Sri Palaivananathar Temple, Thiruppaalaitturai, Papanasam - 275 Shiva Temples

19. Sri Palaivananathar Temple, Thiruppaalaitturai, Papanasam (Chola Nadu - South of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Palaivananathar, Sri Palaivaneswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Dhavala Vennakai Mangai, Sri Dhavalambikai
Holy water (Theertham) : Vashishta Theertham, Yama Theertham, Indra Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Palm tree
Thevaram : Thirunavukkarasar
District : Thanjavur.
Location : Papanasam.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 04:30 p.m. to 07:30 p.m

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This is the 19th sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Thiruppalaithurai is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located on the river banks of Cauvery in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva built during the regime of Chola Dynasty; the Kings of Vijayanagara also have made abundance of contributions to this temple. In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.

Important Features:

It is considered as one of 275 Paadal Petral Stalams.
400year old Circular cum Conical Granary can store 3000 Kalams of Grain.
One of the 17 Devaram Praised Temples to be named after a Tree.
One of the 21 sacred ‘Thurai’ sthalams.
Palaivana Nathar provides darshan in Tiger’s skin.
Vashista installs Shiva lingam.
Pandya King liberated from curse.
Kalyana Kolam Temple.

Located 15kms West of Kumbakonam and one km East of Papanasam on the Southern Banks of Kudamurutti (a tributary of Cauvery) is the ancient Palaivana Nathar temple in Thiru Palaithurai whose legend extends across the four Yugams. The temple in its current form and structure dates back to the 12th century AD to the Chozha Period. Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) has praised the Lord in 11 verses with each of the verse ending with ‘Palaith Thuraiyarey’.

One finds a 5 Tier Rajagopuram at the Eastern Entrance that has beautiful sculptures recording mythological stories. There are three prakaras. The original construction of the temple complex was of brick with Chozhas improving upon it and making it stronger with Granite Construction in the 12th Century AD. Inside the temple in the inner prakara on the upper wall on the western side, one finds beautiful paintings and several different sculptures depicting ancient stories.

There are 11 inscriptions dating back to the Chozha Period and the 12th Century AD that provide insights into the gifting of tax free land, donations towards conduct of Aadi Pooram festival. Inscriptions relate to the rule of Kulothunga Chozhan I and III, Vikrama Chozhan and Raja Raja Chozhan II and III.

During the rule of Kulothunga I, taxes to be paid by this village to bigger town of Nallur was waived.

Later period inscriptions relate to Pandya and Vijayanagar rulers. The pillars in the Maha Mandapa was renovated and improved upon during the Vijayanagara period.

There are two sacred tanks inside the temple one relating to Indra and the other dating back to the period of Vashista Rishi. Saneeswaran is seen facing Mahalakshmi at this temple. Lord Subramanya has taken the form of the 6 faced Shanmugha at this temple.

History / Legend:

To test the severity of the penance the rishis who were seeking Mukthi, Lord Shiva and Parvathi took the form of Bikshandar and Mohini. Angered at finding them, the rishis created a Tiger from the Yagna and let go the fierce animal on them. It was here at Thiru Palithurai that Lord Shiva killed the Tiger and appeared before the rishis with the Tiger’s skin as his dress.

Seeking the title of Brahmma Rishi, Vashista installed a Shiva Lingam and undertook severe penance. Pleased with his prayers, Shiva appeared before him and anointed him. He also directed Sculptor Vishwakarma to install a beautiful smiling idol of Ambal south of this Sannidhi.

Another story goes that an arrogant Malaiathuvacha Pandya ignored the advice of kalava Rishi and was cursed to become a bear. The king’s wife invoked the blessings of Agastya Rishi who directed the bear to go the Chozha Kingdom and to the sacred Thiru Palaithurai. Once here, the bear was chased down by a hunter. A fear struck bear jumped into the Cauvery south of the temple. Instantly, he was liberated from his curse and he regained his original form. Delighted at this, Malaiathuvacha Pandya built the Mandapa and initiated the Kalyana Utsavam at this temple.

Thiru Pali Thurai is one of the 21 Sacred ‘Thurai’ Sthalams on the banks of Cauvery. Some of the others include ‘Maliyadu’ Thurai, ‘Maan’ Thurai, ‘Aavadu’ Thurai, ‘Poon’ Thurai, ‘Sen’ Thurai and ‘Then Kurankadu’ Thurai.

This is one of the 17 sacred Devaram praised temples named after a tree. Some of the others include Thillai Vanam, Thiru Nellikka, Thiru Pananthaal, Vilva Vanam, Thiru Erukaththam Puliyur and Thiru Idai Maruthur.

This is one of the 7 sacred temples around Thiru Nallur where Appar was blessed by Lord Shiva. The others are Govindakudi, Aavur, Pasupatheesaram, Maaligaithidal, Mattaiyaamthidal and Uththani.

This is one of the 8temples in Chozha Kingdom where Lord Shiva and Ambal are seen in a Kalyana Kolam. The others are Thiru Vidaimaruthur, Thiru Kanjanur, Thiru Maan Thurai, Thiru Ambarmaakaalam, Thiru Chotruthurai, Thiru Valanjchuzhi and Thirukkara Veeram.

There is a huge 36 feet high 400 year old Granary on the Northern side of the Raja Gopuram at the Eastern entrance. This was built by Raghunatha Nayak of Thanjavur in the early 17th century AD. This is circular at the bottom and conical at the top with three different entrances – one on the Western side at the bottom and one each in the middle and the top on the Southern side. The granary has the capacity to hold 3000 kalams of grains.

Location: This temple is sitauted 2 Kms from Papanasam on the Thanjavur - Kumbakonam road.

Temple Address & Contact Details:

Sri Palaivaneswarar Temple,
Tirupalaithurai,
Papanasam Taluk,
Thanjavur District.
Pin code: 614 205.
Phone: 94435 24410 ; Venkatesh auto @ 99428 80433.