Ajit3011 at 11:01, 16 November 2025

2025-11-16T11:01:41Z

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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Koorainadu Punukeeswarar Temple
| native_name = கூறைநாடு புனுகீஸ்வரர் கோயில்
| image = Punukeeswarar temple1.jpg
| caption = ''Gopuram'' of the Punukeeswarar Temple
| deity = Punukeeswarar ([[Siva]])
| location = [[Koranad]], [[Mayiladuthurai]]
| district = [[Mayiladuthurai district | Mayiladuthurai]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| country = India
| map_type = Tamil Nadu
| coordinates = {{coord|11|05|43|N|79|38|37|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| architect = [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian]]
}}

'''Koorainadu Punukeeswarar Temple,''' or simply '''Punukeeswarar Temple''', is a Hindu temple located in [[Koranad|Koorainadu]] (also known as Koranad) in the town of [[Mayiladuthurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Punukeeswarar, a form of [[Shiva]].

== Location ==
The temple is located in Koranad, a residential neighbourhood in [[Mayiladuthurai]] on the Mayiladuthurai to Kumbakonam state highway, a couple of kilometers south of the [[Kaveri River|Cauvery River]]. It is about {{cvt|256|km}} southeast of [[Chennai]], the state capital. The nearest railway station is [[Mayiladuthurai Junction railway station|Mayiladuthurai railway junction]], {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the temple. The nearest bus terminal is [[Mayiladuthurai]], {{Convert|1.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the temple.

== Etymology ==
According to the historical legend, a [[civet]] (''punugu pūnai'' or civet cat) in the forest area of [[Koranad]] was searching for a goddess to worship and receive divine blessings. The civet looked for a Shiva [[Lingam]] in the surrounding area and found one in a paddy field. It applied ''punugu'' ([[civetone]]), an ancient fragrance, to the sacred Lingam and offered ''vilva'' ([[Aegle marmelos]]) leaves to Lord Shiva in worship, having brought the leaves reverently in its mouth. After many days of prayer, Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared before the civet, granted it divine status, and offered it a place in [[Mount Kailash]].<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Significance of Koranad Punukeeswarar Temple at Mayiladuthurai – Where Punugu Poonai Worshiped |url=https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/spiritual/significance-of-koranad-punukeeswarar-temple-at-mayiladuthurai-where-punugu-poonai-worshiped-amt-mkn-local18-ws-l-1930351-page-4.html |accessdate=2025-11-09 |website=News18 Tamil |publisher=News18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thirumoolar |first=Saravanan |date=2021-08-29 |title=புனுகீஸ்வரர் |url=https://tsaravanan.com/punukeeswarar/ |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=சரவணன் அன்பே சிவம் |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
Beyond the ''[[Gopuram|rajagopuram]]'' (main tower), the entrance leads into the front hall (''mukha mandapa''), where the temple flagstaff (''kodimaram'') is located. Following the flagstaff are the ''bali peetha'' (altar) and ''[[Nandi (Hinduism)|Nandi]]'' statue. On the right side of the temple premises is the shrine of the Goddess Amman.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Tamil |first1=Hindu |date=10 Jul 2025 |title=Short history of Koranad Punukeeswarar Temple (in Tamil) |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/anantha-jothi/1368855-short-history-of-koranad-punukeeswarar-temple-explained-in-tamil.html |accessdate=10 Jul 2025 |website=Hindu Tamil Thisai}}</ref>

Circumambulating the sanctum (garbhagriha), one can see the shrine of Chandikeswari. In front of the Amman shrine, there are also the bali peetha and Nandi. Near the Amman shrine are the decorative hall and resting chamber.<ref name=":0" />

Along the corridor around the sanctum, there are shrines dedicated to Varadha Vinayakar, Anjaneyar, Somaskanda, Ayyappan, Nesanayanar (one of the 63 Nayanmars), and Subramaniyar. In the outer circumambulatory path, there are shrines for Surya, Bhairavar, and Keelakkumaran Subramaniyar. Nearby is the Navagraha (nine planets) shrine, followed by the 63 Nayanmars.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Punukeeswarar temple, Mayavaram3.jpg|thumb|''Punugu pūnai'' worshipping Lord Shiva]]
On the koshta (outer wall of the sanctum), images of Brahma, Adimudi Kaana Annal (Lord Shiva as the Infinite), Dakshinamurthy, and Vinayaka are seen. The shrine of Chandikeswarar is situated nearby. In the outer prakaram, there are sculptures of Shaniswaran, Lingathirumeni (Shiva Lingam with altar and Nandi in front), and Vinayakar.<ref name=":0" />

