Tiru-Payatru-Nathar temple, Tiru-Payatrur
Location
Tiru-Payatrur (Tiru-Payathan-Kudi)
Deity
Tiru-Payatru-Nathar, Mukthi-Pureeswarar
Female Deity
Nethrambikai
Pathikam
Tirunavukarasar - 1
Tiru-Payatreeswarar Temple Photos
How to Reach
This shiva temple is located about 15 km from Tiruvarur via Surakkudi.
Temple Address
Thiruppayathankudi
Thiruppayathankudi Post
Via Kangalancheri
Nagapattinam District
PIN – 610101
Temple Hours
Morning : 6:00 - 12:30
Evening : 4:00 - 8:00
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Temple Layout and Shrines
Outer Prakaram
This east-facing temple is entered through the eastern gateway, where devotees are greeted by Nandi and the Bali Peetam. In the northern part of the outer prakaram is a separate sannidhi for Dhandapani (Murugan). The outer circumambulatory corridor houses the sannidhis of Siddhi Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Bhairava Maharishi, Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Viswanathar with Goddess Visalakshi, Mahalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Veeramakali, Bhairavar, Surya, Chandra, and Somaskandar.
Presiding Deities
The presiding deity of this temple is a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Lingam, revered for its divine origin. Special poojas and rituals are conducted for the deity on every Monday during the Tamil month of Karthigai, attracting large numbers of devotees. The sannidhi of the Goddess, which faces south, presents a graceful and majestic sight. She appears with four arms, blessing devotees with the Abhaya Mudra in her lower right hand, while holding a Rudraksha Mala in one left hand and a lotus in her upper right hand. Her lower left hand rests elegantly on her thigh, enhancing her serene and compassionate form. During the Tamil month of Aadi, special abhishekams and elaborate poojas are performed for the Goddess on every Friday, making it an especially auspicious time to seek Her blessings.
Relief from the Evil Eye
The Somaskandar sannidhi in the temple's large mandapam is of special significance. Bhairava Maharishi is believed to have worshipped the deity at this sacred place, and he has a separate sannidhi here. Unlike many Shiva temples, there is no sannidhi for Goddess Durga. Instead, Goddess Veeramakali has a separate sannidhi. It is traditionally believed that worshipping Her relieves devotees from the effects of the evil eye and negative energies.
Sthala Puranam
The Miracle of Pepper Turning into Pulses
In ancient times, a merchant who was a devout devotee of Lord Shiva earned his livelihood through the pepper trade. On one occasion, while transporting sacks of pepper to the seaport for export through this place, he noticed a customs checkpoint nearby. During those days, pepper was subject to customs duty, whereas pulses could be transported without any tax. The merchant prayed earnestly to the deity of this temple, requesting that his pepper be transformed into pulses until he crossed the checkpoint. By the divine grace, the sacks of pepper had miraculously turned into pulses the following morning. After safely passing through the customs post, they reverted to pepper once again. Filled with gratitude, the merchant dedicated the profits from his trade to the service of the temple. This divine incident gave the temple the name Tiru-Payatrur, and the presiding deity came to be known as Tiru-Payatrunathar.
The Legend of the Cure for Eye Ailments
An inscription found at this temple records that a resident of Tiru-Payattrur named Pancha-Natha-Vaanan suffered from a serious eye disease. Praying to the Deity for a cure, his community purchased half a maa (a measurement) of land belonging to Tiru-Chitrambalam-Udaiyan for six hundred kasu and dedicated it to the temple. This inscription serves as historical evidence of the faith placed in the Lord's power to heal eye disorders.
It is traditionally believed that devotees suffering from eye ailments can obtain relief by taking a holy dip in the Karuna Theertham and worshipping Goddess Nethrambikai together with Tiru-Payatrunathar. This practice, supported by inscriptional evidence, continues to be observed by devotees even today.
Tiruppayattreeswarar Temple - Gallery
