The Saptha Sthana Sthalams[Temples] around Thiruvaiyaru[Thirupanturuthi]-Thanjavur

Thirupunturuthi temple

The Thirupunturuthi temple is one among a group of seven, collectively known as the Saptha Sthaanam temples. These temples are unique, for they are related to the marriage of Shiva’s foremost attendant, Nandi, and the part that Shiva played in this marriage.

Nandi was born to Siladha Maharshi and performed great penance to his favored deity, Siva. Siva was so pleased with his worship, he not only made Nandi his prime attendant, He also got him married. The marriage itself took place at Thirumazhapadi near Thiruvaiyaru, and Shiva took his devotee around these seven temples as part of the Sapthapadi. Every year, this occasion is celebrated in April/May with the idol of the Lord starting out in a beautifully decorated glass-encrusted palanquin from Thiruvaiyaru, and taking a round of these seven villages. At each village he is received at one boundary by the Lord of that village and accompanied by him to the next village, where he is received by the next one. In such a way, he completes a full circle and returns to Thiruvaiyaru. 

All these temples are situated around Thiruvaiyaru and it is possible to visit all these temples within 4 hours.

The Seven Temples are:

Sl.No.	Temple name	Place	District
1	Aiyarappar temple	Thiruvaiyaru	Thanjavur
2	Apathsahayar Temple	Tirupazhanam	Thanjavur
3	Odhanavaneswarar Temple	Tiruchotruthurai	Thanjavur
4	Vedapuriswarar Temple	Thiruvedhikudi	Thanjavur
5	Brahmasirakandeeswarar Temple	Thirukkandiyur	Thanjavur
6	Pushpavananathar Temple	Thirupunturuthi	Thanjvaur
7	Neyyadiappar Temple	Thiruneithaanam	Thanjavur

The Pushpavananathar Temple is one of the Saptha sthana Sthalam and is Sixth in order.

Period of origin

Before 6 th century. Appar had sung in Dhevaram.

Name of deity

Moolavar: Puspavananathar

Ambal: Sowndaryanayaki

Sthala Theertham: Kudamuruti 

Stalavriksham: Vilvam

Sthalapuranam: 

This is the place where Lord Shiva collected Flowers for Nandhi's Marriage.

A Chola king had offered Thuruthi flowers to Lord Shiva here, hence this place is called as Poonthuruthi [Poo = Flower Thuruthi: name of the flower] Later, it came be called as Thirupunthuruthi.

Appar Peruman had made a lot of voluntary services to this temple. He trimmed the grass and removed garbages on his own. Here he got the inspiration of visiting Kailash.

This is the place where Thirunavukarasar was called as Appar by Thirugnanasambanthar.

The deities at Tirupunthuruthi are Pushpavaneswarar and Soundaryanayaki. The temple has a number of Nandis, staring from the outer pragaram to the sanctum, and all them, are slightly displaced from the centre. It is believed that they moved so that Shiva could see the approach of Sambandhar, one of the saivite saints.

Nandi

When Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple he was afraid to place his foot inside as Appar Peruman had done sanitation with his hand. Hence he stood outside the premises and worshiped Lord Shiva. The Lord himself ordered Nandi to stay apart to show darshan to Thirugnanasambanthar.

It is said to be that Goddess Durga stood in one leg and made tapas towards Lord Shiva for relieving the sin against Mahishasuran Samhar.

Indira, Vishnu, Mahalakshmi, Suriyan had worshiped here.

Here Kasyaba rishi brought Ganga water with his tapas and made Abishakam to lord Shiva.

It is Poonthuruthi Kadava Nambi's birth place. Another interesting thing about this place is that there are seven gopurams in all, and all of them can be seen from one particular point on the outer pragaram.

Gopuram of the Temple

This temple has five stages Rajagopuram, five praharams, Panjamoorthy mandapam, Nandhi, Kodimaram, Vasantha Mandapam, Balipedam and a separate shrine for Ambal.

Koshtamoortham Vinayagar, Murugan, Mahalakshmi ,Veena Dhakshinamoorthy, Durga and chandikeswarar are seen.

Nearby the sanctum somaskanthar mandapam, Natarajar sabai and iinside the premises Appar's work, Vinayagar, Nalvar, Sapthamatharkal Paintings are seen. 

Temple Timings:

7 am to 12 pm and 4.30 pm to 8 pm

Temple Telephone Number:

Archakar : +91 9791480824

Temple Address:

Arulmigu Pushpavaneswarar Alayam
Thirupunthurithi [P.O]
Kandiyur [via]
Thiruvaiyaru [Taluk]
Thanjavur [Dist]
TamilNadu
India.