the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

The legend is that Dakshan (father of Goddess Parvathi) once performed a yagna where he invited all the devas (celestial gods) but intentionally left out Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was angered by this slight and all the devas who attended the yagna and consumed the yagna-food (avirbhaagam), became the object of his fury. Lord Shiva instructed Aghora Veerabhadrar to go to Dakshan’s yagna-hall and punish all the devas. Agora Veerabhadrar carried out the lord’s instruction and as a result the Sun God (Suryan) who was one of the attendee lost his eye sight and lustre. To seek Lord Shiva’s forgiveness, Suryan went to several holy places and offered his prayers. It was finally at this place (Puravaar Panangkattur) that Suryan’s eye sight and his brightness were restored. Hence, Lord Shiva is also praised here as Kan parithu aruliya kadavul (the God who took and later restored the eye sight). As Suryan got back his brightness at this temple, it is believed that every year, he worships Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi for a period of seven days from the 1st day of the Tamil New year by illuminating the idols in the two sanctums. Another legend associated with this place is that of the Chola Emperor Sibi Chakravarthi. It is believed that once, a pigeon that was being hunted by a vulture surrendered to the King and sought his help. He immediately cut a portion of his thigh flesh equivalent to the weight of the pigeon and offered it as food to the vulture instead. This deed came to the notice of Lord Shiva who appreciated his generosity, gave him his dharisanam and offered him salvation (moksham). In order to celebrate this event and to honour King Sibi, his descendants built a beautiful temple at this place.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 20th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. This temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Kulothungan-I. It is believed that once this place was densely populated with palm trees. This place is called Puravaar Panangkatur because Puravaar in Tamil means forest and Panangkatur means full of palm trees. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar has also mentioned this place as Puravaar Panankatur in his hyms. There are four sacred palm trees in the outer corridor. There is a rare idol of Thiruneelakandar (one of the 63 Nayanmars) and his wife where both of them are holding a staff and standing in praying posture. There is also a rare rock relief depicting Lord Vinayakar (Polla Pillaiyar) at the entrance. This relief has been made using stone tools. It is believed by devotees that worshipping Lord Shiva here would cure their eye sight related problems. Devotees also pray to Lord Shiva here for the removal of hurdles from marriage proposals, to attain knowledge and wisdom.

Surya Pooja in the Tamil month of Chithirai, Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Chithirai, Maha Shivarathiri in the Tamil month of Masi, Thiruvaathirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi and Annabhishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi are celebrated in a grand manner.