Innambur Ezhutharinathar Temple – The Divine Scribe of Kumbakonam

Location

Village: Innambur
Taluk: Kumbakonam
District: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Access: Located on the northern bank of the River Kaveri, easily reachable from Kumbakonam (~8 km)

Deities and Subshrines

Main Deity: Lord Shiva as Ezhutharinathar (also called Ezhuthari Natheswarar), symbolizing the divine scribe and cosmic accountant
Consort: Goddess Parvati as Nithya Kalyani or Sugantha Kundalambigai, representing eternal auspiciousness
Subshrines include:

Temple Significance

Paadal Petra Sthalam: One of the 276 sacred Shiva temples praised in the Thevaram hymns by Tamil Saiva saints (Nayanmars), especially Appar and Sundarar
Spiritual Theme: The temple is associated with divine intervention in record-keeping. A legend tells of Lord Shiva appearing as a scribe to complete temple accounts overnight, earning the name Ezhutharinathar—“He who writes”
Symbolism: The temple emphasizes the sanctity of truth, accountability, and divine support in righteous duties
Architectural Style: Dravidian architecture with a prominent gopuram, pillared halls, and a serene temple tank

History

The temple dates back to the Chola period, with inscriptions and structural elements indicating patronage from Chola kings and later Nayak rulers.
It is one of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams, sanctified by the hymns of Appar and Sundarar, Tamil Saiva saints of the 7th century.
The temple’s historical name is Innambur, and it has long been a center of Shaiva worship and temple administration.

Legends

A famous legend tells of a royal accountant who struggled to complete temple ledgers. Fearing punishment, he prayed to Lord Shiva.
That night, Shiva appeared as a scribe and completed the records flawlessly. The king was astonished, and the deity was henceforth called Ezhutharinathar—“He who writes.”
This story symbolizes divine intervention in righteous duties and the sanctity of truth and accountability.
The temple is also associated with Iravadha Theertham, a sacred tank believed to have been created by Indra’s elephant.

Architecture

The temple follows Dravidian architectural style, with a prominent gopuram, pillared mandapams, and a serene temple tank.
The main sanctum (garbhagriha) houses Lord Shiva as Ezhutharinathar in lingam form, facing east.
The goddess Nithya Kalyani (Sugantha Kundalambigai) has a separate shrine, reflecting divine feminine grace.
The temple features a Shenbagam tree as its sacred sthala virutcham and includes shrines for Vinayaka, Murugan, Navagrahas, Dakshinamurthy, and Chandikeswara.
The layout and stone carvings reflect the elegance and symmetry typical of Chola-era temples.

Daily Rituals

Three daily pujas are performed following Shaiva Agama traditions, including:

Rituals include abhishekam (sacred bath), alankaram (decoration), naivedyam (food offerings), and deepa aradhana (lamp worship) to both Lord Ezhutharinathar and Goddess Nithya Kalyani
Mondays and Pradosham days are considered especially auspicious for Shiva worship

Major Festivals Celebrated

1. Navratri (Purattasi – Sep–Oct):

o Celebrated for 10 days with special pujas, Vedic homams, and daily abhishekams using milk, honey, and sandal paste

o Devotees seek blessings from Goddess Nithya Kalyani for marital harmony and spiritual upliftment

2. Maha Shivaratri (Maasi – Feb–Mar):

o Night-long vigil with four kala pujas, chanting of Shiva mantras, and lamp offerings

o Devotees fast and offer prayers for liberation and divine grace

3. Thiruvadhirai (Margazhi – Dec–Jan):

o Celebrates Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance (Ananda Tandavam)

o Includes special abhishekam and Arudra Darshan

4. Panguni Uthiram (Mar–Apr):

o Marks the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati

o Kalyana Utsavam is performed with community participation

5. Aadi Pooram (Jul–Aug):

o Celebrates the divine feminine energy of Goddess Nithya Kalyani

o Includes special Devi pujas and processions

Beliefs and Spiritual Significance

Lord Ezhutharinathar is worshipped as the divine scribe, who once completed temple accounts overnight to save a devotee, symbolizing divine support in righteous duties
The temple is believed to bless devotees with clarity, learning, and accountability, making it popular among students, scholars, and professionals
Goddess Nithya Kalyani is believed to grant marital harmony, fertility, and auspiciousness
The temple’s sacred tank, Iravadha Theertham, is believed to have been created by Indra’s elephant and is considered spiritually purifying

Temple Hours

Getting Here

Tips

Best Time to Visit: November to February for pleasant weather and festival season
Combine Visits: Ideal to pair with nearby Paadal Petra Sthalams like Thiruppurambiyam, Swamimalai, and Thirunageswaram
Local Transport: Auto-rickshaws and taxis available from Kumbakonam
Stay Options: Budget and mid-range hotels in Kumbakonam; book early during festivals
Photography: Allowed in outer precincts; avoid flash near sanctum
Spiritual Tip: Reciting Thevaram hymns during darshan enhances the experience, as this is a revered site in Tamil Saiva tradition