Thirunanipalli, Punjai

Padal Petra Sthalam, Nagapattinam District

God

Natrunaiappar, facing east

Goddess

Parvathaputhiri, Malayan Madanthai, facing west

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Agastya, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Surya, Nataraja

Thirunanipalli has some amazingly detailed and beautiful sculptures and idols. A large temple pond is found to the north of the temple though unclear whether this is the official tank.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Swarna Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Punnai? (Calophyllum inophyllum)

History

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar (7th – 8th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Thirunanipalli. This is the birthplace of Thirugnanasambandar’s mother Bhagawagthi. In the Chola period this temple was called “Jayan konda valanaattu aakkoor naattupirathameyamaagiya nanipalli ”. The ancestor of Rajaraja Chola, Parantaka Chola I (907–950) developed Thirunanipalli temple.

Legend

The singing of Thevaram hymns by Thirugnanasambandar here at Thirunanipalli is believed to have changed an arid land (Paalai) into sea shore vegetation (Neidhal) and then into a cropland (Marudham). Agastya is said to have had the divine vision of the Lord’s marriage in Mount Kailash here at Thirunanipalli.

Directions

Thirunanipalli is on the Mayiladuthurai to Poompuhar road. Ponsei (Punjai) is about 12 Kilometers from Mayiladuthurai and comes after you cross the Cauvery River Bridge.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Mayiladuthurai.

Padal Petra Sthalams