Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Nallathur – The Temple

Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Nallathur – The Temple

The Temple is facing east with three tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Swarnapureeswarar / Ponnambalanathar. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy facing east. There are temples in Tamilnadu that do not have doors of the sanctum sanctorum but a stone wall with holes as in windows. This is called Palakani in Tamil. This temple belongs to this category. It is said that Shivalingas being looked into through holes are of Fire nature. The devotee cannot have that power of the body or soul to see the Lord directly. It is believed that worshipping through wall holes gives the devotee the strength and power to do his/her prayers.

The Navagraha Yantra – a disc in which the powers of the planets are collectively embodied – is installed under the feet of the presiding deity Lord Swarnapureeswarar. There is also a Nandhi Mandapam. The Dwarapalakas (securities) at the entrance of shrine are close to the wall in Shiva temples. Here, they are conveniently placed with sufficient space around and the devotee can circumambulate them with prayers.

Mother is called as Thiripurasundari. It is noteworthy that Mahameru (the standing form Sri Chakra) is installed under the Feet of Mother Maha Thiripurasundari. There is a shrine for Lord Kala Samhara Murthy who hit Lord Yama, the God of Death to protect Sage Markandeya. Those aspiring longevity perform pujas here. Maha Mryutyanja Homa (a ritual to beat Lord Yama) is performed in the temple on Tiruvadhirai day in December-January. The place is also revered as Vada (north) Thirukkadaiyur where Lord Amrutha Kadeswarar hit Yama to protect Sage Markandeya.

There is a lotus sculpture with 24 petals in the Chokkattan Mandapam (dice hall) upside down in a three-tier form telling attesting architectural skills of the bygone era. It is believed that praying from this mandapam brings total peace in families. There is a sculpture in the Maha mandapam of the temple depicting Maha Saraswathi, Goddess of wisdom, playing the Veena named Karna Vidayini. Those aspiring higher education and educational skills worship Mother Karna Vidayini.

Though a Shiva Temple, all importance goes to Lord Muruga. He is gracing the devotees with his consorts Valli & Deivanai. The flag post of the temple is before the shrine of Lord Muruga. Skanda Sashti in October-November is the Brahmmotsavam of the temple. There is a shrine for Lord Sundara Vinayaka, as the very name aptly suggests, is very handsome. Those having pimples or scars in face worship Sundara Vinayaka applying sandal paste.

There are shrines for Venugopala with his consorts Rukmini & Satyabhama, Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswara, Sun, Moon, Anjaneya, Navagrahas the nine planets, divine cow Kamadenu, Bhairava, Sani Bhagwan (Saturn) in the prakaram. During the British rule, Pagoda daughter of the Cuddalore district collector prayed to Lord Shiva for restoration of her eye sight. As Lord granted her prayer, she offered a big bell to the temple the sound of which is audible even at a long distance. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree.