Papanasanathar Temple / Pavanasar Temple ( Suriyan Temple), பாபநாசர் சூரியன் கோவில், Papanasam, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.

This Sri Papanasanathar Temple at Papanasam, is on the banks of holy river Thamirabarani, one of the Nava Kailayam Temples and one of the Navagraha sthalams ie Suriyan Temple. Thamirabarani river flows from South to north at this place, similar to Kasi, where the Holy River Ganga flows from South to North. Hence this temple is believed to be equivalent to Kasi. 

Moolavar   : Sri Pavanasar
Consort     : Sri Ulagammai, Sri Loganayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing with a Mukha mandapam and a 7 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas, Sthala Vinayagar and Arumuga Nayinar are on both sides of the entrance to maha mandapam.  Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In koshtam only Dakshinamurthy. Natarajar is in the ardha mandapam.

In praharam 63var, Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, Utsavar Vinayagaar, Kalyana Sundarar, Madhya Lingam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sri Ulagamman, Saniswarar, Pazhamarai Nayagar, Ambal, Bairavar, Soma Lingam, Chandran, Adhikara Nandhi and Suriyan.  In outer praharam Sri Kasi Viswanathar, Navagrahas, and Natarajar.

Sthala vruksham “kalamaram” is on the back side of the temple. Stucco and stone images of Rishis, Brahma are under the tree with Stucco Dwarapalakas. It is believed that 4 Vedas joined together and worships Shiva in the form of Kalamaram, the sthala Vruksham. 

Ambal Ulagammai is on the left side of moolavar sannidhi facing east direction. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Somaskandar

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedika. The pilasters are of vishnukantha pilasters with malai thongal, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai and pushba pothyal. Various Hindu deity images are above the vedika, around the sanctum sanctorum. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasikudus. The Vimanam above the bhumidesam was constructed with bricks. The Vimana is two talas, greevam and a vesara sigaram.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple may be constructed during 13^th century by Pandyas. 

The temple latter received contributions from Chozhas and Vijayanagara Nayakas. The present structure may belongs to Nayakas.

No old inscriptions are found in the temple. 

Nayaka’s period inscription ( As per தென்னிந்திய கோயில் சாசணங்கள் பாகம் – II, Sasanam 808, No 296 of 1917 ) on the Ulagamman Temple Sanctum sanctum west wall, dated in the cyclic year Nandana, Aippasi month, records that the shrine was built by Vadamalaiyappa Pillai for the merit of Thirumalai Nayakkarayyan ( Thirumalai Nayaka ).

As per 22^nd December 1966 inscription, thirupani was started for the maha Kumbhabhishekam.

As per 05^th April 1973’s inscription records the starting of thirupani to Rajagopuram, 22^nd Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam Sri La Sri Ambalavana Desika Paramacharya Swamigal’s order and participation.

As per 07^th February 1990 inscription, 23^rd Maha sannidhanam of Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam Sri La Sri Sivaprakasha sannidhi, has given 1.1 lakhs and 100 kilogram of ashtabandhana marunthu for the Maha Kumbhabhishekam. 

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 14^th September 2005 and now the temple is preparing for the next Kumbhabhishekam. Rajagopuram is under maintenance.

LEGENDS
Uroma Maharishi did a penance on Shiva to attain moksha. Shiva wished to give the same through Agasthiyar as a Guru. Uroma Maharishi has become one of his disciples and asked the way to attain moksha. Agasthiyar advised Uroma Maharishi to drop 9 flowers in the river Thamirabarani and worship Shiva where each flower stops on the banks and finally take bath at a place where the river joins with Sea. These 9 temples are called as Nava kayilayam.

During Celestial wedding of Shiva with Parvati, all the Devas, Maharishis, Munis assembled at Mount Kailash. Due to this the north side of this earth went down and south side went up. To balance the earth Shiva asked the sage Agasthiyar to go to south. After getting the boon of Celestial wedding darshan whenever he wants, Agasthiyar started his journey to Pothigai Hills. This Papanasam is on the foot hills of Pothigai Hills. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati gave darshan to the sage Agasthiyar as Kalyana Sundarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days and all Hindu festival days. Since Shiva and Parvati married on Chithirai Vishu day and gave darshan to the sage Agasthiyar, a 10 days festival will be conducted as a mark of that event.

Thamirabarani River 

Prayer for building a Hiouse

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs, 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs. The temple will be kept opened full day during Chithirai Vishu, Adi amavasya, Aippasi Vishu, Thai Amavasya, last Friday of every month.

CONTACT DETAILS
The land line number +914634223268 and +914634 293757 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
The temple at Papanasam is on the banks of River Thamirabarani, 8 KM from Ambasamudram, 30 KM from Tenkasi, 43 KM from Tirunelveli.
Nearest Railway station is Ambasamudram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE   :  CLICK HERE

In Place of Lingothbavar Koshtam

Maha Vishnu as Thiruvikrama

Soma Lingam

Stucco image at the entrance 

Bell mandapam

Sthala vruksham 

Sthala vruksham 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---