As of June 2016, renovation works (''thiruppani'') were being carried out in the temple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=எஸ்.கதிரேசன் |date=2017-07-15 |title=கூறைநாடு புனுகீஸ்வரர் கோயில் கும்பாபிஷேகம்: வெகுவிமர்சையாக நாளை தொடங்குகிறது! |url=https://www.vikatan.com/spiritual/temples/95660-koorainadu-punugiswarar-temple-pooja-will-happen-tomorrow |access-date=2017-07-15 |website= |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=விஜயன் |first=கடம்பூர் |date=2017-09-09 |title=பாவச் சுமைகளை நீக்கும் மயிலாடுதுறை திருக்கோயில்கள் (பகுதி 1) |url=https://www.dinamani.com/religion/2017/Sep/09/%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF-1-2770210.html |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}}</ref>

== Deity ==
The presiding deity of the temple is Punukeeswarar, and the goddess is Santhanayaki.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=விஜயன் |first=கடம்பூர் |date=2017-09-09 |title=பாவச் சுமைகளை நீக்கும் மயிலாடுதுறை திருக்கோயில்கள் (பகுதி 1) |url=https://www.dinamani.com/religion/2017/Sep/09/%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF-1-2770210.html |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}}</ref>

== Mayiladuthurai Saptha stana temples ==
This temple is one of the seven Shiva temples that take part in the Sapthasthanam festival, which is celebrated at the Ayyarappar Temple under the administration of the [[Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam]] located in [[Mayiladuthurai district]].<ref name=":1" />

# [[Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai|Mayuranathaswami temple]] – Mayiladuthurai.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ayyar |first=P. V. Jagadisa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&dq=MAYURANATHAR+TEMPLE&pg=PA271 |title=South Indian Shrines: Illustrated |date=1982 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0151-2 |language=en}}</ref>
# Margasahayeswarar temple (Vazhikaatum Vallalar) – Moovalur.<ref>{{Citation |title=மூவலூர் மார்க்கசகாயேஸ்வரர் கோயில் |date=2021-08-12 |work=தமிழ் விக்கிப்பீடியா |url=https://ta.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D&oldid=3225554 |access-date=2025-11-09 |language=ta}}</ref>
# Aiyaarappar temple - Koranad, Mayiladuthurai.<ref>{{Citation |title=மயிலாடுதுறை ஐயாறப்பர் கோயில் |date=2020-04-06 |work=தமிழ் விக்கிப்பீடியா |url=https://ta.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%88_%E0%AE%90%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D&oldid=2946375 |access-date=2025-11-09 |language=ta}}</ref>
# Kasi Vishwanathar temple - Lagadam, Mayiladuthurai.<ref>{{Citation |title=துலாக்கட்டம் காசிவிசுவநாதர் கோயில் |date=2023-06-07 |work=தமிழ் விக்கிப்பீடியா |url=https://ta.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D&oldid=3732594 |access-date=2025-11-09 |language=ta}}</ref>
# Brahmapureeswarar temple - Sitharkadu, Mayiladuthurai.<ref>{{Citation |title=சித்தர்காடு பிரம்மபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில் |date=2020-04-06 |work=தமிழ் விக்கிப்பீடியா |url=https://ta.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81_%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D&oldid=2946355 |access-date=2025-11-09 |language=ta}}</ref>
# Azhagiyanathar temple - Sholampettai, Mayiladuthurai.

The presiding deities of these seven temples come together at the [[Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai|Mayuranathar Temple]] during the Sapthasthanam festival, which is held annually in Mayiladuthurai.

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery|mode=packed|align=left|title=Punukeeswarar temple, Mayavaram6
|File:Punukeeswarar temple4.jpg|Main entrance after gopuram
|File:Punukeeswarar temple, Mayavaram6.jpg|Nesanayanar (one of the 63 Nayanmars)
|File:Punukeeswarar temple, Mayavaram1.jpg|Pilliyar
|File:Punukeeswarar temple, Mayavaram2.jpg|Ambal
|File:Punukeeswarar temple, Mayavaram4.jpg|Ambal
}}
{{-}}

== See also ==

* [[Mayiladuthurai]]
* [[Saptha Stana Temples]]
* [[Koranad]]

== References ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book |last=S. R. |first=Balasubrahmanyam |url=https://ignca.gov.in/Asi_data/66858.pdf |title=Later Chola Temples |date=23 Apr 1978 |publisher=MUDGALA TRUST |edition=1st |publication-date=23 Apr 1978 |pages=336 |language=English |trans-title=PANCHANADISVARAR TEMPLE}}{{refend}}

== External links ==

{{Mayiladuthurai Topics}}
{{Famous Shiva temples}}
{{HinduMythology}}
{{Mayiladuthurai district}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in Mayiladuthurai district]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Mayiladuthurai]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Mayiladuthurai district]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Dravidian architecture]]

Koorainadu Punukeeswarar Temple - Revision history

Ajit3011 at 11:01, 16 November 2025