Basic information about the temple
| Moolavar: | Aruna Jadeswarar | Ambal / Thayar: | Periyanayaki |
| Deity: | Siva | Historical name: | Tiruppanamthal |
| Vriksham: | Panamaram | Teertham: | Brahma Teertham |
| Agamam: | Age (years): | Timing: | 6 to 12 & 5.30 to 9.30 | Parikaram: |
| Temple group: | Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Vada Karai) | – | |
| Sung by: | Temple set: | ||
| Navagraham: | Nakshatram: | ||
| City / town: | Tirupanandal | District: | Thanjavur |
| Maps from (click): | Current location | Kumbakonam (21 km) | Mayiladuthurai (24 km) |
| Tiruvarur (49 km) | Ariyalur (52 km) |
Location
Tiruppanandal is located almost midway between Kumbakonam and Gangaikonda Chola Puram.
Sthala puranam and temple information
This west-facing temple is connected with two legends of a swambhu murti who obliged his devotees.
Thadagai was a staunch devotee of Lord Siva and used to visit and garland the Lord here every day. One day when she was about the garland the Lord, her upper garment fell down which she had to catch with one hand. This made it difficult for her to garland the Lord with one hand as the garland meant for Siva should be kept on the ground. She failed in her attempts and was very upset. Seeing her plight, Lord Siva obliged her by leaning forward with his head bent to accept the garland. Thadagai happily completed her prayers.
At this time, the temple renovation was underway and the Chola king Manimudi Chola, hearing of the leaning Lingam, tried to set it right, but could not, even when his men tried to tie ropes and pull it using elephants. Ultimately Kunkiliya Kalaya Nayanar came to the temple to assist the king. He tied the lingam at one end of a rope covered with flowers, and tied the other end around his neck. He put in his all might and the merits of his penance, but could not straighten the Lingam. Finally, with his neck being choked he almost neared death, when Lord Siva appeared and straightened himself in deference to the Nayanar’s wish. There is a separate shrine for Kunkiliyakkalaya Nayanar at this temple.
Unlike the male nagas who worshipped at Keelperumpallam, Kalhasti and Thirunageswaram, it is Naga kanni who has worshipped here. This temple is sarpa dosha nivritti sthalam.
This temple has two massive gopurams – a 7-tier rajagopuram on the west, and a 5-tier gopuram on the east. Lord Siva and Parvati are in kalyana kolam. The Durga at this temple is considered extremely powerful.
The temple is closely linked to the concept of Shodashopacharam puja (worship involving 16 steps or procedures), and it is believed that such puja may have originated here.
The Nayanmars Appar and Aiyadigal Kadavarkon, as well as Nambiyandar Nambi, amongst others, have sung at this temple. Arunagirinathar has sung about Murugan at this temple, in his Tiruppugazh.
Other information for your visit
Interestingly, there are very few Siva temples where the palm tree (panamaram in Tamil) is the sthala vriksham. This is one of them, and forms part of the group called Panchatala (or Panchapana) Kshetram. The five panchatala kshetrams are: Soundareswarar, Tirupanaiyur, Tiruvarur, Aruna Jadeswarar, Tirupanandal, Thanjavur, Panangaateeswarar, Panaiyapuram, Viluppuram, Vedapureeswarar, Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai, and Thalapureeswarar, Tirupanangadu, Kanchipuram. Sometimes, Tirumazhapadi is also added to this list.
Kumbakonam is a temple town, and there are a number of temples in and around Kumbakonam. Please visit the pages on Kumbakonam, Near: Kumbakonam, and Near 25: Kumbakonam, for more information on these.
There are limited to no accommodation options at Tiruppanandal. Kumbakonam and its outskirts (including Tiruvidaimaruthur and Veppathur) have several accommodation options for all budgets, including some resorts.
Contact
Gallery
TN Temples Project 