195. MANAM THAVIZHNDHA PUTHUR

SOKKANANDHAR TEMPLE

Distance: 10kms from Panrutti and 22kms from Villupuram

Shiva: Sokkanadhar

Amman: Meenakshi

Speciality:

The temple is situated in about 1 acre area of Land.

The temple had 9 storeyed Gopura.

In early days the Kala Bhairavar, Sooriyan and Chandran were constructed in a form that they faced one another. But now they are in a straight line.

This temple was worshipped by Agasthya.

We can find the idols of Sundharar and an Old Man (Shiva) in this temple.

To get a happy wedded life Soma Pooja is performed in this temple. Soma Pooja means performing Thirukalyanam for Shiva and Amman. Participating in this Pooja gives happiness, health and wealth. These details are said by the priest of this temple.

There is a special Aavudaiyar Sannidhi in this temple.

The name of this place was earlier known as Puthur. Since Shiva stopped the marriage of Sundharar here the place came to be known as Manam Thavirtha Puthur. Later it was called as Manaputhur and now Manam Thavizhndha Puthur.

History:

The original name of Sundharar was Nambi Aarooran. He was born in Thirunavalur. The king Narasinga Munaiyarayar named him Sundharar as he looked very beautiful in his early days. After getting the permission of his parents, Sadayanar and Isaignaniyar, the King arranged a wedding of Sundharar when Sundharar was 16 years old. The name of the Girl was Kamala Gnana Poongothai, the daughter of Sadangu Kavi who was a Sivachariyar in Puthur. On the day of the wedding Sundharar came in a Chariot surrounded by horses, elephants, huge number of people in a wedding attire. The wedding was arranged in such a grand manner like a wedding of a prince. Just before the time of marriage an old man came running and stopped the wedding. He was holding a parchment in his hands with stated that Sundharar and his ancestors were the slaves of the old man and marrying without his permission was a crime. The old man said that one of the ancestor of Sundharar wrote this parchment and legally gave it to him. Sundharar was not able to accept this and threw the Parchment into the fire. The oldman grew angry. Both of them started quarreling with one another. The old man told everyone that he could not obtain justice here therefore he asked everyone to come to a place called Thiruvennainallur and argue there in front of the great men of that village. He added that he would prove his statement. Sundharar agreed to this deal. The old man said that the Vinayaka of this temple was the witness. The Vinayaka turned south facing the direction of Thiruvennainallur. Everyone went to Thiruvennainallur. The justice went in the favour of the old man. Everyone returned to Puthur. The girl asked about her plight to the old man. The oldman smiled. The papers which were burnt in the fire joined together to form a Linga named Satcheeswarar and the old man transformed into Lord Shiva and everyone had this Dharshan and he gave Mukthi to Gnana Poongodhai. She transformed into 2 forms namely Kamalini and Anindhai in Kailash. Then they were born as Sangili Nachiyar and Paravai Nachiyar and married Sundharar in the grace of Lord Shiva.