Sri Agnipureeswarar Temple / அக்னிபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், திருப்புகலூர்/ Thirupugalur, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 192^nd  Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam  and 75^th sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri of Chozha Nadu. These are moovar Padal Petra sthalam. The another Paadal Petra Sthalam Thirupugalur Varthamaneecharam is also in this temple complex. 

This is one of the 44 temples on which moovar has sung hymns on Lord Shiva. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has attained mukthi in this place. This Thirupugalur is also birth place of Muruga Nayanar, one of 63 Nayanmars. This is the Sathayam nakshatra temple.

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of  Thiruchengattankudi.

புக்குஎதிர்தாழ்ந்து விழுந்து எழுந்து பூம்புகலூர்மன்னு புண்ணியரை

நெக்குரு குஞ்சிந்தை அன்பு பொங்க நிறைமலர்க் கண்ணீர் அருவி செய்ய

மிக்க தமிழ்த்தொடை மாலை சாத்தி மேவிய ஏழிசை பாடிப் போந்து

திக்கு நிறைசீர் முருகர் முன்பு செல்ல அவர்மடஞ்சென்று புக்கார்

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Sundarar prayed Lord Shiva for money to celebrate Panguni Uthiram thiruvizha at Thiruvarur with Paravai Nachiyar. Lord Shiva changed the brick which supported Sundarar’s head during his sleep. But Sundarar didn’t mentioned this legend anywhere in his hymns.

சுற்றம் இருந்த தொண்டர்களும் துயிலும் அளவில் துணைமலர்க்கண்

பற்றும் துயில் நீங்கிடப் பள்ளி உணர்ந்தார் பரவை கேள்வனார்

வெற்றி விடையார் அருளாலே வேமண் கல்வே விரிசுடர்ச் செம்

பொன்திண்கல் ஆயின கண்டு புகலூர் இறைவர் அருள் போற்றி

……. சுந்தரர் புராணம் 

Moovar ie Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar and Vallalar has sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

வெங்கள்விம்மு குழலிளையர் ஆடவ்வெறி விரவுநீர்ப்

பொங்கு செங்கட் கருங்கயல்கள் பாயும் புகலூர்தனுள்

திங்கள்சூடித் திரிபுரம் ஒரு அம்பால் எரியூட்டிய

எங்கள் பெம்மான் அடிபரவ நாளும்இடர் கழியுமே

……… திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

தம்மை யேபுகழ்ந்து இச்சை பேசினும் சார்கி னும்தொண்டர் தருகிலாப்

பொய்ம்மை யாளரைப் பாடா தேஎந்தை புகலூர் பாடுமின் புலவீர்காள்

இம்மை யேதரும் சோறுங் கூறையும் ஏத்த லாம்இடர் கெடலுமாம்

அம்மை யேசிவ லோகம் ஆள்வதற்(கு) யாதும் ஐயுற வில்லையே

…… சுந்தரர்

                                                              -“சொற்கெசடிய

வன்புகலா நெஞ்சில் மருவுமொரு தகைமைத்

தென்புகலூர் வாழ்மகாதேவனே – இன்பமறை

அர்த்தமா நீக்கரிய ஆதாரமாநின்ற

வர்த்தமா நேச்சரத்து வாய்ந்தவனே”.

….. திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri  Agnipureeswarar, Sri Saranya Pureeswarar,

                  Sri Konapiran.

Consort    : Soolikambal, Sri Karuntharkuzhali.

Some of the Salient features of these temples are…..

The temple is facing east with a Moat / agazhi around, believed to be excavated by Banasuran. The first level Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers and the  second level is of 3 tiers. In between the two Rajagopuras Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam. Moolavar is of swayambhu, slanting towards North. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Agasthiyar, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai, Pichadanar, Alingna Kalyana Sundarar and Sembiyan Mahadevi worshiping Lord Shiva.

In prakaram Chinthamaneeswarar, Narthana Vinayagar, Shiva Lingam worshiped by Bharadwaja and Appar’s Iykaya sirpam, In the inner prakaram Chandrasekar, Agni, Arupathumoovar, Panchalingas, Appar Sannathi, Vatapi Vinayagar, Subramaniar, Shiva Lingam worshiped by Maharishis, Mahalakshmi, Saneeswarar, Navagrahas ( Navagrahas are in L shape ), Saraswati / Kalaimagal, Annapoorani, Kalasamharar, Agora Lingam, 63var, Bootheswarar, Vatapi Ganapati and Bhavitcheswarar. Paintings of Shiva turning the Bricks in to gold and Agneeswarar are one Prakaram wall. Ambal is in a separate Sannathi near Rajagopuram.

