Country India Architectural styles Dravidian architecture Architectural style Dravidian architecture | State/province Tamil Nadu District Thiruvarur Locale Tiruvarur district | |
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Primary deity Soundareswararswamy Swamy(Shiva) Similar Engan Murugan Temple, Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary, Saranathan temple, Thyagaraja Temple - Tiruvarur | ||
The Soundareswararswamy Temple or Sountharyanathar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. It is situated in the village of Thiruppanaiyur, three and a half kilometres from Nannilam. The temple is centred on a palmyra tree which is the sthalavriksha. The palmyra tree gives its name to the village itself ("Thiru" (holy) + "Panai" (palm) + "Ur" (city) or the "city of the holy palm")
The temple is popular due to its association with the Early Chola king Karikala. It is believed that Karikala was standing under the palmyra tree when the royal elephant of the Cholas identified him as the king. Karikala was then taken to the capital on elephant back to be crowned Emperor.
References
Soundareswararswamy Temple, Thiruppanaiyur Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA