Papanasanathar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Vagaikulam in Thoothukudi district, about 100 km away.

• By train

  The nearest railway station is Ambasamudram.

• By road

  Plenty of bus services run from Tirunelveli to Papanasam, about 60 km away.

Why devotees come here

Papanasanathar Temple in Papanasam, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Shiva, who is worshipped here as Papanasanathar. It stands on the bank of the Thamirabarani river, about 60 km from Tirunelveli. The temple is built in Dravidian style, with a granite wall and a seven-tiered gateway tower.

Shiva's consort Parvathi is worshipped here as Ulagammai. Legend says sage Urosamar floated a set of flowers on the Tamiraparani river. The first flower reached the shore at this place. The sage then founded a temple here and worshipped the deity. Papanasam lies in Ambasamudram taluk of Tirunelveli district, on the same river bank.

Another legend says Indra's sin was expiated here, and the place came to be called Papanasam, after the word for sin. The nearby falls also take their name from the sage Agasthiyar. Legend also says sage Agasthiyar could not see Shiva's wedding, so he prayed here. Shiva then made this place his home.

The temple was first built by Chandrakula Pandya. Vijayanagar and Nayak kings added to it during the 16th century. It follows Dravidian architecture and has three precincts, enclosed by a granite wall, with a seven-tiered gateway tower in that wall.

Festivals

• Chittirai, April to May; Thai, January to FebruaryBrahmotsavam and Thaipoosam

  The two most prominent festivals of the temple, celebrated in those Tamil months.

• Once every 144 yearsMaha Pushkaram

  A holy bath in the Tamiraparani river, opposite the Sivan Temple. The Tamil Nadu governor inaugurated it on 10 October 2018 by taking a holy dip in the river.

Tips for your visit

• Agasthiyar Falls is close to the temple, so visitors can see the falls on the same trip.
• Plan the visit around Brahmotsavam or Thaipoosam if you want to see the temple's two main festivals.

Questions people ask