Thiruinnambar

Padal Petra Sthalam, Thanjavur District

God

Thanthondreeswarar (also Ezhutharinadar), facing east

Goddess

Sugandakalyani and Nithyakalyani in 2 Sanctum Sanctorums

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Nalvar, Surya, Chandran, Navagraha, Nataraja

Thiruinnambar is a large temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram at the entrance and large courtyards. Thiruinnambar temple has 2 Prakarams and a Gajaprashta Vimaanam with 5 Kalasams over the Sanctum Sanctorum. Thiruinnambar temple covers an area of about 2 acres. Stucco images on the Vimanam illustrate the Sthala Purana. The Shivalingam and the entrance to the sanctum are huge and the Natarajar image is of great workmanship. Nityakalyani Amman is east facing and situated to the right of Shiva representing the Kalyanakkolam (Wedding) and there is a separate shrine for Sugandha Kalyani in the outer Prakaram.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Airavatha Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Pala (Jackfruit – Artocarpus heterophyllus), Shanbagam (Michelia champaka)

History

Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram hymns here at Thiruinnambar. Inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagar periods are found in Thiruinnambar temple. A Chola inscription calls this place as “Vadakarai Innambar Naattu Innambar”.

Legend

Airavatha, Lord Indra’s white elephant is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva here at Thiruinnambar. Sage Agastya is said to have worshiped and received guidance here at Thiruinnambar.

Directions

Thiruinnambar is about 6 kilometers northwest of Kumbakonam. On the Kumbakonam to Swamimalai road take the right to Innambar and onwards to Thirupurambiyam.

Stay and Food

None locally, closest is Kumbakonam

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples