Padikasu Nathar , Soundaranayagi
Padikasu Nathar Temple (also called Swarnapureeswarar Temple) is a Hindu temple located at Azhagaputhur, a village in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Padikasunathar, and is represented by the lingam.
His consort Parvati is depicted as Soundaranayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
The 8th century Saiva saint poet Sundarar has sung praise about the temple in his works.
The temple is associated with Pugalthunai Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, whose birth place was Alagaputhur. There are various inscriptions associated with the temple indicating contributions from Cholas.
The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16th century.
The temple is built in Dravidian architecture with a three-storied gopuram, the gateway tower. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Padikasunathar and Soundaranayagi being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls and two precincts. The temple has four daily rituals at various times from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and two yearly festivals on its calendar.
Vimana of the presiding deity
Praises of the temple have been sung in the Thevaram. Alagaputhur is the birthplace of Pugalthunai Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.
As per legend, Pugazh Thunai was a poor farmer, but a staunch devotee of Shiva, used to bring pots of water for the ablution of the presiding deity of the temple.
During a year, there was heavy famine in the region and people were suffering. Pugazh Thunai still continued his service of offering water. On account of his old age and senility, he feel sick and fell over the image of the presiding deity.
He prayed to Shiva to relieve the people off the suffering. Shiva was pleased by his devotion and started offering a coin (called padikasu in Tamil) daily on account of which both the saint and the region were relieved. He continued his service and Shiva considered him one among the 63 nayanmars on account of his unflinching devotion.