Thirupungur Sivaloganathar Swamy Temple | Thirupungur Shiva Temple

Sri Sivaloganathar Swamy Temple

Sivalokanathar Temple is situated in Tiruppunkur, a small village about 2 kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil close to the town of Mayiladuthurai.This place was once surrounded by Pungu trees and hence the name Thirupungur.

The Shiva lingam is one of the 64 Swayambhu (Self showed) lingams and should have come from an ant colony dwelling place. The Nandi here is likewise a Suyambhu. The Presiding Deity is Shivalokanathar and Goddess is Soundaryanayaki. Vinayakar is said to have harvested a tank here for nandanar on Lord Shiva's orders and is known as Kulam Vettiya Vinayakar. Devotees offering their petitions to Kulam Vettiya Vinayakar are believed to have their desires satisfied.

Sthala Purana:

Lord Shiva Temple That Played An Important Role In Saint Nandanar's Life

Nandanar who wished to worship Sivalokanathar started his journey from Adanur. Unable to enter the temple premises due to caste discrimination, Nandanar decided to adore the Lord from the entrance itself. But due to the presence of Nandi straight to the Lord Shiva, Nandanar couldn't able to see the Lord's face. So with heavy regret, he soulfully thought that can't the Nandi pave the way for his darshan? On hearing this, Lord Shiva ordered Nandi to move away so that Nandanar could offer his prayers to the Lord.  As instructed, Nandi paved the way for Nandanar to rever Lord Shiva which became the significance of this temple. One can see Nandi even now, paving the way for devotees to worship Lord Shiva.

Once there was a contest between Shiva and Parvathi, on who was more handsome or beautiful. When They asked Vishnu to judge it, He delegated this delicate task to Brahma. The latter threw a Darba grass and said that the answer would be available at the place, where the grass fell. The grass fell at Tirupunukur and Shiva appears here in five beautiful Lingams ( Pancha Lingams with Nandi, below the Sthala Vruksham) and Ambal appears as a beautiful goddess, Soundaranayaki (Soundaryam= beauty). When They met here, Shiva appeared to be the most handsome man to Parvathi and Parvathi appeared to be the most beautiful lady to Shiva! This story is narrated to show that such kinds of contests between the life partners will result in disharmony and if there is mutual admiration, life would be happy. Hence this temple is suggested for those couples who are facing strains in their relationships.

Temple Timings & Address:

The temple is open from 6 am to 11 am and from 4 pm to 8.30 pm.

Address: Sri Shivaloka Nathar Temple,

Tirupungur-609 112, Nagapattinam district.

முந்தி நின்ற வினைக ளவைபோகச் சிந்தி 
நெஞ்சே சிவனார் திருப்புங்கூர் . . . !