Thiripuranthakar

Significance

The Moolavar here is called asThiripuranthakar, Thiruvirkolanathar. Ambal is called by the name Thirupuranthaki. Lord is called as Thiripuranthakar because he killed the Asuras of Thiripuram. As he starts for the fight, the, axle of his chariot was broken. He got down from the chariot and stands with his bow and arrow in a rare form. Hence he is called by the name Thiruvirkolanathar. And this place is also called Thiruvirkolam. Lord Siva rose as suyambu from kooram, that is axle. This Kooram later became Koovam as presently known.

During the Brahmmotsavam festival, Lord appears with the bow. This darshan is considered very important in this temple.

Swamy: Arulmigu Thiripuranthagar

Ambal : Arulmigu Thiripuranthagi

Theertham : Koovakni Theertham

Sthala Viruksham : Vilvam

Pathigam: Thirugnanasambandar sung the Pathigam on this deity.

Festival :

10 day Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May,
10 day Aadi Poo Pavadai festival for Ambica in July-August,
Mahashivrathri in February-March and
Arudra darshan-Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

This temple was built in a 2.50 Acre land with two pragarams. The Rajakopuram is a magnificent 4 tier tower.

Swamy and Ambal sannathi are facing east. In the inner pragaram Acharutha Vinayakar, Murugan, Dakshnamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahmma, Durgai, Sandikeswarar, Natarajar and Bairavar Sannithis are there. In the outer Pragaram Ambal Sannithi, Sthala Viruksham (Vilvam), Nandhi, Peedam and Kodimaram are there.

About

This temple is one of the pancha bootha sthalam of Thondanadu temples. This temple is Agni Sthalam which represents fire. The Moolavar is a suyambu lingam and the lingam is untouchable. Even the sivachariar who is doing the abishegam and pooja will not touch the lingam. The deity will appear in white colour if it is going to rain heavily. If the lingam appears in red colour, it announce a caution that a war is going to happen. About this wonder Thirugnanasambandar praised about this lord in his Thevara Pathigam.

Koovam river is flowing near the temple. For abishekam water is taken from this river.

There is a village nearby the temple by name PINCHIVAKKAM. Every day milk is brought from this village at 11.00 AM for Abishekam and Uchikala Kala pooja (Mid day pooja at around 12.00 Noon).

There is an injury scar on the head of Lord Shiva. Hence, pujas are performed without touching the head of the Lord. Borneol (Pachai Karpuram) is sprayed on Lord?s head and abishek is performed with milk. It is said that Lord Shiva is performing penance here. As the sound of frogs would be a hindrance to penance, there are no frogs in the Agni Theertha here, it is said. As the Lord took on a march against Tripuranthaka demons, He also bears the name Tripuranthaka, and Mother Tripuranthaki. When the axle of His Rath broke, Lord got down and stood with his bow and arrow. Lord Shiva holding a bow is a rare form, hence also named Tiruvirkolanathar. The place is named Tiruvirkolam. During the Chithirai Brahmmotsavam festival, Lord appears with the bow. This darshan is considered very important in the temple.

At the request of Sages Munjikesar and Karkodar, Lord Shiva played his Oordhva Thandavam a dance with fast and furious movements and won Kali in the competition. Kali was too angry to accept Her defeat. Lord Shiva told Kali that He would be playing a pleasing dance Raksha dance in Tiruvirkolam when She can have His darshan and shed Her anger. Kali had the pleasing darshan of the Lord on the occasion and became merciful. Kali is gracing the devotees in the name of Tharka Madha in a separate shrine a little away from the temple. Kali assumed the name of Tharka Madha as She contested against Lord Shiva in the dance competition. Tharka in Sanskrit means debate.

Worshipping Lord Tripuranthaka enhances the personality of the devotee, relieves him/her from evil and arrogant behaviours. It makes family life more loving. Devotees also pray to Lord Achirutha Vinayaka who damaged the Rath of Lord Shiva before starting any new undertakings.

Do & Don't

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.