Panangaateeswarar Temple, Panaiyapuram, Villupuram
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Panangaateeswarar |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Panaiyapuram |
| District:: | Villupuram |
| Address: | Panangaateeswarar Temple,anaiyapuram Post,Mundiyampakkam Via Villupuram District – 605 601 |
| Phone | +91 9942056781 / 94448 97861 |
Temple Opening Time
This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 11.00 AM in the morning and 5.00 PM to 7.30 PM in the evenings.
Festivals
Amongst others, Surya Pooja in the Tamil month of Chithirai, Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Chithirai, Maha Shivarathri in the Tamil month of Masi, Thiruvathirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi are celebrated in a grand manner.
Prayers
This temple is a Parihara Sthalam for people suffering from problems relating to eyesight. Sincere prayers have seen many a devotee have his/her eyesight improved or restored, even in recent times. Devotees also pray to Lord Shiva here for the removal of hurdles from marriage proposals, to attain knowledge and wisdom. After the fulfillment of their prayers, the devotees perform Abhishekam to the Lord and offer new clothes. They also donate their munificence to the temple renovation.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Surya penance on Lord Shiva:
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.
Agora Veerabhadrar carried out the lord’s instruction and as a result the Sun God (Suryan) who was one of the attendee 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 i.e directly on the lord as well as the Ambal bathing them from top to bottom as he transits from morning to evening. So, all sannidhis of the temple face east.
King Sibi’s sacrifice:
One day, Indra and Agni wanted to test him and appeared before him in the form of a vulture and dove. When the vulture chased down its prey to eat it, the dove sought refuge in the lap of King Sibi. Sibi requested the vulture to let go of the dove. The vulture refused as he was hungry and asked the King to let go of his rightful meal. The King asked the vulture if he would be satisfied with flesh equal to the weight of the dove to let go of it. The vulture accepted. The King asked for a pair of scales, and without hesitation, sliced a portion of his thigh and placed it on the scales to equal the weight of the dove.
It is believed that Goddess Parvati (Satyambigai) was pleased with King Sibi’s sacrifice and righteousness and gave him moksha at this palm grove (Panangadu in Tamil) which is why it was called ” Puravar Panangattur” in ancient times. The later Cholas are said to be descendants of King Sibi which was why they assumed the title of “Sembian” and rightfully they have built a beautiful temple at the spot associated with King Sibi.
Puravaar Panangaatoor:
To distinguish it from the other holy places, this was named ‘Puravaar Panangattur’ since it was surrounded by thick woods (puravu: grove, wood / forest). As this holy place was enclosed by the woods of Mullai region, the place is called ‘Puravaar Panangaatoor’.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Kurinchipadi, 26 Kms from Panruti, 5 Kms from Vikravandi, 17 Kms from Villupuram, 14 Kms from Thiruvamathur, 6 Kms from Mundiyampakkam, 25 Kms from Thiruthuraiyur, 11 Kms from Mannadipet, 17 Kms from Thiruvakkarai, 35 Kms from Thiruvennainallur, 24 Kms from Thiruvandarkoil, 30 Kms from Thirumundeeswaram, 40 Kms from Puducherry, 158 Kms from Chennai and 176 Kms from Trichy.
By Road:
The Temple is located on the Pondicherry to Mundiyampakkam route. The temple is hardly one Km away from the Vikravandi tollgate on the Panruti / Kumbakonam route. People taking bus from Chennai to Villupuram, get down at Mundiyampakkam. All the buses going to Pondicherry via Mundiyampakkam is going through Panayapuram. Auto / Share Autos are available from Mundiyampakkam Sugar Factory opposite side. On the NH45 from Chennai to Trichy after the Vikravandi Toll plaza the road takes a left turn towards Tanjore, Kumbakonam. Proceed for 2 kms on this road and take the second left turn you will come alongside the temple.
By Train:
Nearest Railway Station is Vikravandi Railway Station located at about 8 Kms from the Temple. Nearest Major Railway Station is located at Villupuram.
By Air:
Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry, Chennai and Trichy.
Contact Details
Panangaateeswarar Temple,
anaiyapuram Post,
Mundiyampakkam Via
Villupuram District – 605 601
Mobile: +91 9942056781 / 94448 97861