Sri Thiruppayatrunathar Temple

🛕 Lord Shiva | 📍 Thirupayathangudi, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

Temple Tags: Ancient Temple Chola Temple Nayanmar Temple Paadal Petra Sthalam Sambandar Temple Tevaram Temple

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📍 Open in Maps

⏰ Darshan

Morning: 07:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 04:00 PM – 08:30 PM

📅 Best Time to Visit

October to March is generally comfortable for pilgrimage.

📸 Photography

Not Allowed

🔱 Temple Significance

Sri Thiruppayatrunathar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple at Thirupayathangudi in Nagapattinam district. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Thiruppayatrunathar, also known as Mukthapureeswarar, with Goddess Kavianganni / Nethrambigai as the consort.

The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams praised in the Tevaram hymns and is associated with Saint Tirunavukkarasar (Appar). The temple is particularly known as a place associated with prayers for eye-related ailments, with devotees worshipping Nethrambigai and taking a sacred bath in Karuna Theertham as part of the traditional belief.

🏛 Temple History

The historical name of the temple village was Thirupayattrur. According to the traditional sthala puranam, a Shiva-devoted merchant used to carry pepper to the ancient port of Nagapattinam for overseas trade. When he encountered a toll/check point where pepper would attract tax, he prayed to Lord Shiva to transform the pepper into pulses (payaru). Shiva fulfilled his prayer, and after crossing the check point the pulses are said to have returned to pepper.

Because of this legend, the Lord came to be known as Thiruppayatrunathar, and the place became known as Thirupayattrur. The merchant is also traditionally believed to have spent his profits on renovating the temple.

The temple is believed to have existed before the 7th century because of Appar's Tevaram connection. It was later rebuilt in stone during the Chola period. Inscriptions from the reign of Rajaraja Chola III are found at the temple, recording land donations and endowments. Later additions are associated with the Thanjavur Nayakas and Nattukottai Nagarathars.

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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

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No special rituals available currently.

🎉 Temple Festivals

No festivals available.

🔔 Darshan Timings & Rules

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Dress Code

Traditional and modest clothing is recommended.

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Photography

Not allowed

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Prasad

Not available

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Prasad Details

Temple prasadam is available according to temple arrangements.

🧭 Pilgrim Travel Tips

Visit during the morning hours for a peaceful darshan.
Check the temple opening hours before travelling.
Devotees traditionally visit this temple for prayers related to eye health.
Take a bath in or worship at Karuna Theertham according to local temple practice.
Worship Goddess Kavianganni / Nethrambigai for traditional eye-health prayers.
Wear modest traditional clothing.
Follow temple instructions regarding photography.
Spend time viewing the Chola-period inscriptions and architecture.
The temple is useful to include in a Cauvery southern-bank Tevaram temple circuit.
Combine the visit with nearby Tevaram temples around Thirumarugal, Tirupugalur and the Nannilam region.