The Shiva Lingas worshiped by, Lord Muruga, Mahavishnu, Neelakanda Sivachariyar, Sages Jamadagni, Bhardwajar, Thatheesi, Vyasar, Birugu, Pulasthiyar, Jabali, Indra and Varadarayar are in the prakaram.

Natarajar Sabha and Urchavars are in the mandapam. Urchavar Agneeswarar is with 1 Agni, 2 faces, 7 hands, 3 Thiruvadikal / Legs, 4 horns,  7 jyothis-   worth to see), The other Urchavars are Mooga Surasamharam Moorthy and Somaskandar. Ramanatheecharam ( Thirukkannapuram ) urchavar are also kept in this temple for safety reasons.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, this original temple might have existed before 7^th century. The same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozhas period ( may be during Rajaraja –I ) and further extended by Pandya, Vijayanagaras and Nattukottai Nagarathars.

About 67 inscriptions recorded from this temple. These inscriptions belongs to Rajarajan-I, Rajendran-I, Kulothunga Chozha-I, Kulothunga Chozha-III. Asper the inscription this place was under Kashathriya Sigamani Valanadu during Rajarajan-I, and Mummudichozha valanadu during Kulothunga Chozha-I period. This place was called as Panaiyur Nattu Brahmadeyam Thirupugalur and Lord Shiva was called as Konaperuman and Ambal was called as Nampirattiyar.  

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal was mentioned as “Kulichezhuntha Nayanar- குளிச்செழுந்த நாயனார்”.  Muruga Nayanar Thirumadam was called as “Nambinayanar Thirumadam- நம்பி நாயனார் திருமடம் ”, Thiruneelakanda Yazhpanar as Dharumapura Nayanar /  Yazhmurinayanar -யாழ்முரி நாயனார், தருமபுரத்து நாயனார்” and Thiruneelanakka Nayanar as Nakka Nayanar. Rajendra Chozha-I’s inscription mentions Lord Shiva’s name as Sri Kameeshwaramudaya  Mahadevar.

Rajarajan period inscriptions records the endowment of  gifts to Ambal temple and pooja to Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal sannathi. A Queen of Uttama Chozha gave a gift of Silver pot to this temple.   

As per the inscription the arthamandapa was built by Iraiyur Udayan Araiyan Gangaikondan alias Chozha Vichathara Pallavaraiyan. One of the entrance was called as “Rajarajan Thiruvayil”

Neerazhipathi mandapa around the sanctum sanctorum was built by Arcot Kizhan Sethurayan. There was a Mandapa in the name of “Naraloka Veeran Thirumandapam”, Naraloka Veeran had done many Thirupani to Chidambaram temple and believed that 100 pillar mandapa was constructed by him.  Compound wall was constructed by Velakuruchi Mahadeva Pandaram’s disciple Arunachala Thambiran. During Kulothunga-III, period the temple was surrounded by a moat.

Rajararajan-III, period inscription records the Rishabavahanar was established by Rajaraja Mangalatharayar. A Land was also donated for the this Rishaba vahanar, a nandhavanam for raising Sengazhuneer flowers after purchase from three people.

Jadavarman Sundara Pandiyan’s 10^th reign year inscription records that the Sri Maheswaras, Agambadiyar, Kaniyalar, Vellalar, Kaikolar, Senai kaikolar, Kannalar, Kalapalar joined together and gifted to this temple, Kulothunga Chozha Valanattu Panaiyur Nattu Thirupugalur Udayar Temple treasury. Also it is mentioned as Valangai, which denotes that castes of a Valangai sect joined together for donation.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 10^th reign year inscription records that land given to Thiruneelakanda Uyyavanthan alias Rajendra Chozha Asari / Achari, Thiruneelakandan Thillai Nayakan alias Thirupugalur Achari as Thachchu Asariya Kani ( Carpenters ).

Vijayanagara period Saka 1673 ie 1751 CE inscription records that the compound wall was reconstructed in to stone from brick structure by the 21 villagers around this temple. Most of the villages are exists even now.

Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 44^th reign year inscription records the endowment of Abhishekam to Moolavar and Naivedyam, on every Amavasai ( new moon day ) for which donation of paddy was donated and for making Jewellery, 20 Kalanju gold was gifted by Iraiyurudayan Araiyan Gangaikondan alias Vichchathira Pallavaraiyan.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 15^th reign year inscription records that Thiruvennainallur Poiyatha Sevadi Kunikkum Piran had received land as Kani  for reciting Thirupathiyam ( Thevara hymns ).  If he arrange somebody in place of him or for him may get the Paddy and Kasu from the temple. The order was issued by the King directly.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 21^st reign year inscription records the  celebration of thiruvizha on  Rajaraja Chozha and his queen Panchavan Mahadevi’s birth star Sathayam day of every month, for the same 9 mavaraiye araiye 3 ma land was gifted to this temple by the King and Maha Sabhai received 15 Kasu and given the land as iraiyil. 

