Ponvaithanathar Temple

🛕 Lord Shiva | 📍 Sithaymur, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu

Temple Tags: Ancient Temple Chola Temple Famous Temple Nayanmar Temple Paadal Petra Sthalam South India Temple Spiritual Healing Temple Tevaram Temple

✔ Verified by Mandirvaas

📍 Open in Maps

⏰ Darshan

Morning: 06:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 04:00 PM – 08:00 PM

📅 Best Time to Visit

Early morning or evening

📸 Photography

Not Allowed

🔱 Temple Significance

Ponvaithanathar Temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the sacred Shiva temples praised in the Tamil Shaiva devotional tradition. The temple has been praised by the Nayanmar saints Appar and Sundarar. Wikipedia identifies it as a Shiva temple in Tiruvarur district, located near Aalathampadi between Tiruvarur and Thiruthuraipoondi.

The presiding deity is Ponvaithanathar, also known as Swarna Sthaapaneswarar, and the Goddess is Akilandeswari. The temple is traditionally associated with wealth and prosperity. Local temple tradition states that devotees who worship Ponvaithanathar are blessed with prosperity.

One of the temple's distinctive traditions is connected with Brahma Rishi. According to the temple legend, when the temple doors had already been closed before the sage could perform the midnight worship, he took the form of a bee, entered through a small opening and worshipped Lord Shiva. Even today, beehives are traditionally associated with the temple's Ardha Mandapa, and worship is offered to them.

🏛 Temple History

The temple is traditionally considered to be 1,000–2,000 years old and its historical name is Thiruccirremam. It belongs to the ancient Shaiva temple tradition of the Cauvery delta.

The temple is traditionally identified as the 106th Thevaram shrine on the southern bank of the Cauvery. Its inclusion in the Paadal Petra Sthalam tradition reflects the importance of the shrine in medieval Tamil Shaivism.

The legends associated with Brahma Rishi, the bee and the temple's sacred traditions have continued as part of the temple's religious heritage.

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Daily Poojas

Regular temple worship schedule

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No daily poojas available.

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Special Rituals

Sacred offerings and temple rituals

🕉️

No special rituals available currently.

🎉 Temple Festivals

No festivals available.

🧭 Pilgrim Travel Tips

Thiruthuraipoondi is a convenient transport point for reaching Sithaymur.
Tiruvarur is another useful base for pilgrims visiting the temple.
Check the temple's opening hours before travelling.
Morning darshan is available from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Evening darshan is available from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Vaikasi Visakam is an important festival.
Pilgrims can combine this temple with other Paadal Petra Sthalams in the Tiruvarur–Thiruthuraipoondi region.
Wear suitable temple attire.
During festivals, allow additional time for darshan and transportation.
For special poojas, confirm the procedure with the temple authorities before travelling.