Sri Sivanandeswarar Temple, Tirupandurai / சிவனந்தேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / Thiruppandurai / திருபந்துறை / ( Penu Perundurai – பேணுபெருந்துறை ), Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 181^st Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the south side of the river Kaveri and the 64^th temple of Chozha Nadu. Now this place is called TIRUPANDURAI/Thiruppandurai. The temple is on the southern banks of the river Arasalaru. Hence called Perunthurai (Perum – big, Thurai – a place provided with steps to access the river). This place was called Penu Perundurai during ancient times.

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruveezhimizhalai. After Penuperundurai Appar returned to Thiruveezhimizhalai after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thilathaipathi.

ஓங்கு புனல்பேணு பெருந்துறையும் உள்இட்ட

பாங்கு ஆர்திலதைப் பதிமுற்றுமும் பணிந்து

வீங்குஒலிநீர் வீழிமிழலையினில் மீண்டு அணைந்து

ஆங்கு இனிது கும்பிட்டு அமர்ந்து ஒழுகும் அந்நாளில்

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

பைம்மா நாகம் பன்மலர் கொன்றை பன்றிவெண் கொம்பு ஒன்று பூண்டு

செம்மாந்து ஐயம்பெய்க என்று சொல்லிச் செய்தொழில் பேணியோர் செல்வர்

அம்மான் நோக்கிய அந்தளிர்மேனி அரிவையோர் பாகம் அமர்ந்த

பெம்மானல்கிய தொல்புகழாளர் பேணு பெருந்துறையாரே

........திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                  -“மந்தணத்தைக்

காணு மருந்துறையிக் காமர் தலம் என்றெவரும்

பேணு பெருந்துறையிற் பெம்மானே”

....... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Sivanandeswarar, Sri Branaveswarar

Consort    : Sri Mangalambigai, Sri Malaiarasi.

Some of the Salient features of this temple are.....

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are in front. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In koshtam, Narthana Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durga.

Dhandapani is in the dhyana posture with chin mudra. The image of Pichadanar is worth seeing. Very old Sri Murugan is in Moolavar Sannadhi.

In the praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Nalvar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Three Vinayagars, Viswanathar Visalakshi, Navagrahas, in that Suriyan is at an elevated level with his wives.

Ambal is in a separate sannathi, facing south. Chozha King, with his wife, is also in the praharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. A vesara vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7^th century, and the same was reconstructed as a Stone temple during the Chozha period by Karikal Chozha and later extended during the Vijayanagara/Maratha.

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belong to Karikal Chozhan, Madurai Konda Parakesari, Rajaraja Chozha, and Pandya king Veera Pandya. As per the inscriptions, Lord Shiva was called Sri Penu Perunthurai Mahadevar, and Ambal was called Sri Malai Arasi Ammai.

Maduraikonda Koparakesari’s 22^nd reign inscription records that this place was under Thirunaraiyur Nattu Penu Perundurai, and Lord Shiva was called Penuperundurai Mahadevar.

The Rajarajan’s 14^th reign inscription records the endowment of taking Asthra Devar, Amman & Periya Devar in procession and theerthavari in Arasalar river by  Araisooral of Pandya Kulanasini Valanattu Arcot Kootram on Amavasai day (new moon day), for which land was gifted to this temple.

Veerapandya’s 6^th reign year inscription records the gift of Urchavar of Swami by Nallurudayan Vazhuthooran. 

LEGENDS

As per the Legend, Lord Muruga imprisoned Brahma for not being able to explain the meaning of the Pranava mantra. Lord Shiva advised Muruga to go to this place and worship him to get relieved from the sin caused by imprisoning Brahma and the aftereffects. Lord  Muruga came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased by the prayers of Muruga and relieved him from sin. Hence, Lord Shiva is called "Sri Pranaveswarar" – Lord of Pranava mantra.

It is believed that Brahma, Vinayagar, Muruga, and Umadevi worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi (May–June),  Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Aavani (Aug–Sept), Navaratri in the month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thirukarthigai in the month of Karthigai (Nov–Dec), Makar Sankranti and Thaipoosam in the month Thai (Jan–Feb), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi (Feb–March), Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni (March–April), Amuthu Padayal on Bharani star day to Pichadanar in the month Chithirai and monthly pradosam days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Gurukkal K Nagaraj may be contacted on mobile and landline numbers +91 9443650826 & +91 435 2448138, for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

On the bus route from Kumbakonam to Karaikal (a nearby place called Eravanchery, 1 km after Nachiyar Koil  on Eravanchery road).

The place Tirupandurai is 12 km from Kumbakonam,  32 km from Thiruvarur, 22 km from Nannilam, 38 km from Mayiladuthurai, and 306 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---