Sri Sivalokanathar Temple, Thirupungur

Sri Sivalokanathar Temple, Thirupungur is a small village about 2 kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil.

This place was once surrounded by Pungu trees and hence the name Thirupungur.

The Shiva lingam is one of the 64 Swayambhu (Self manifested) lingams and is supposed to have come from an anthill. The Nandi here is also a Swayambhu. The presiding deity at this temple is Shivalokanathar and His consort is Soundaryanayaki. Vinayakar is supposed to have dug a tank here for nandanar on Lord Shiva’s orders and is known as Kulam Vettiya Vinayakar.

Nandanar was a devout Shiva Bhaktha. He was born into a low caste family and as a result was denied entry into any temples. His ambition was to visit the temple at Chidambaram. His daily work always put off Nandanar’s ambition to visit Chidambaram. Nandanar used to tell everyone that he will visit “Chidambaram tomorrow” (Thiru Nalai Poven). He was telling this over a period of time to everyone and he came to be known as “Thiru nalai Povar”. However, one fine day, Nandanar was asked to achieve the impossible task of tilling all the forty acres of the paddy field overnight by the land lord.. A disappointed Nandanar prayed to Shiva to grant him the wish of visitng Chidambaram. The next morning, the Landlord and Nandanar were both astonished to see that all the forty acres of the field had been ploughed. The landlord immediately realised his folly and prostrated before Nandanar and pleaded forgiveness. Nandanar set out to Chidambaram and on the way he stopped at Thirupungur to have a darshan of the Lord. Nandanar was not able to have the darshan as Nandi was blocking his view. He started singing in praise of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva wanted to know who the devotee was. The dwarapalakas informed Him that it was Nandanar. Immediately, Lord asked Nandi to move to a side to facilitate Him to have a clear view of Nandanar.

You can see the Nandi at this temple is shifted to a side. Also the Nandi is not hanging out the tongue as is usually the case. You can also see the dwarapalaks craning their necks as if to see in the direction of the entrance.

During Raja Raja Cholan reign there was severe drought that resulted in famine and the king prayed to Lord Shiva to bring rain. Lord Shiva came in his dream and asked him to do special poojas for Sivaloganathar. Sundarar was present at the temple when the King came to offer his prayers. The King requested Sundarar to sing in praise of the Lord and bring rain. Sundarar agreed on the condition that the King would donate twelve velis (measures) of land to the temple. Sundarar sang in praise of the God and there was a heavy downpour threatening to cause heavy damage to the country. The King requested Sundarar to stop the rain. Sundarar again laid the same condition. The king gifted the land and immediately it stopped raining.