Natrunaiyappar Temple, Ponsei

Natrunaiyappar Temple is a Shiva temple in the village of Ponsei, also called Thirunanipalli, in Mayiladuthurai district, about 13 km from Mayiladuthurai town. It stands on the south side of the Kaveri in the old Chola country, and Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar all composed Tevaram hymns to its deity, which makes it a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Shiva is believed here to have granted his wedding vision to Vinayaka and the sage Agastya.

The temple is credited to Parantaka Chola I (907–950) and dated to the 9th century. Its sanctum is said to be large enough for an elephant to have worshipped inside, and a figure of Vijayalaya Chola appears on a temple wall. Ponsei is also linked to Sambandar's mother Bhagwati, who was born here, and tradition credits a song by the saint with turning the parched land into fields. The Chithirai festival is held each year from 7 to 13 April.