Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur

Sivalokanathar Temple
Sivalokanathar Temple Location in Tamil Nadu
Geography
Coordinates	11°7′50″N 79°47′24″E / 11.13056°N 79.79000°ECoordinates: 11°7′50″N 79°47′24″E / 11.13056°N 79.79000°E
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Nagapatnam
Location	Tamil Nadu, India
Culture
Primary deity	Sivalokanathar(Shiva)
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian architecture

Sri Sivalokanathar Temple is a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to the god Shiva. The temple is situated in the village of Tirupunkur or Thirupunkur which lies about 3 miles west of Vaitheeswaran Koil.^[1] The temple is associated with the legend of the Saivite saint Nandanar who was one of the 63 Nayanmars. While being a Dalit, Nandanar was not allowed inside the temple, the idol of Nandi within the temple precincts moved a few inches at the command of Shiva so as not to obstruct Nandanar's view from the gate of the shrine.

Literary Mention

Tirunavukkarasar describes the feature of the deity of Tirupunkur and Thiruneedur as:^[2]

“

கையெலாம் நெய்பாயக் கழுத்தே கிட்டக் கால்நிமிர்த்து நின்றுண்ணுங் கையர் சொன்ன பொய்யெலாம் மெய்யென்று கருதிப் புக்குப் புள்ளுவரா லகப்படா துய்யப் போந்தேன் செய்யலலெஞ் செழுங்கமலப் பழன வேலித் திருப்புன்கூர் மேவிய சிவலோ கனை நெய்தல்வாய்ப் புனற்படப்பை நீடூ ரானை நீதனேன் என்னேநான் நினையாவாறே.

”

Notes

1. Suddhananda Bharathi (1970). The grand epic of Saivism. Tirunelveli: South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Pub. Society. p. 256.
2. Tiruanvukkarasar Tevaram, VI: 11: 9

References

• Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu. Sura Books. p. 64. ISBN 81-7478-177-3, ISBN 978-81-7478-177-2.

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  Main entrance
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  Nandhi(front view)
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  Nandhi (rear view)
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  From inside the temple(Nandhanar shrine next to Rajagopuram)
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  Vimana of Nandhanar shrine near Rajagopuram
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  Nandhanar shrine outside the temple (Front view)
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  Nandhanar shrine outside the temple (Rear view)