- Special Features
Foundation Year1000-2000 years oldSthala TreePunga treeTheerthamVrushba, Devendra and Nandanar theerthamsRathamArchitectureDravidian ArchitectureOther SpecialityLord Shiva is a swayambumurthi in the temple where Lord directed Nandhi to move to enable Nandanar a noted Shiva devotee to have His darshan.
- Sthala Puran
Nandanar a farm worker belonging to backward community was a staunch Shiva devotee harbouring a desire to worship Shiva in Chidambaram. But his boss denied him leave. He was hoping Naalai Pogalam-let me go tomorrow. That tomorrow came when his boss granted him leave. Nandanar was passing through this place where he desired to have the darshan of Lord Shivalokanathar but Nandi was in the way. The Dwarapalakas informed the Lord that Nandanar was there for His darshan. Lord ordered Nandhi to move a little so that Nandanar could have a comfortable darshan. This is a temple that honoured a devotee of highest standard of Bhakti
- Architecture
Lord Shiva is a swayambhumurthi in the temple where Lord directed Nandhi to move to enable Nandanar a noted Shiva devotee to have His darshan. The name of the place Tirupunkur comes from the name of the sacred tree of the temple Punga Maram. This is an ancient temple. Renovations of the temple were carried out during the period of Rajendra Chola.
- Alankar of Deity
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and Prayers
Devotees throng the temple for relief from the adverse aspects of serpent planets and sin effects of past birth. They pray to Lord Shivalokanathar in anthill form for mental peace, employment opportunity, development in professions and it is the strong faith of the devotees that He would not fail them
Offerings to DeityDevotees offer the punugu paste -a cosmetic paste-to Lord Shivalokanathar at about 8.30 p.m. on Mondays with Tirukuvalai pujas. Those facing long delays in the wedding due to serpent planet aspects make silver pieces with snake symbol and place them in the Hundi. They also offer Wedding garlands with Parihara Archanas. For relief from the sin effects of the past births, devotees perform special Archana to Lord Vinayaka, Shiva, Mother Ambika, Lord Muruga and Sage Agasthya (Pancha Puja-five pujas). Devotees perform special abhisheks to Mother Ambika and Lord with cosmetic powders, oils, milk, curd, sacred ash, rose water, green coconut, pachamirtha, lime fruit, honey, sandal etc. and offer vastras. They also contribute for the renovation of the temple
Stotras and Mantras
- Festivals10-day Vaikasi Visakam Brahmmotsavam with Lord’s procession each day is the most important festival of the temple. The devotee crowd in the temple on the monthly Pradosham days is usually huge. Special pujas and Aradhanas are performed in the temple on Deepavali day in October-November, Pongal falling almost on January 14 except in Leap Years and Tamil and English new year days are grandly celebrated in the temple
- Sodasha Upcharas
- Prasadhas
- Social ActivitiesAnnadhanMarriageEar BoringHead ShaveDanaasEducation FacilitiesSocial DrivesOther Activities
- Arjita Seva
- Tags