01Rajendra’s temple
Panai is the palmyra, and puravu the dove; the Devi’s Tamil name, Puravammai, keeps the dove. The Lord is also Netroddharaka Swami, the Lord who restores sight. The present temple was raised under Rajendra Chola I early in the 11th century on a site already holy, and the village was then called Paravaipuram; inscriptions of Rajendra I, Rajendra II, Adhirajendra and Kulothunga I are on its walls. Sambandar sang one padigam on Puravar Panangattur. When National Highway 45 was to be widened, the highways authority changed its plan so that the temple would not be touched.
Visiting
Right beside the Chennai–Villupuram highway (NH 45) at Panaiyapuram near Vikravandi, about 10 km north of Villupuram.
