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

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

This is one of the 44 temples on which Moovar has sung hymns to Lord Shiva. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has attained mukthi in this place. This Thirupugalur is also the birthplace of Muruga Nayanar, one of the 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 to Lord Shiva for money to celebrate Panguni Uthiram thiruvizha at Thiruvarur with Paravai Nachiyar. Lord Shiva changed the brick that supported Sundarar’s head during his sleep. But Sundarar didn’t mention 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 have 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 faces 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 the North. In koshtam Vinayagar, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Agasthiyar, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai, Pichadanar, Alingna Kalyana Sundarar, and Sembiyan Mahadevi worship Lord Shiva.

In the praharam, Chinthamaneeswarar, Narthana Vinayagar, and Shiva Lingam are worshiped by Bharadwaja and Appar’s Iykaya sirpam. In the inner praharam, 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 into gold and Agneeswarar are on one Praharam 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 praharam.

Natarajar Sabha and Urchavars are in the mandapam. Urchavar Agneeswarar is with 1 Agni, 2 faces, 7 hands, 3 Thiruvadikal/Legs, 4 horns, and 7 Jyothis-   worth seeing. 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 the 7^th century. The same was reconstructed as a stone temple during the Chozhas period (maybe during Rajaraja-I –I) and further extended by Pandya, Vijayanagaras, and Nattukottai Nagarathars.

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

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal was mentioned as “Kulichezhuntha Nayanar- குளிச்செழுந்த நாயனார்”.  Muruga Nayanar Thirumadam was called “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 record the endowment of gifts to the Ambal temple and pooja to Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal's sannathi. A Queen of the Uttama Chozha gave a gift of a Silver pot to this temple.   

As per the inscription, the artha mandapa was built by Iraiyur Udayan Araiyan Gangaikondan, alias Chozha Vichathara Pallavaraiyan. One of the entrances was called “Rajarajan Thiruvayil”.

 

The 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 the Chidambaram temple, and believed that the 100-pillar mandapa was constructed by him. The compound wall was constructed by Velakuruchi Mahadeva Pandaram’s disciple Arunachala Thambiran. During the Kulothunga-III period, the temple was surrounded by a moat.

Rajararajan-III, period inscription records that the Rishabavahanar was established by Rajaraja Mangalatharayar. A Land was also donated for 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 the castes of the Valangai sect joined together for donation.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 10^th reign year inscription records that land was 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 into stone from the brick structure by the 21 villagers around this temple. Most of the villages exist 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 made 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 arranges for somebody to be in his place 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 arrive 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 into 14 parts, divisions are represented with a straight line, + symbol, horizontal line, etc. The smallest division is 1/14 parts and 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 Punnagavanam, Saranyapuram, and Rakthaaranyam during the ancient period.

Sundarar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and 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, he happened to see the bricks had turned into gold due to the grace of Lord Shiva. The sthala purana is painted on the wall.

Agni and Bharadwaja worshiped Lord Shiva in 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 doing thirupani – Uzhavarapani of many Temples. Lord Shiva wants to show his devotion to this world. During his uzhavaram, Lord Shiva placed some precious gems/stones. But Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal wasn’t attracted; instead, he considered them as waste and threw them along with them. The Lord Shiva sent Celestial dancers/Arambaiyar to entice/ attract/ divert him.  But Appar sent them away. Appar repeatedly prayed to 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 4 Ambals / Goddesses helped a pregnant lady during a delivery. Hence, all 4 Ambals are praised by a common name as “Sri Choolikambal”- Chool – Karu- fetus. After this instance, all 4 Ambals returned to their respective temples and stayed a 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 have existed in the present place of Adheenam.

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

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

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

Thiru Mundeecharam

Thiru Patteeswaram

Thiru Naraiyur Siddheecharam

Thiru Kondeecharam

Thiru Pugalur Vardhamaneecharam

Thiru Ramadeecharam and

Thiru Ketheecharam.

Lord Shiva changes bricks into gold for Sundarar

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

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal throws the gems and precious stones into the pond

Arambaiyar dancing before Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal

Agni worships Lord Shiva

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

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

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

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

CONTACT DETAILS 

Mobile and landline numbers are +91 94431 13025 and +91 4366 - 292 300.

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

HOW TO REACH 

This place is on the bus route from 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.

The nearest Railway station is Thiruvarur.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---