Thalapureeswarar Temple / Panangattu Easwarar Temple

Overview

The Sri Panankatteesar Temple is located in Puravar Panankattur. Lord Shiva is worshipped at the temple as Panankatteesar. The temple is over 1000 years old. This is said to be the place where the Sun God worshipped Lord Siva. This temple is close to Kanchipuram. On the way to Kalavai, Vembakkam and Perungkattur you can find Thirupanangadu cross (Junction ). The temple is 2 KM from this point. Cars can go up to the temple. The temple is praised by saint Sundarar in his Thevaram hymns. Describing the glory of Panangattur Lord Shiva, Sundarar says that what people could think of if they fail to think of Lord Shiva who holds in Him those free from cunnings, the Great Mother as His part and having Pananangattor His abode. This is the 19th Shiva Temple in Thondaimandalam region praised in Thevaram hymns.

About The Temple

The temple houses two sacred palm trees, one of which is male and the other is female. While Sage Agasthya installed Thalapureeswarar, his disciple Pulasthya installed another one nearby named Krubapureeswarar on a square peeta. Both are revered as the presiding deities as one Shiva. Thalapureeswarar, worshipped by sage Agsthya is worshipped as the first and prominent deity. The main entrance is opposite Krubapureeswarar shrine. Both are under Gajabrushta vimana – roof above the sanctum sanctorum. On the wall of Thalapureeswarar sanctum are Lingodhbava, Mother Durga. Lord Vishnu is behind the sanctum of Lord Krubapureeswarar with Chandikeswara on the left. There is only one Palli room. Mother-Goddesses for the Lords are in separate shrines facing south. Mother Amirthavalli is slightly taller than Mother Krubapuri Ambal. Lord Dakshinamurthy appears differently with His left leg folded with Nandhi below Him. In the Vinayaka shrine, there is a serpent deity left of Lord Vinayaka shrine while another Vinayaka on the right has Mother on His lap. Planet Saturn – Sani Bhagwan is under the Vanni tree outside the temple. People use to do archanas to him with vanni leaves for relief from the planet’s adverse effects. Nearby is Saint Yogananda Muneeswarar in a separate shrine under the neem tree. Before worshipping Lord Shiva, devotees worship Muneeswarar. Sri Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Big Vinayaka-Peria Vinayakar. The Vimana is of Gajabrusha design. The Raja gopuram is of three tier structure.

About The Deity

There are two presiding deities, Thalapureeswarar (Panangattu Easwarar) and Krubapureeswarar in the temple. The Dwarapalakas (securities) in Krubapureeswarar shrine are standing on a lotus shaped peeta. A Nandhi on Sun God, a crescent moon on Moon himself, Aiyappan on elephant appear different from traditional forms. There are shrines for Lords Nataraja, Tirupathi Venkatachalapathy, Meenakshi Chokkanathar and Mahalingam.

Legend and Stories

Saint Sundarar was on his way to this place from Kancheepuram. When it was midday, he and his followers were hungry and became tired. Lord Shiva came there as an old man and served them food. Sundarar asked him for water. The old man said that he and his men would have it and moved. A spring came up there with sweet water. When Sundarar asked him who he was, the old man simply disappeared saying he was a resident of Panangadu who earlier stopped his marriage. Sundarar, with the privilege of a friend sang in praise of the Lord in funny words. The spring created by the Lord is a little away from the temple. It never goes dry. Special pujas are performed here as “Kattamudhu” during the Brahmmotsavam festival.

Another legend says, During his journey in south, Sage Agasthya desired to worship Lord Shiva in this place and did so with his mind set on the Lord. Lord told the sage through a voice that He was there as a Swayambu Linga nearby under a neem tree. He saw another sage in meditation. When enquired about the Linga, the Sage showed Agasthya the Linga and turned into meditation again. But Agasthya had no water to perform the puja. Knowing the Sage’s difficulty, Lord poured the Ganga water on His head which also became a holy spring named Jada Ganga Theertham – spring that came from the tuft of Lord. When Agasthya wanted fruits to offer the Lord for nivedhana, Lord dropped the palm fruits. Pleased with the pujas of Sage Agasthya, Lord granted darshan to him. As Lord dropped palm fruits, He is also named Thalapureeswarar, Thalam-Palm tree.

Festivals

The temple celebrates the 10-day Masi Brahmmotsavam for Lord Thalapureeswarar, Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and the Arudra Darshan in December-January.

Thanks Giving

Devotees perform abishek, archanas and offer vastras to Lord and Mother.

Significance

Those seeking child boon pray to Lord offering palm fruit and consume it then. People also pray for prosperity and for healing eye related diseases. They also circumambulate these trees and pray to Lord Shiva for removal of adverse aspects affecting wedding proposals.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is at Chennai.

Railways

The nearest major railway station is Kanchipuram railway station.

Road

This paadal petra sthalam is located 16 Kms from Kancheepuram. Bus facilities from Kancheepuram are available.

Temple Address

Sri Thalapureeswarar(Panangattu Easwarar), Krubanatheswarar Temple,
Tirupanangadu-604 410,
Tiruvan Parthan,
Panangattur,
Tiruvannamalai district.