Saravanakumar Temple Visit: Sri Pakthajaneswarar Temple at Thirunavalur.

Saturday 1 October 2022

Sri Pakthajaneswarar Temple at Thirunavalur. - Vilupuram District

History of the Temple

Thirunavalur is situated in the erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu and is in between the rivers Gadilam and Pennai. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest one and is said to have existed here even before the 4 yugas. This temple was earlier called “Thiruthondeecharam” and the place around it was called Thirunavalur and Jambunathapuri. However, it is now called Thirunamanallur.

As per the stone inscriptions available in this temple, the Chola king Rajathithan, son of Paranthakan-I, renovated and expanded this temple.

Year of Old : 1000-2000 years of old temple.

General Information

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 8^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) who is believed to have appeared in the midst of Jambu trees (Naaval).
This is the birth place of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, one of the four great Saints (Nalvar) and one of the 63 Nayanmars.
This temple’s entrance has a 5- tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors.

Important Festivals

Almost all festivals are celebrated in this temple. The important ones are –

Saint Sundararamurthy Nayanar’s birthday (Janana Vizha) in the Tamil month of Avani (Aug-Sept) on the day of the “Uthiram” star day,

Sundarar’s Guru Pooja in the Tamil month of Adi (July-Aug) on the day of the “Swathi” star, and

Car festival (Ther) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Location

Thirunavalur is situated at a distance of about 28 kms from Villupuram. On the Villupuram to Trichy National Highway (bypass), at the Gadilam junction, there is an overbridge. Take the service road under this bridge to get on to the Panruti road. Continue on this road further for about 3 kms to reach this temple.

The temple is 12 kms from Panruti on the Panruti to Ulundoorpettai road and it is 15 kms from Ulundoorpettai.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvamathur, Thiruthuraiyur, Thiruvathigai, Thirumundeecharam, T.Idaiyaru and Thiruvennainallur.