பசுபதீசுவரர் திருக்கோயிலும் அப்பர் மடமும் திருவாமூர்
Just outside of Panruti in Tamil Nadu and a short distance of 15 minutes from Thiruvathigai, is a small nondescript village set in the middle of green beautiful fields on the northern banks of the Kedilam River called Thiruvamur. Appar or Thirunavukkarasar was born here and the family lived in this village during his childhood.
This is a Thevara Vaipusthalam - தேவார வைப்புத்தலம். There are 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams which have dedicated Thevara Pathikams (a set of 10 verses) sung in praise of Lord Siva in the temple. There are another 250 or so temples that are mentioned in passing in the Thevaram and are called Thevara Vaipusthalams. This is one such site.
The temple here is quite small. The site is very ancient. Most of the original construction is gone. The granite walls of the sanctum of Siva is of Chola construction and has endured. Kulothungan III did a lot renovations here. Most of the other structures including the exterior of the Amman shrine is of cement or concrete and seem to have been reconstructed in modern times. The vimanams are of Nayakkan style and are made of stucco. The small rajagopuram is also of a later age.
The temple is under the control of the HR and CE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments) Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu and is not looked after well. There is a single Archakar who does a single pooja for the day. We had to call ahead so that he opened the temple for us and did a pooja.
About 200 meters from this temple is another structure built over the site where Thirunavukkarasar’s home stood. It is a modern structure and is used as a mutt or Madam - மடம். It commemorates the place where he was born. It can be maintained better. The Kalar Uhai Tree - களர் உகாய் or Toothbrush Tree here is supposed to be 1400 years old and is thought to be very special.
It is located about 55 km southwest of Pondicherry and about a 90 minute drive. We visited in May 2023. We were based in Pondicherry.
Credits: Google Maps.
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