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Ponvaithanathar Temple is a Hindu temple located in Thiruvarur has a mythlogical story.In the Chetti Street of this place lived a person, Sankaran, a great devotee of Lord Siva.  His wife was Anbirperiyaal.  A few days after the marriage, her husband went to the neighbouring country on business.  During those days with her husband, she had become pregnant. Everyday this lady used to sweep and mop the floor of the temple, and keep it clean. 

She also prepared garlands for the deity.  The happy Lord satisfied with her service, put a gold coin every day on the doorsteps of the temple, for her expenses.  Hence, this Lord came to be known as 'Ponvaithanaathar'.  After a few months, people came to know about her pregnancy. 

None knew about the Lord giving her gold coin. Her husband was out of station.  Then, how did she have money for her expenses? How did she become pregnant ?  people began doubting her.  So, they ostracized her.  This chaste, bold woman surrendered herself to the Lord and stayed in the temple itself.  The confinement date was nearing. 

She had none to help her.  She prayed to the Lord to save her.  The Great Mother, Goddess Akilandeswari, the Mother of all created beings, conducted the delivery for this abandoned woman.  The baby was born; her husband who went on business also returned.  The citizens of the place told him that they doubted his wife's character. 

Pained by these words, he enquired his wife about this charge.  But, she categorically replied that the Lord was the witness for her purity.  Her husband put strange conditions to her:  "If you are a sincere person, the closed doors of the temple should open on its accord. 

The Arthajaama pooja (the midnight pooja) should happen on its own arrangement.  The sacrificial peetam behind the Nandi image should be placed before the Nandi statue.  The sacred tree behind the temple should grow in front of the temple. The shocked woman deeply prayed to the Lord, who wholeheartedly accepted her prayers. 

Accordingly, in the presence of the people the closed temple doors opened, the sacrificial peetam moved before the Nandi, the sacred tree also grew before the temple and the midnight pooja happened without the priest.  The surprised citizens  understood  that these miracles were performed by the Lord Himself and so blessed the woman.  Even today we can see the Nandi statue outside the temple and the altar before the Nandi.

Temple Timings:


The temple is open from 8.00 am to 12 noon and from 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm.

Temple Festivals:

Vaikaasi visaakam is the important festival. All festivals related to Lord Siva are conducted in a grand manner.
The Lord of this place appears as a swayambu murthi. Long ago, sage Brahma rishi was dutifully performing the 'arthajaama pooja' (midnight worship). Once, the doors of the temple were closed before he arrived. Hence, he took the form of a bee, went through a small hole and worshipped the Lord.

The other rishis also likewise worshipped the Lord. Even today, we can see the beehives in the ardha mantapam of the temple. Poojas are performed every day for these beehives.

Those who pray here for normal delivery are sure to be blessed.  It is said that as per the request of the chettiar girl and because of the grace of Ambal, women in this area and those who pray have only normal delivery. 

This is the holy place where the Lord blessed the chettiar girl with gold coins to wipe out her poverty and so the belief is, if Lord Ponvaithanaathar is worshipped a person becomes rich.

Sage Agasthiyar, Lord Indra, Nagaraja and Lord Brahma have worshipped the deity of this place.  Lord Vinayakar of this place graces us in the name 'Aathimara Vinayakar'.

Do's:

Do pray Your Ishta Devata before Pilgrimage to temple
Do Contact Temple Devasthanam information center for inquiry ,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 your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any Purpose other than worshiping 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 Dharshanam. 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