title: Tirulokanathar Temple, Thakkalur
text: # Tirulokanathar Temple, Thakkalur
  
  Tirulokanathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at Thakkalur in Puducherry, India.
  
  ## Vaippu Sthalam
  
  This temple is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams, built by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Appar and Sundarar.
  
  ## Presiding deity
  
  The presiding deity in the garbhagriha, represented by the lingam, is known as Tirulokanathar. The Goddess is known as Dharmasamvardhini. Earlier they were called Svetharanyar and Anandavalli.
  
  ## Specialities
  
  Lord Shiva can be found in many places. Among them are Idaimaruthu, Engoi, Ramacheram, Innambar, Emaperur, Thakkalur, Thalayalankadu, Kodumudi, Courtallam, Kollamputhur, Kottaru, and Kadambandurai.
  
  ## Architecture
  
  The temple does not have rajagopura. It has an entrance and a compound wall. After entering from the east outer prakara, nandhi and bali peeta are found. Through the inner entrance, the garbhagriha of the presiding deity can be reached. It faces east, while the Goddess faces south. The temple is renovated . The shrine of Nataraja, known as Nataraja Sabha is also there. In the corner of the front mandapa, Bhairava and Chandra and in the outer prakara, Vinayaka, Visvanathar and Gajalakshmi are found.
  
  