A land measuring Kol – 146 inches or 365 CM, it is divided in to 14 parts, divisions are represented with straight line, + symbol, horizontal line etc. the smallest division is 1/14 parts, is inscribed on the wall. It is believed this was used to measure the land in this village.  

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 27^th March 2003 after renovations. The temple is under the Administrative control of Velakruchi Adheenam.

LEGENDS 

This place was called as Punnagavanam, Saranyapuram and Rakthaaranyam during ancient period.

Sundarar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple prayed for some money for his wife Paravai Nachiyar. During his visit, the temple was under renovation, after worship Sundarar slept in the prahara by keeping some bricks to support his head. After he woke up, happened to see the bricks had turned in to gold due to grace of Lord Shiva. The sthala purana is painted on the wall.

Agni and Bharadwaja worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Lord Shiva in the form of Chandrasekar to Agni and relieved him from all sins. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Agnipureeswarar.  

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal had spent most of his life by doing thirupani – Uzhavarapani of many Temples. Lord Shiva wants to show his devotion to this world. During his uzhavram Lord Shiva placed some precious gems / stones. But Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal didn’t attracted, instead he considers those as wastes and threw along with them. The Lord Shiva sent Celestial dancers / Arambaiyar to entice / attract / divert him.  But Appar sent them away. Appar repeatedly prayed Lord Shiva to give him Mukthi. Lord Shiva gave him Mukthi at the age of 81, on Chitra Sathayam thithi. ( சிவஜோதியுடன்ஐகியம்ஆனார்), Chithirai Sathayam Nakshatra day. To commemorate this event, a 10 day festival is celebrated.  This sthala purana is also painted on the wall.

It is believed that all the 4 Ambals / Goddess helped a pregnant lady for a delivery. Hence All the 4 Ambals are praised in a common name as “Sri Choolikambal”- Chool – Karu- foetus. After this instance all the 4 Ambals returned to their respective temples and stayed little away from the moolavar sannadhi. Ambal of this temple is praised as “Karukatha Nayaki”.     

Muruga nayanar  was born in this place. As per Periyapuranam, Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Siruthondar and Thiruneelanakkar assembled at Muruga nayanar thirumadam. It is believed that the Thirumadam may be existed in the present place of Adheenam.

It is believed that Nalan was blessed by Saneeswaran at this temple and got relieved at Thirunallar.  Hence Saneeswaran is considered as a “Anugraha Murthy”.  

It is believed that the Devas and Sages took asylum in this place to escape from the torture from the demons. Hence this place is called as “Pugalur – புகலூர்- asylum in Tamil”.

This is one of the seven Lord Shiva temples and all of them are Paadal Petra Sthalas, which are ends with “Charam”.

Thiru Mundeecharam

Thiru Patteeswaram

Thiru Naraiyur Siddheecharam

Thiru Kondeecharam

Thiru Pugalur Vardhamaneecharam

Thiru Ramadeecharam and

Thiru ketheecharam.

Lord Shiva changes bricks in to gold for Sundarar

Banasuran tries to lift the Shiva Linga for his mother's worship

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal throwing the gems and precious stones in the pond

Arambaiyar dancing before Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal

Agni worships Lord shiva

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The two most important Brahmotsavams are 10 days Vaikasi Poornima in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ) to commemorate the event of granting Darshan to Agni, 10 days “Appar Bhakta Utsav” in the month Chithirai ( April – May ) beginning of Sadhayam star day,  to commemorate the event of Lord Shiva gave mukthi to Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal.

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on, Aani Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( June – July ), Aadi pooram in the month Aadi ( July – Aug ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Makar Sankranti and Thaipoosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradoshams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS 

Mobile and Land line numbers are +91 94431 13025, +91 4366 - 292 300.

Ramanatha Gurukkal, may be contacted on his mobile his mobile number +91 94878 64858, for further details. 

HOW TO REACH 

This place is on the bus route Nagapattinam to Nannilam.

This place Thirupugalur is 14 KM from Thiruvirkudi, 21 KM from Thiruvarur, 21  KM from Karaikal 27 KM from Nagapattinam, 40 KM from Kumbakonam and 289 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Thiruvarur.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---