அருள்மிகு பாபநாசநாதர் திருக்கோயில், பாபநாசம்Papanasanathar Temple, Papanasam

Sthala Mahātmyam

Papanasanathar Temple stands beside the Tamiraparani where the river descends through the Papanasam falls of the Pothigai hills. Its name derives from 'papa-nasam', the destruction of sin: tradition holds that Indra, and later other beings, were freed of their sins by bathing here and worshipping Shiva. As the first of the Nava Kailasam, the shrine is linked to Surya, the Sun, and devotees seek the removal of accumulated karma. The temple recalls the great gathering at Kailasa for Shiva's wedding, when the Earth tilted; Shiva sent sage Agastya south to Pothigai to restore balance, and Agastya's worship sanctified this spot. A parallel legend credits the sage Uromasa (Romasa), who floated nine flowers down the Tamiraparani and raised a Kailasanathar lingam wherever each came to rest. The presiding Shiva is Papanasanathar with his consort Ulagammai. Chief observances include the Chittirai Brahmotsavam, Thaipoosam, Maha Sivaratri and the celebrated Agastya Thirukalyanam, drawing pilgrims who begin the nine-temple Tamiraparani yatra here.