Thirukkuvalai Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Thirukkuvalai Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirukkuvalai – 610 204, Thirukkuvalai Taluk, Nagapattinam District Phone: +91 4366 329 268 / 245 412 Mobile: +91 97862 44876

Deity

Kolilinathar Amman: Vandamar Poonkuzhali

Introduction

Brahmapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirukkuvalai Village in Thirukkuvalai Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Thirukkuvalai Thyagaraja Temple and Thirukolili. Presiding Deity is called as Brahmapureeswarar / Kolilinathar / Kolili Natheswarar and Mother is called as Vandamar Poonguzhali / Brihannayaki. This Temple is considered as one of the SapthaVidanga Sthalams. This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This Temple is the 240th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 123rd sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This Temple is considered as one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams where the Moovar (Thirugnana Sambanthar, Appar and Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams. Thala Virutcham : Thethaa tree Theertham : Brahma Theertham

Puranic Significance

Puranic Significance of the Temple

Historical Background

The temple is believed to have been built in the 3rd century CE.
It is considered one of the Mada Temples built by Kochengata Chola, an early Chola emperor.
The temple was later reconstructed in granite by the Later Cholas and further renovated by the Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kings, and Nayak rulers.
The temple houses the Maragatha Lingam (one of the Saptha Vidanga Lingas), believed to have been brought from a Southeast Asian country by Rajendra Chola I during his legendary invasion of Southeast Asia.

Lord Shiva’s Divine Assistance to Sundarar

Sundarar and His Devotion:
- The great Saivite saint Sundarar was devoted to feeding Lord Shiva’s devotees in Thiruvarur.
- He often prayed to Lord Shiva to provide gold or paddy to continue this noble service.
The Role of Kundaiyur Kizhar:
- A devotee named Kundaiyur Kizhar from Kundaiyur village was also engaged in feeding Shiva’s devotees.
- Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and informed him that He would provide a mound of paddy at his place, which should be handed over to Sundarar.
Divine Transfer of Paddy:
- Kundaiyur Kizhar invited Sundarar to collect the paddy.
- Sundarar was delighted but worried about how to transport the paddy to Thiruvarur.
- He sang a Padhigam (hymn) pleading for Lord Shiva’s help.
- Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva ordered His Bhoodaganas (divine attendants) to shift the entire paddy overnight to Thiruvarur.
Annual Festival Commemorating the Event:
- The event is reenacted annually on the day following the Magam asterism in the Tamil month of Magam.
- A bronze image of Sundarar is taken in a procession from Thirukolili to Kundaiyur Rishabhapureeswarar Temple.
- The mound of paddy is measured and offered to Sundarar as part of the festival.

Brahmapureeswarar – Shiva’s Curse and Blessing to Brahma

The Dispute Between Vishnu and Brahma:
- Once, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma engaged in a debate over who was superior.
- To settle the dispute, they approached Lord Shiva.
- Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of fire and challenged them to find its source.
The Failed Search for the Pinnacle and Base:
- Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and flew upwards to find the top.
- Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar (Varaha) and burrowed downwards to find the base.
- Neither could find the limits of Lord Shiva’s form.
Shiva’s Curse and Brahma’s Redemption:
- Vishnu admitted defeat, but Brahma falsely claimed he had seen the pinnacle.
- Lord Shiva, angered by Brahma’s lie, cursed him, declaring that Brahma would have no temples on earth for his worship.
- Seeking redemption, Brahma came to this temple, created the Brahma Theertha, and worshipped Lord Shiva.
- Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva relieved him of the curse.
- Since Brahma worshipped Shiva here, the deity came to be known as Brahmapureeswarar.

Special Features

Architecture & Entrance:

Faces east with a five-tiered Rajagopuram.
Second-level three-tiered gopuram at the inner prakaram entrance.
A mandapam connects the Rajagopuram and inner gopuram.
Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam, and Nandi are in the mandapam, facing the sanctum.
Vasantha Mandapam is on the right side after Rajagopuram.

Main Deities & Shrines:

Koshta idols around the sanctum: Nardana Ganapathy, Dakshinamoorthy, Bikshadana, Nataraja, Vishnu, Uma Maheswarar, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, and Durga.
Chandikeswarar shrine in its usual location.
Vimana over the sanctum follows Vesara style.
Goddess Vandamar Poonguzhali (Brihannayaki) has a separate east-facing shrine resembling an independent temple.
Thyagaraja Shrine (one of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams) is on the right side of the sanctum.
Dance form associated: Birunga Nadanam (Vandu Nadanam).
Daily Abhishekam: 9:00 AM & 6:00 PM.

Other Shrines & Features:

Shrines for Sundarar with his wife Paravai Nachiyar, Nataraja, Sundara Vadivelan, Thyaga Vinayagar, Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Indrapureeswarar, Chokkalingam, Annamalayar, Naalvar, Mahalakshmi, Chandran, and Suryan.
Vahana Mandapam in the inner prakaram.
Sthala Vriksham: Thetra Maram (Clearing Nut Tree).

Sacred Theerthams:

Brahma Theertham – In front of the temple.
Chandra Nadhi – Flows near the temple.
Indra Theertham – South of the temple.
Agastya Theertham – West of the temple.
Sakthi Theertham – Inside the Parvati shrine, in the form of a well.

Festivals

Avani Vinayagar Chathurthi (Aug-Sep), Purattasi Navaratri (Sep-Oct), Aippasi Annabishekam (OctNov), Thiru Karthigai (Nov-Dec), Margazhi Thiruvadhirai & Sundays (Dec-Jan), Thai Pongal & Thaipoosam (Jan-Feb) and Masi Maha Shivaratri & Magam (Feb-Mar) are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Musukuntha Archana, Vasantha Utsavam and monthly pradoshams are also observed here.