Lord of the temple is praised by Saint Tirugnana Sambandar
in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 75th Lord Shiva temple on the southern
bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.
The Agazhi (a deep and broad water body letting crocodiles
inside specially constructed around castles and palaces to prevent easy access
to enemies) dug by Banasura still exists here. Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Lord Gnana Vinayaka.
This is the sacred land where Saint Tirunavukkarasar
respectfully known as Appar Adigal attained salvation after serving the Lord by
cleaning Shiva temple grounds and paths to enable devotees to walk comfortably
with an instrument in his hands called Uzhavaram. This land is praised as
Salvation Centre. Appar festival begins 10 days before Chithirai Sadayam
Star dayin April-May. The events includes his home coming from the Jains,
the greatness of his Uzhavaram, dance of Deva women and his merging with Lord
at the midnight of the fourth day festival. Every devotee would be moved
to see this episode only with tears in his/her eyes.
There are two shrines in the same temple for Saint Appar Adigal and Saint
Sundarar. Lord Agnipureeswar (Swayambumurthi), also praised as
Sharanyapureeswarar, Pratyaksha Varadar and Konapiran is gracing devotees from
a shrine. Mother Karundhar Kuzhali, also praised as Sulikambal blesses
devotees from other shrine. Lord Vardamaneswarar and Mother Manonmani are
in a separate shrine. Muruga Nayanar served Lord Vardamaneswara by
preparing garlands for Him.
This is also the place where Agni Bhagwan worshipped Lord Shiva and got
relieved from a curse. Though he has no form as such, he appears here
with two faces, 7 hands, 7 jwala sparks, four horns and 3 feet. This is a
rare Agni Bhagwan idol.
Lord changed the bricks into gold bars for Saint Sundarar in this holy
place. Those building new houses bring bricks to the temples for vasthu
and bhoomi puja to make the new building all prosperous. Also, Mother
Karundhar Kuzhali was gifted with a piece of land for her services to a woman
in labour pain and is praised as Sulikambal. There is no and will not be
any infant or maternal mortality in this place, a belief people strongly hold.
The temple has a single shrine for Emperor Nala and Sani Bhagwan in the
temple. After Nala came out of a bath from the Bana Theertha, a voice
from Sani Bhagwan said that He would leave the king from his adverse aspects at
Tirunallar 7 km far from this place. Saturn-Sani Bhagwan is this temple
is praised as Anugraha Sani merciful Sani.
The grace of Mother Karundhar Kuzhali towards Her devotees is boundless.
Sool in Tamil means pregnancy. As She took care of a woman during her
labour time and ensured safe delivery of the child, She is praised as
Sulikambal. Women strongly believe that nothing untoward would happen to
them or the child as they under the direct grace of Mother Sulikambal.
People pray to Her offering vastras for child boon.
Three Murthis in the temple, Bhoodeshwarar, Varthamaneswarar and
Bhavishyeswarar are the symbols of past, present and future. This is the
birth place of Muruga Nayanar who worshipped Varthamaneswarar offering garlands
made by him. He has three faces human, bird and a swine. As devas
sought asylum here for protection from the threats of demons, the place is also
praised as Pugazhoor.
Banasura belongs to the demon community. His mother
was Madhiniar. She was a staunch Lord Shiva devotee. To facilitate
his mothers Shiva puja, Banasura was bringing many swayambu Lingas. He
once came to Tirupugalur and found countless Lingas. He found a
Swayambulinga but could not move it. He dug a deep and vast Agazhi around
the temple and tried to move the Linga again but in vain, except that the agazhi
was full of water springing from the ground.
He decided to end himself in frustration. A voice from the sky told
Banasura, "I will make myself present for your mother?s Shiva puja?. Lord
in the name of Konapiran with Punnai flowers on His head, appeared before his
mother. After the puja was over, Lord returned to Tirupugalur.Lord Shiva is a swayambulinga. Agni
Bhagwan in the temple has 2 faces, 7 hands, 7 jwala sparks, 4 horns and 3
feet.
Moolavar: Agneeswarar
Amman / Thayar: Karundharkuzhali
Thala Virutcham: Punnai
Theertham: Agni
theertham
Old year:1000-2000
years old
Historical Name: Thirupugalur
This sivasthalam temple is located 7 Kms from Nannilam.
Another paadal petra sthalam Tiruppugalur
Varthamaneecharam is located inside the Agneewarar temple at
Tiruppugalur near Konapiran shrine. ADivya Desam shrine of Lord
Vishnu is situated at Tirukkannapuram which is very near to Tiruppugalur.
Lord Shiva is Swayambumurthi in the temple. Saint
Tirunavukkarasar, also known as Appar attained salvation in this place. Muruga
Nayanar, one among the 63 celebrated Saivite Nayanars was born here. Agni
Bagwan graces in the temple with 7 Jyoti lines, five hands and three legs, an
idol too rare.
10 day Vaikasi Poornima Brahmmotsavam in May-June with an
event of Lord granting darshan to Agni Bhagwan,; 10 day Appar Baktha Utsav in
Chithirai beginning on Sadaya Star day in April-May; small festivals each month
and on pradosha days of the month, Deepavali in October- November;
Pongal-Makara Sankranthi falling almost on January 14 and Tamil and English New
year days are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Vasthu purity is an important basis for constructing
buildings. This is a science that deals with the designing of the
apartments in a particular direction Kitchen, bathrooms, main hall, bedrooms
etc at appropriate sides. This would avoid any invisible troubles
entering then.
This is a temple noted for Vasthu prayer. Before beginning the
construction, people use to bring the bricks to the temple, perform archanas
and take them back for the building work.
Pregnant women worship Ambica for safe delivery. According to the Sthala
Purana, Ambica Herself as a midwife took care of a woman in labour pain and
ensured safety to both mother and child. A prasad oil is offered in the
temple for the purpose.
Devotees worship Lord Agneeswarar for mental peace. They are blessed with
boons of wedding, child, job opportunity, progress in trade, promotions and
welfare. Devotees offer Kalyana Malai-wedding garland and vastras to
Lord and Ambica for the wedding boon. They also perform abishek with milk,
cosmetic powders, turmeric, sacred ash, oil, milk etc. and dress Ambica with
sandal paste. Devotees distribute the nivedhana to other devotees and
contribute for temple renovation fund.
The temple is opened from 5.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00
p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Sri Agneeswaraswami Temple, Thirupugalur- 609 704,
Nagapattinam District. Contact Number - +91 4366 237 198, 273 176, 94431 13025,
94435 88339.
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.