Sri Rathnapureeswarar Temple is located in Tirunattiyathankudi village, in the district of Tiruvarur, in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. The cheif deity of this temple is Rathnapureeswarar-Manickavannar-Karinaleswarar (Lord Shiva) and his consort is Mangalambikai.
The holy tree of this temple is Mavilangai. The holy waters of this temple are Surya and Chandra Theerthams. The agamam or pooja of this temple is known as Kamya Agama. This temple is nearly 1000-2000 years old in this region. The historical name of this place is Natiyathankudi.
According to the Hindu religious scholars and pundits, “The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Sundarar. This is the 118th temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.” The main festivals of this particular temple are in Aadi (July-August) Kotpuli Nayanar Guru Puja on Jeshta (Kettai in Tamil) star day, Shivarathri in Febraury – March, New Year days according to the Hindu traditional calendar and Georgian calendar, Chithirai festival is celebrated in April-May, Navarathri in September-October; Thai Poosam, Aavani Mother Wedding Festival on the first Friday; Sashti in Aipasi-October-November; Deepavali and Pongal.
It is to be highly noted that it is the only Shiva temple in this region that celebrates grandly all the Shiva related auspicious days and religious important days as per the Hindu traditional calendar. Special pujas and rituals are conducted according to the Vedic practices plus ancient Hindu rules and regulations. The temple remains open for all the Hindus from early morning hours to dusk without any break for devotees and pilgrims.