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Celebrated Saivite Saints had praised the Lord of this temple in their devotional hymns. This is 66th Lord Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

The tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of a three tier design. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Swarna Vinayaka blessing from a separate shrine. According to tradition in the temple, people worship this Vinayaka first before going to Lord Shiva. Pugazh Thunai Nayanar appears in the front mandap with his wife Lakshmi. Saint Sundarar with his spouse Paravai Nachiar is nearby. There are two Bhairavas in the temple. Swamimalai is 10 km from this place.

In order to end the increasing atrocities of the demons, Lord Shiva planned to send Lord Muruga to destroy them. When Muruga began the march, Lord Shiva and Devas offered many powerful weapons to Him. Lord Vishnu gave His discus and conch. With all these weapons, Muruga destroyed the demons. Muruga appears here with all the weapons in hand. Discus and Conch are the main the weapons He holds. Sitting on the Indira Peacock with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, He is praised as Kalyana Sundara Shanmuga Nathar. The Tiruvatchi ? a metal frame made aesthetically around the deity ? is of OHM letter shape.

Shrine of Mother Mahalakshmi is nearby. It is rare that Mother Mahalakshmi and Muruga are next to each other in a Shiva Temple.

Shiva devotee Pugazh Thunai Nayanar, a native of the place used to carry water for the abishek of Lord Shiva. Though very poor, he was determined to continue his puja to Lord. The place came under drought and a severe famine gripped the place. The devotee was not disheartened and continued his service to Lord. Due to starvation and age, he was too weak and tired to carry the abishek water and fell fainted on the Shivalinga with the abishek water one day. Lord appeared in his dream and asked what he wished. Nayanar begged the Lord to help him continue his Shiva puja and protect the people from famine. Lord promised to give him one coin every day to help the people and continue the puja.

With the assistance of Lord, Pugazhthunai Nayanar continued his pujas. After long years of services to Lord and the people, he attained salvation in this place. Lord made him one among the celebrated Nayanars.

The temple is situated on the southern side of River Arasalaru. As a rule, Sun and Moon in the Navagraha shrine are seen facing east. In this temple, they are face to face. There are nine small pits opposite the shrine. It is believed that planets are in the form of Vayu in these pits. Those unable or failing to do the rituals regularly to their ancestors, perform pujas to Sun and Moon in this Navagraha shrine and light lamps in the pits.

The heirs of Pugazh Thunai Nayanar are the priests of this temple generation after generation. Devotees place two coins at the feet of Lord Padikasu Nathar and take one back with them.

During His visit to Mount Kailash, Lord Brahmma bypassed Lord Muruga and proceeded. Muruga intercepted Him and asked who He was. Brahmma introduced Himself to Muruga and said proudly that He was the creator of the world. Muruga asked him under what Mantra power He was doing it, Brahmma replied OHM. Lord Muruga demanded the meaning and explanation of the Mantra which Brahmma could not. Lord Muruga hit Brahmma on the head and terminated His job.

Coming to know of the incident, Lord Shiva asked Muruga to return the job to Brahmma which Muruga respectfully declined. Lord Shiva demanded the meaning and explanation from Muruga which He offered perfectly. Then at the direction of Lord Shiva, Muruga returned Brahmma His post. Though He was right, Lord Muruga regretted that He punished an elder and to make amends, he performed penance in this place. Lord Shiva appeared before Muruga and said that it was right to question anyone when he/she commits a mistake but wrong to punish them.

Moolavar: Padikasu Nathar(Sornapureeswarar)

Urchavar: Somaskandar

Amman / Thayar: Azhagammai

Thala Virutcham: Vilwa

Theertham: Amirtha Pushkarini

Agamam / Pooja: Shivagama

Pathigam: Sambandar, Sundarar, Thirunavukarasar

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name: Arisilkaraipudur

Arisilkaraipudur is Known as Alagarputhur at present. It is about 7 Kms from Kumbakonam on the way to Natchiar Koyil. The temple is very near from the main road at Alagarputhur bus stop.

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. As Lord Vishnu graces the devotees with Discus and conch in temples, here Lord Muruga blesses the devotees with discus and conch. This is the birth place of Pugazh Thunai Nayanar, one among the celebrated 63 Nayanmars.

Masi Magam and Maha Shivrathri in (February-March);

Nayanmar Guru Puja on Kruthika and Aslesha Aayilam in Tamil star days are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Devotees praying here will have the courage to fight injustice and a sense of tolerance to bear hardships.

Those facing problems in their wedding proposals and concerned about the safety and welfare of their children pray to Lord Muruga on New Moon day offering pujas and milk porridge Paal Payasam in Tamil for relief.

The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Sri Padikasu Nathar Temple, Azhagaputhur ? 612 401, Thiru Arisil Karai Puthur, Thanjavur district. Contact Number - +91 435 246 6939, +91 99431 78294.

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.