Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur
Shiva (as Sivalokanathar), with Soundarya Nayaki temple · Tirupunkur (near Vaitheeswaran Koil), Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
The Sivalokanathar Temple is a Shiva temple in the village of Tirupunkur (also written Thirupunkur), in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. Wikipedia places the village about three miles west of Vaitheeswaran Koil. Shiva is worshipped here as Sivalokanathar, and his consort as Soundarya Nayaki.
The temple is best known for its association with Nandanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saiva saints). According to the tradition recorded in the Periya Puranam, the great stone Nandi (bull) in front of the sanctum moved aside at Shiva's command so that Nandanar, standing outside, could see the Lord. The temple is also praised in the Tevaram hymns.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur
Nandanar's story is told in the Periya Puranam, the 12th-century Tamil account of the Nayanmars by Sekkizhar. Nandanar, who according to the tradition was not allowed to enter the temple, stood at the gateway longing to see the Lord, but the large Nandi blocked his view. Devotees believe that Shiva ordered Nandi to move, and the Nandi here is still placed off-centre, which Wikipedia describes as the temple's testimony to the story. A stone image of the saint is worshipped in the temple, and Wikipedia notes a shrine to him built in 1959.
Temple lore adds that Ganesha helped Nandanar dig the temple tank, which is named after the saint; the Dinamalar temple guide says Vinayaka dug it in a single night so that Nandanar could bathe before his darshan, and the Ganesha worshipped there is known as Kulam Vettiya Pillaiyar (the Ganesha who dug the tank).
According to the Dinamalar guide, the temple's hymns were sung by all three Tevaram saints, Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Sundarar, and it is the 20th of the Tevaram temples on the northern bank of the Kaveri; Wikipedia notes that Appar's verses describe the deity of Tirupunkur together with that of nearby Thiruneedur. The guide also records a legend of five lingams (Pancha Lingas) that arose where a blade of darbha grass dropped by Shiva fell.
Heritage
History of Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur
The Dinamalar guide gives the punga (Indian beech) tree as the temple's sacred tree (sthala vriksham) and records the place's historical name as Punkur. The guide says the temple was renovated in the period of Rajendra Chola.
The Periya Puranam places Nandanar's home in the village of Adanur in the Chola country, and relates that after his worship at Tirupunkur he returned to Adanur; the climax of his story, in the same tradition, takes place later at Chidambaram. Tirupunkur is therefore one of the main places associated with the saint.
Architecture and sacred features
The lingam is regarded as self-manifested (swayambu) and, according to the Dinamalar guide, has the shape of an anthill. For this reason it is kept under a cover (kuvalai), which the guide says is removed only on Mondays for an offering of punugu (civet paste); at other times devotees see the covered lingam. The door guardians (dwarapalakas) are carved in a bowing posture rather than standing upright, and the off-centre Nandi in front of the sanctum is the temple's best-known feature. The guide lists three sacred tanks: Vrushaba, Devendra and Nandanar theerthams.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
This is an active village temple: dress modestly, leave footwear outside and ask before photographing inside the shrines. Confirm current darshan timings, and the day and time of the weekly removal of the lingam's cover, with the temple before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur
Vaikasi Visakam Brahmotsavam
The temple's main festival, held over ten days with a procession of the deity each day, according to the Dinamalar guide.
Pradosham
The Dinamalar guide notes that the fortnightly Pradosham worship draws large crowds.
Location
How to Reach Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur
The Dinamalar guide places Tirupunkur about 15 km north of Mayiladuthurai and about 3 km from Vaitheeswaran Koil, with buses from Mayiladuthurai and Sirkazhi. It names Mayiladuthurai as the nearest railway station and Tiruchirappalli as the nearest airport.
Location: Tirupunkur (near Vaitheeswaran Koil), Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Tiruchirappalli (per the Dinamalar temple guide)
Nearest railway station: Mayiladuthurai (per the Dinamalar temple guide)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (as Sivalokanathar), with Soundarya Nayaki temples · Temples in Sirkazhi Taluk · Temples in Mayiladuthurai District
Questions
Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Tirupunkur temple associated with Nandanar?
According to the Periya Puranam tradition, Nandanar stood outside the temple and could not see the Lord because of the large Nandi, and Shiva ordered Nandi to move aside. The Nandi is still placed off-centre.
Who is the deity at Tirupunkur?
Shiva is worshipped as Sivalokanathar, a lingam regarded as self-manifested, and the goddess as Soundarya Nayaki.
Who dug the temple tank?
Temple lore says Ganesha helped Nandanar dig the tank, or dug it himself in one night; that Ganesha is worshipped as Kulam Vettiya Pillaiyar.
Is Tirupunkur a Tevaram temple?
Yes. According to the Dinamalar guide it was praised by Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar and is the 20th Tevaram temple on the northern bank of the Kaveri.
Why is the lingam covered?
The Dinamalar guide says the lingam has an anthill shape and is kept under a cover, which is removed only on Mondays for an offering of punugu.
How far is Tirupunkur from Vaitheeswaran Koil?
About 3 km (Wikipedia says about three miles west), and about 15 km north of Mayiladuthurai.
Sources and attribution
- Wikipedia — Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur
- Wikipedia — Nandanar
- Dinamalar (temple guide) — Sri Shivaloka Nathar Temple, Tirupunkur
Further reading: Sivalokanathar Temple, Tirupunkur on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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