page_title: Bhaktajaneswarar temple
section_title: Legend and history
hierarchical_section_title: Bhaktajaneswarar temple / Legend and history
caption_attribution_description: English: Thirunavalur temple
context_page_description: Bhaktajaneswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Poondi, a village in Viluppuram district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Bhaktajaneswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Manonmani Amman. The temple is located on the Panruti - Kedilam road. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is closely associated with Sundarar, who is believed to have attained grace at this place.
  The temple complex covers an area of two acres and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Bhaktajaneswarar, his consort Manonmani Amman and Ranganathar being the most prominent.
  The temple has three daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and many yearly festivals on its calendar. Sundarar Janana festival during the Tamil month of Aavani and Sundarar Guru Poojai during the month of Aadi are the most prominent festivals celebrated in the temple.
context_section_description: As per Hindu legend, during the churning of the Ocean of milk, a sperm fell at this place to originate as a "Naval" tree. It came to be known as Jambuvanam and over the period of several eons, a temple formed in the place. The place thus came to be known as Navalur while presiding deity came to be known as Thirunavleesan.
  As per another legend, Sukra (Venus) obtained the diving elixir that could bring back dead people. During the fight between Devas, the celestial deities and Asuras, the demons, Sukra helped the Asuras by bringing them back to life repeatedly. The Devas complained it to Shiva, who swallowed Sukra. He then brought him back to life and installed him as one of the Navagrahas, the planetary deities. He also instructed him to help devotees based on the deeds. Sundarar, an 8th-century saivite saint was born in the place and believed to have attained divinity by worshipping Shiva at the place.
  The place is also believed to be the one where Adisesha got back his original colour attained on account of the poison. Brahma is believed to have worshipped the deity during Dvapara Yuga, while Sivapriyar, who went on to become Chandekeswarar worshipped the deity during Treta Yuga.
caption: The main shrines of the temple
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