Sakshinatheswarar Temple, Thiruppurambiyam

The deity's name comes from a legend recorded in the Tiruvilayadal Puranam and the temple's sthala purana. According to the Dinamalar guide, a young woman named Rathnavalli came here with the man she was to marry; he died of a snakebite, and the saint Thirugnana Sambandar is said to have restored him to life and arranged their wedding at this temple. Shiva is believed to have stood witness (sakshi) to the marriage, with the temple's vanni tree also as witness, hence the name Sakshinatheswarar.

Another tradition explains the place name: the great deluge (pralaya) is said to have left this spot untouched, and the Ganesha who protected it is worshipped as Pralayam Katha Vinayagar. On Vinayaka Chaturthi this image receives an abhishekam of honey; the Dinamalar guide notes that it is not bathed on other days and that devotees regard the absorption of the honey as remarkable. The temple is also counted among 24 places associated with Dakshinamurthy, whose shrine stands on the bank of the tank, and legend says sages including Agastya and Vishvamitra worshipped here.

The Dinamalar guide records that the temple was praised by Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Sundarar, as well as by Arunagirinathar, and counts it as the 46th of the Tevaram temples on the northern bank of the Kaveri.

This is an active temple in a village setting: dress modestly, leave footwear outside and follow the priests' instructions on photography. Confirm current darshan timings and festival arrangements with the temple or the Madurai Adheenam before travelling.

Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Madurai Adheenam (per Wikipedia and the Dinamalar guide) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.