Thirupalaithurai

Thirupalaithurai, Papanasam

Padal Petra Sthalam, Thanjavur District

God

Palaivananadar (also Palaivaneswarar), facing east

Goddess

Thavalambigai, facing east

Other Deities

Vinayaga, Muruga, Mahalakshmi, Somaskanda, Vasishta Lingam, Arjuna Lingam, Malayathuvasan Lingam, 63 Nayanmars, Natarajar, Bhairava, Surya, Chandran, Saneeswara, Navagraha, Arthanareeswarar, Pitchadanar. Sanctum Niches – Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara,

Thirupalaithurai, Papanasam is an ancient and important temple in this circuit. The temple has a 5 tier Rajagopuram at the entrance in the east followed by a 3 tiered Gopuram to the inner Prakaram. A conical 36 ft tall granary constructed by the Nayak Rulers between 1600 and 1634 CE is found here. This granary capable of holding about 775000 liters of content indicates the volume of grain contributions to the Thirupalaithurai temple in ancient times. But it is today abandoned.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Indra Theertham, Vasishtatheertham, Imaya Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Paalai (Wrightia tinctoria)

History

Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) has rendered Thevaram hymns here at Thirupalaithurai. Stone inscriptions belonging to the times of Kulothunga Chola I (1070 – 1122 CE) and III (1178 to 1218 CE), Vikrama Chola (c 1120 CE), Rajaraja II (c 1146 CE) and III (c 1216 CE)can be seen here at Thirupalaithurai. The inscriptions refer to this place as ‘Nithivinotha Valanattu Nallur Naattai Chaerndha Oor’ and the name of the Lord as ‘Thirupalaithurai Mahadevar’. Thirupalaithurai temple is estimated to have been converted to stone structures during the period of Kulothunga Chola I.

Legend

Perumal, Brahma, Thikkubalagargal, Vasishta and Devas are believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva here at Thirupalaithurai. Shiva here is believed to have killed and worn the skin of the tiger sent by the arrogant sages of Tharuga Forest. Arjuna of the Pancha Pandavas is believed to have come here to worship and learn the finer skills of archery on the advise of Sage Dhaumya. This enabled him to venture into the nether world where he ends up marrying Uloopi, the Naga Princess.

Directions

Thirupalaithurai, Papanasam is on the main road from Thanjavur to Kumbakonam.

Stay and Food

Kumbakonam is advisable for stay. Simple food is available in Papanasam.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples