You may also be interested in the following(s)

The river Pambaru flows south of the temple. The sea is at a distance of 3 kilometres. As the place is just at the entrance (Punal) of the river and sea, the place is named Tirupunavasal entrance place. The main tower (Rajagopuram) is 65 feet tall. The Brahmma theertha is outside the temple. There is only a small level of water in the tank. There are shrines for Pancha Vinayaka, 9 sons of Sage Kabila, ancient Shiva devotees, Dakshinamurthy, Aadhi Vinayaka of the place, Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Brhamma, Chandikeswara and Gajalakshmi. Mother Goddess Periyanayaki graces from a separate shrine facing east. The Kudavarai Kali Shrine is opposite the Goddess shrine.

It is generally said that the Shivalinga in Thanjavur Pragadeeswarar is the biggest. In fact, the Linga installed by Rajendra Cholan (son of Rajaraja Cholan) in Gangaikondacholapuram is bigger than the Thanjavur Shivalinga. While the Linga in Thanjavur is 12.5 feet tall, the one in Gangaikondacholapuram is 13.5 feet tall. The circumference of the Avudayar (the seat or throne on which the Linga is installed) is 60 feet round. Though the Linga in Tirupunavasal is only 9 feet tall, the Avudayar is 82.5 feet round. Therefore, while dressing the Avudayar, two people are required, one to hold the one of the dhoti and the other to go round to cover the Avudayar. Linga requires 3 Muzham (a scale basis) while the Avudayar requires 30 Muzham cloth. Based on this fact, a proverb also came later that 3 Muzham is for a round and 30 muzham also for a round. A muzham is approximately 2.75 feet. Based on this measurement, Avudayar needs a dhoti of approximately 82.5 feet. Devotees place orders with the weavers for a 90 feet dhoti and offer it to the Lord. To perform the abishek to Lord Shiva, ladders are formed around the Avudayar to reach the height. They stand on the ladder and perform the abishek. Kalli also the Holy Tree: There will be just one or two Holy Trees in the temples. As this temple is believed to be in existence during all the Yugas, four holy trees are attributed to this temple. Even the Kalli plant neglected and rejected many, also has the pride of being a holy tree here, indicating the truth that Lord accepts even that which is hated by others. During the Krutha Yuga, the place was known as Vajravanam and Indirapuram with Chathurakalli as the holy tree, as Brahmmapuram with Kurunda tree in Thretha Yuga, as Vruddhakasi with Magizha tree and as Pazhampathi with Punnai tree in Kali Yuga. All the trees are revered as the four Vedas. Kali the furious. The place was once infested with Chaturakalli trees. Sage Gargava was performing penance.

Lord Brahmma had to lose his position as Creator as he was not able to explain the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. As advised by Mother Parvathi, He came to earth, installed a Sivalinga and worshipped to get back his position. Brahmma also created a tank to draw water for the abishek of Lord Shiva. As the spring was created by him, it is called Brahmma Theertha. Also, as Brahmma has four faces, He made four faces in the Linga too, hence the Linga came to be known as Chaturmuka Linga (Chaturmukha) means four faces. This was the Linga worshipped by devotees in the early days. In the years that followed, King Sundara Pandian built a temple combining the tradition of both Pandyas and the Cholas. In the Chola temple, the main tower (Rajagopuram) would be small and Vimanam taller and in the Pandya temples it would be other way round. As the temple combines both traditions both are taller. The Shivalinga was installed on a big Avudayar (the seat for placing the deity) in the sanctum sanctorum. The Lord was named Vruddhapureeswarar indicating the age. Vruddha means old. In Tamil, He is called Pazhampathinathar. As the place is ancient as Lord Brahmma the Creator, the place is considered to be very old.

Moolavar: Viruthapureeswarar, Pazhampathinayagar (Pazhampathinathar)

Amman / Thayar: Periyanayaki, Parankarunainayagi, Karunainayagi
Thala Virutcham: Punnai, Chathurkalli, Magizham and Kurundam

Theertham: Lakshmi and Brahmma theertham

Agamam / Pooja: sivakamam

Pathigam: Sambandar, Sundarar

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name: Punnaivanam

This temple can be reached by travelling from Arantangi to Meemisal (38 Kms) and from there to Tiruppunavayil (12 Kms). 48 km from Aranthangi.

11 day Vaikasi Visakam (may-June) is grandly celebrated in the temple.

Surya puja (Puja to Sun God) is performed on Vaikasi Visakam star day (May-June) as the rays of Sun falls on the presiding deity.

Relief from Mars aspects. Mars is one of the 9 planets. He himself was the subject of a curse of a sage. He worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple for relief from the curse. It should be noted that Mars is a powerful planet whose adverse aspects in the life of men would produce evil results. As Mars himself got the relief in this temple, it is known for its importance for a relief from Mars effects.

Those celebrating the Valaikappu (Seemantham) for the pregnant women, offer the first bangle to the Goddess. It is noteworthy, till today there is not a single maternity hospital in places around the temple. Their faith is so deep that by the grace of Kali, the delivery would safely occur in their respective house itself.

The temple is opened from 6.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Sri Vruddhapureeswarar (Pazhampathinathar) Temple, Tirupunavasal, Pudukoottai. Contact Number - +914371239212, 9965211768.

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.