Papanasanathar Temple

Papanasanathar Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictTirunelveli
DeityPapanasanathar(Shiva), Ulagammai (Parvathi)
Location
LocationPapanasam, Tirunelveli
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Papanasanathar Temple is located in Tamil Nadu
Papanasanathar Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates8°42′48″N 77°24′21″E / 8.71333°N 77.40583°E / 8.71333; 77.40583
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture

Papanasanathar Temple in Papanasam, a village in Tirunelveli district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. It is located 60 km from Tirunelveli. Constructed in the Dravidian architecture, the temple has three precincts. Shiva is worshipped as Papanasanathar and his consort Parvathi as Ulagammai.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a seven-tiered gateway tower. The temple was originally built by Chandrakula Pandya, with further additions by the Vijayanagar and Nayak kings during the 16th century. The temple has artistic sculptures representative of Nayak art.

The temple is open from 5.30 am - 12 pm and 4.30-7:30 pm on all days except during festival days when it is open the full day. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Brahmotsavam festival during the Tamil months of Chittirai (April - May) and Thaipoosam during Thai (January - February) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.