaking to Shiva's appearance before Brahma is seen under the three's two vain asuras of the Tri-Purams said to have been made Both the majestic outer Nandi, and the small Nandi in the inner prakaram are out of alignment 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 and 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. Indra, Agasthyar, Bhrama, Surya and Chandra, Patanjali and Vanaras who had gone looking for Sita (in the moved far from the holy place to give a dream of Shiva to Nandanar. The Nandi is said to have moved away from the shrine to provide a vision of Shiva to Nandanar. Nandhi in the temple has no tongue. The nandi here is also a swayambu. We see Dwarapalakas in all temples with their heads raised. Here they are polite bowing as if to receive Nandanar the choice devotee of God. There is a shrine for Kulam Vettiya Pillayar meaning God Vinayaka who dug the tank with the help of Boodhas in a single night to enable Nandanar to have his bath to be blessed with the darshan of God. The Holy Water (Theertham) of this temple is Vrushba, Devendra and Nandanar. The Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) of this temple is Punga Tree.

About the Deity

Shiva is worshipped as a Prithvi Lingam. The main deity in the temple is Sri Shivaloganathar. The Name of Goddess is Sri Chokka Nayagi and she is also known as Sri Soundara Nayagi. The God orm of an ant colony dwelling place, little in size. Nandhi came somewhat later. The primary Linga and Nandhi alone conveyed name and acclaim to the tempke. As uprooted on Mondays at about punugu glue. Fans can have the darshan of the said that He would drop a Durba grass with three bunches and would acknowledge that she was more wonderful at the spot where the grass fell. This grass fell Lingas. The force of these Lingas are such that they favor wedding help and flexibility from condemnations of past births. The main deity at the Sanctum Sanctorum is anointed with Vibuthi, lime juice, tender coconut water, milk and dravya powder abhishekams. Devotees perform special puja by offering Neyvedhyams and distribute it to the visitors. People worship Shivalokanathaswamy to overcome marriage hurdles, unemployment, poverty and unhappiness. He removes these hurdles and fulfils the wishes of Aasthikas.

Legend/Story

Nandanar was conceived in Mela Adhanur town in a low-position family yet was an awesome Shiva Bhakta. He was filling in as a "Coolie" in the close-by paddy field and committing the vast majority of his time with immaculate dedication to Lord Shiva. He was quick to love Lord Shiva at the well known Chidambaram (Nataraja) sanctuary and sitting tight for the right chance to go there. On the other hand, he didn't get authorization from the area proprietor conceded consent one day move to one side to permit him to see without obstacle. With detaches moving on his cheeks, Nanadar is said to have supernaturally conveyed downpour to give highly required help from a drawn out dry season upon solicitation by Kalikkaama Naayanar of Tirupperumangalakkudi a town close-by. It is trusted that Sundarar psalms to stop the storm that undermined the town taking after his interpretation of songs. Shiva's marriage with Parvati. Punka theertham was exhumed by Nandanaar with the gifts of Ganesha.

The Dwarabhalakas [in between Nandi and Main Deity at the Sanctum Sanctorum] inform God Shiva that Nandanar has come to see him and standing outside. God Shiva was pleased with the true devotion of His Bhakta, directs Nandi to step aside to allow him to see without hindrance. Nandi moved few steps away. With tears rolling out on his cheeks, Nanadar takes a full darshan of God Shiva. This is the speciality of this Holy Place. Even now Nandi is not directly sitting in front of the God and Dwarabhalakas' face is tilted as they inform the news to God). It is trusted that goes that sometime in the distant past, there was a fascinating civil argument between Goddess Parvathi in the matter of who watches more took out a Darbhai and made three tossing down the earth, saying wherever this Darbhai falls, create an impression on Her magnificence. The Darbhai fell on the ground and got changed over as are arranged in this sanctuary is something extraordinary to venerate. As indicated by legends, venerating these Panchalingams uproots marriage issues, serpent related sins.

Festivals

10 day Vaikasi Visakam Brahmmotsavam with Lord’s procession each day is the most important festival of the temple. The devotee crowd in the temple on the monthly Pradosham days is usually huge. Special pujas and Aradhanas are performed in the temple on Deepavali day in October-November, Pongal falling almost on January 14 except in Leap Years and Tamil and English New Year days are grandly celebrated in the temple

Significance

Saints Sambandar,Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of God Shiva of this temple,Tirunavukkarasar has sung of Tiruppunkur and Tiruneedur in the same patikam. This is also the temple where God directed Nandhi to move a little to grant His darshan to His devotee Nandanar. Removing Naga dosha and poorva janma sins in this temple.

Accessibility

This place is just 3 km away from Vaitheeswaran koil.There are regular bus services from Mayiladthurai and Vaitheeswaran Koil.

Address

Sri Shivaloka Nathar Temple,
Tirupunkur-609 112,
Nagapattinam district.