| Description:
This Shivastalam is an Upadesa Stalam with Shiva facing West and Ambal facing East.
Sambandar is said to have visited here after visiting Tirucheignalur.
He is said to have proceeded to Tiruppayatrankudi
from here. This shrine is also known as Taalavanam. Tiruppanantaal
is considered to be the 39th in the series of the Tevara Stalams
located in Chola Nadu north of the river Kaveri. Of the 275 Shivastalams six
shrines are associated with Panai maram (Palm Tree). They are Panaiyur,
Panankattur, Puravaar Panankattur,
Cheyyar, Tirumazhapadi
and Tiruppanantaal.
Legends: Shiva is said to have bent forward to allow an anxious
devotee Tatakai to adorn him with a garland. The river Manni is said to be a derivation
from its original name Subramanya nadhi. The fact that it is an Upadesa Stalam renders
significance to this shrine. Bhrama was absolved of the blemish of having made the false
declaration of having ascended to the top of the column of fire that Shiva manifested
himself as, here.
The Temple: This temple is also a Maadakkoyil built at an
elevation.Lofty fortress walls and towering Rajagopurams with several images adorn this
temple. The Vimanam here is crowned with 3 kalasams. Raja Raja Chola II is known for his
grants to this temple. Kungiliyakkalaya Nayanar is associated with Tiruppanantaal, he is
said to have straightened the tilted Shivalingam by virtue of his ardent devotion to the
deity.
Images of the stalapuranams associated with Tatakai and Kungiliyakkalaya Nayanaar are
seen carved in the 16 pillared hall. This shrine is under the able administration of the
Dharumapura Adhinam. Six worship services are offered each day. |
