This is the 54thsacred place in the southern banks of Kaveri, consecrated by Thevaram.
The three inscriptions in this temple belong to the periods
of King Raja Raja Cholan and King Kulothungan III.
The place Somaasimaara Naayanar was born. Peruntirukkoil is
a small temple built like a little hill with steps that cannot be climbed by an
elephant. This is one of the three small temples consecrated by King Kocchenkat
Cholan. In the sanctum of patikaasu Vinayakar, there are three small Vinayaka
icons in succession. In the paved corridor are the sanctum of Vinayakar,
Subrahmaniar, Mahalakshmi and Jambukeswarar. The sanctum of the Goddess who is
standing, is separate. Outside to the sanctum, on both the sides are the
sanctum of Adippoora Amman and the bed chamber. After going around the sanctum
and climbing up the steps and reach the upper storey, we can see Lord
Somaskandas sanctum and the prime icons of Vinayaka, Kocchenkat Cholan,
Saraswathi, Jnanacampantar and Appar. Worshipping the Door-Guards and Lord
Vinayaka, we can enter through the small doorway and worship the Prime Deity in
the sanctum. On the rear side of the Prime Deity appears Lord Somaskanda. On
the right is the courts of Lord Nataraja. There are three Ampalavaana icons in
this temple. As koshta icons are Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthi, Mahavishnu and
Brahma. The festival icons that can be worshipped are (1) the big icon standing
with Nandi who revealed to Brahma (2) Brahma (3) Naalvar.
1. Worshipped by Lord Brahma : When both the Lords Vishnu
and Brahma had difference of opinion that they were the Absolute Truth Brahman the God stood between them as a lofty fire pillar and told them that
any one who could see the head or foot of this fire pillar would be declared as
the Cosmic One. Lord Vishnu took the form of a Boar and started his quest to
find out the foot, but came back and announced His impossibility. Lord Brahma
as a Swan flew off to see the head and returned saying a lie that He had seen
the head. God cursed Brahma to become a swan and Brahma pleaded to the Lord to
pardon Him. The Lord asked Brahma to go to this sacred place, Punnakavanam and
meditate. Brahma reached this holy place, created a pond and with the water of
this pond conducted abishekam (sacred bath) to the Lord and carried on His
worship. After many years, His curse was absolved. He was freed from His swan
form and He commenced His duty of creation. The traditional festival, the
Lords appearing before Brahma, is celebrated every year on the Maasi Maham
day.
2. Annihilation of Ampara and Aampara : Ampara and Aampara were born to Sage
Dhurvasa and Madalola, a heavenly maid. Because of the power they got through
their askesis, they were worrying the world. The Lord directed Shakti to see
Kali, who came as a maid. Both Ampara and Aampara took her to be an ordinary
maid and quarreled with each other to have her. The elder fellow died and the
younger one was killed by Kali. The place where Kali killed Ampara is
Ampakarathur. To be liberated from the sin of killing. Kali worshipped the Lord
at Thirumaakaalam and got His blessings.
3. Extermination of Samkaaraseelan : Samkaaraseelan was a demon. Being afraid
of this demon, the devas, according to the direction of Lord Brahma, occupied
this holy place. To protect the devas, the Lord sent Kaala Bhairava to kill the
demon and thus shielded the devas.
4. Benediction of Vimalan : Vimalan a Brahmin went on pilgrimage, came to this
place and worshipped the Lord for many years. The Lord, for his sake, brought
the Ganges of Kasi and granted many boons to him.
5. Absolving off Manmathas curse : Sage Viswamithra had cursed Manmatha that
his arrows should become powerless. Manmatha got relief from this curse by
conducting worship in this sacred place.
6. Nandarajas release of Brahmahatthi sin : King Nandkoopan shot with his
arrow a sage wearing the tigers hide, thinking him to be a tiger. For this
reason, he incurred Brahmahatthi sin and got released from it by worshipping
the Lord here. He also consecrated the temple and happily conducted many
festivals.
7. Kocchenkat Chola Nayanar : In his previous birth he worshipped Jambukeswarar
at Tiruvanaikkaa, as a spider living under the white plum tree. Because of this
great fortune, He was born as King Kocchenkat Cholan and built seventy small
temples that could not be climbed by elephants. He is one of the sixty three
nayanmars. This is the temple built by him. It must be noted that Jambukeswarar
sanctum is also here in this temple.
Moolavar: Brahmapureeswarar, Ambareesar,
Maarapureeswarar
Amman / Thayar: Sukantha
Kunthalaampikai, Poonkuzhalammai, Vantamar Poonkuzhali,
Thala Virutcham: Punnai
(Mast Wood Tree)
Theertham: Brahma
Thirtham, Indra Thirtham, Annamaam Poykai, Choola Thirtham
Pathigam: Sambandar
Old year: 1000-2000
years old
Historical Name: Amparperuntirukkoil, Brahmapuri, Punnakavanam
This temple is located 3 Kms from Poonthottam Bazaar.
Poonthottam is 16 Kms from Tiruvarur. Another paadal petra sivasthalam Ambar
Maakaalam is situated 1 Km from here on the west direction.
This sivasthalam temple is one of the oldest and one among
the 70 Maadakovils built by Ko Chenkat Cholan. The shrine of presiding male
deity is facing east and that of presiding female deity is facing south.
Manmadhan is said to have worshipped in this sthalam. There is a shrine for
Vinayakar who is known as Padikkasu Pulliar. Other shrines are for Paathaleswarar
on the north side and Punnagavareswarar under the Punnai tree.
Here Lord Brahmapureeswarar appears as a self manifested
deity. In the sanctum sanctorum, behind the swayambu murthi Brahmapureeswarar,
we can have the darshan of Lord Somaskanda.
Maasi Maham, Maha Sivarathiri, Markazhi Tiruvathirai,
Aippaci Annabishekam.
To fulfill their desires, people pray to the Goddess of this
temple.
When their desires are fulfilled, the devotees perform
Sacred Bath to the Deity and adorn Him with new clothes.
The temple is open from morning 6?o clock to 11.00 am and in
the evening from 4.30 to 8.30 pm.
Arulmigu Brahmapureeswarar Tirukkoil, Ampal P.O. Via
Poonthottam, Nannilam Taluk, Thanjavur District ? 609 503. Contact Number - 91 4366 238 973.
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.