| Description:
This Shivastalam is also known as Tiruppazhamannippaddikkarai and is under the able
administration of the Tiruvavaduturai Adhinam. It is located at a distance of 20 km from Mayiladuturai.
It is considered to be the 30th in the series of the
Tevara Stalams located in Chola Nadu north of the river Kaveri. Legends: As with Tiruneedur nearby, this shrine is also associated
with legends centered around the great deluge.The Natana Vinayakar here is said to
have danced during the great deluge. A legend associated with the great deluge, about a
boat that remained afloat - similar to the Thoniappar legend in Sirkazhi, prevails in this temple. (The image seen above is
that of the Sirkazhi Toniappar Temple). The nearby shrine of Nagapuram enshrining
Nagalingar and Sundaravalli is said to have been worshipped by Adiseshan.
This shrine is also associated with characters from the Mahabharatam. Neelakantar was
worshipped by Yudhishtra and Padikkarai Nayakar was worshipped by Arjuna,; both these
shrines are complete with all parivara devatas. Duryodhana is said to have poisoned the
Bhrama Theertham and Shiva is said to have converted the poison into celestial nectar. The
Bhrama Theertham is also known as Amrita Theertham or Nachchuppoikai.
The temple complex occupies an area of 2.5 acres. . There are five
shrines to Shiva here, Padikkarai Nayakar, Neelakantar, Mukteeswarar, Parameswarar,
Magadheswarar. The main temple is built on a large, 5 feet high raised platform. A
Rajagopuram marks the entrance to the outer prakaram. Padikkarai Nayakar shrine is in the
forefront; the Magadheswarar (worshipped by Sahadeva) & Neelakantar shrines are in the
rear. Mukteswarar, worshipped by Bhima and Parameswarar worshipped by Nakula are seen in
the outer enclosure. Apart from the inscriptions from the Vijayanagar period, there
are inscriptions dating back to the 11th century. Four worship services are offered here
each day. |
