Tiru Payatrunathar, Tirupayathangudi, Nagapattinam

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Tiru Payatrunathar	Ambal / Thayar:	Kaviyangkanni Ammai, Nethrambigai
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	TiruppayaTTrur
Vriksham:	Silanthi	Teertham:	Devi Teertham, Karuna Teertham
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	8 to 11 & 6 to 8	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai)	–
Sung by:	, Appar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tirupayathangudi	District:	Nagapattinam
Maps from (click):	Current location	Tiruvarur (14 km)	Nagapattinam (22 km)
	Mayiladuthurai (38 km)	Kumbakonam (46 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

In olden times, this town – located just 15 km from the coast, and between the Arasilar River and the Vettaru River – was a checkpoint and marketplace for import and export trade. Once, a trader who was a staunch Siva devotee, had imported pepper, hoping to use his profits from its sale in the service of Siva and His devotees. However, pepper was taxable at a very high rate of duty, and he realized he would lose his profits entirely due to the taxes. So he prayed to Lord Siva. Overnight, due to Siva’s grace, the pepper converted into pulses (payitru or payiru in Tamil) on which there was no tax, and the trader was able to take it across without paying tax. After he crossed the inspection, the pulses converted back to pepper. The trader sold his goods and spent his profits entirely in the service of Siva. Pleased with his devotion and the trader keeping up his word, Siva later granted him salvation.

Siva gets His name Payatrunathar from the above story. In Sanskrit, the Lord’s name is Mudgapureeswarar; mudga in Sanskrit also refers to pulses, specifically what is called moong dal. (In the 4^th anuvakam of the Chamakam, there is a line that includes the word मुद्गाश्चमे / Mudgaschame – referring to pulses.)

Because of the temple’s and town’s historical association with trading, this is a prarthana sthalam for traders to do well in business. Parvati is worshipped here for getting rid of eye-related illnesses.

This is a Chola temple built by Raja Raja Chola II, and there are also inscriptions in the temple that refer to this and other kings, as well as incidents related to the temple. In place of Durga it is Veera Mahakali who is present. The temple also features a vavvaal-nethi mandapam (mandapam’s design like the forehead of a bat). Dakshinamurti and the Sanaka Sages are beautifully depicted in bas relief. The koshtam and vimanam are simple yet attractive, and classic Chola.

Other information for your visit

The temple priest lives in the street leading up to the temple’s entrance. So in case the temple is locked, someone will likely be around to assist and get the temple opened for devotees to worship.