Thirupugalur Sri Agneeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Thirupugalur Sri Agneeswarar Temple, Thirupugalur, Thirukkannapuram, Nagapattinam District – 609 704

Deity

Agnipureeswarar Amman: Karundar kuzhali

Introduction

Agnipureeswarar Temple (also called Thirupugalur temple) in Thirupugalur, a village in Nagapattinam district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Shiva. Constructed in the Tamil style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 10th century. Shiva is worshipped as Agnipureeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Karundar Kuzhali. The temple is believed to be the place where Saiva saint Appar is believed to have attained salvation. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five-tiered Rajagopurams, the gateway tower. Thala Virutcham : Punnai Theertham : Agni theertham

Puranic Significance

The exact history of the temple could not be determined based on inscriptional evidence, but it is believed to have been built during the Chola period (10th-11th centuries CE).

Legends & Mythological Significance

Worship by Agni Bhagavan (Fire God)
- As per Hindu legend and Sthalapurana, Agni Bhagavan (Fire God) worshipped Shiva at this place.
- As a result, the presiding deity was named Agnipureeswarar, and the temple tank was called Agni Theertham.
Bhudevi’s Devotion & Banasura’s Attempt
- Bhudevi, consort of Lord Vishnu, wished to install and worship a Shiva Linga.
- Her son, Banasura, attempted to dig up a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Linga, but failed to lift it.
- Due to this, the Linga appears tilted, earning Shiva the name “Konapiran” (Lord in a tilted form).
- Pleased with Bhudevi’s devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in his dancing form before her.
Shiva Turning Bricks into Gold
- It is believed that at this place, Lord Shiva turned bricks into gold for the Nayanar saint Sundarar.
Worship by Sun God & Sage Paraduvasar
- Surya Bhagavan (Sun God) and Sage Paraduvasar worshipped Lord Shiva here.
- Muruga Nayanar, a great Shaivite saint, was born here and composed several hymns on Shiva.
- He sang along with famous Nayanmars such as Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Siruthondar, and Thiruneelakandar.

Temple Architecture & Sanctums (Sannidhis)

The temple is large in size and features various small sanctums, including:
- Ganesha
- Murugan
- Linga worshipped by Paraduvasar
- Agni Bhagavan
- 63 Nayanmars
- Pancha Lingas
- Thirunavukkarasar
- Maha Lakshmi
- Saneeswaran (Saturn deity)
- King Nala
- Navagrahas (Nine Planets)
- Saraswati Devi
- Annapurani
- Kala-Samharamurthy (Shiva as Time’s Destroyer)
- Nataraja (Cosmic Dancer Shiva)
- Dakshinamoorthy (Guru Shiva)
- Agastya Maharishi
- Brahma
- Durga Devi
- Pichadanar (Bhikshatana Shiva)
- Kalyana Sundarar (Lord of Divine Marriage)

Notable Sanctums in the Temple

Agni Bhagavan – Depicted with two faces, seven hands, three legs, and four horns.
Soora-Samharamurthy – Shiva in the form of Murugan’s divine warrior aspect.
Somaskandar – Shiva seated with Parvati and Murugan.
Natarajar – Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer.

Banasura’s Devotion & The Temple’s Moat

Banasura’s mother was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.
To please her, Banasura collected Swayambhu Lingas from various places.
When he tried to lift the Shiva Linga from this temple, he failed.
Out of devotion, he attempted to sacrifice himself, at which point Shiva appeared and accepted him.
The large trench Banasura dug while attempting to lift the Linga became the temple’s moat and sacred theertham.
Shiva accepted his mother’s prayers and tilted his head towards her direction, hence he is called “Konapiran” (Lord in a tilted form).

Beliefs

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.

Special Features

Appar Adigal’s Salvation and Festival:
- This is the sacred land where Saint Tirunavukkarasar (Appar Adigal) attained salvation after dedicating himself to temple service.
- He cleaned the temple grounds using an instrument called Uzhavaram to help devotees walk comfortably.
- The temple is praised as a Salvation Centre.
- The Appar festival begins 10 days before Chithirai Sadayam Star day (April-May) and includes:
  - His return from the Jains
  - The greatness of his Uzhavaram
  - The dance of celestial women
  - His merging with Lord Shiva at midnight on the fourth day
- The emotional significance of this episode moves devotees to tears.
Dedicated Shrines for Appar and Sundarar:
- The temple has separate shrines for Appar Adigal and Saint Sundarar, both great Shaivite saints.
Lord Agnipureeswarar’s Unique Forms:
- Lord Shiva is enshrined as Agnipureeswarar (Swayambumurthi), also known as:
  - Sharanyapureeswarar
  - Pratyaksha Varadar
  - Konapiran
Goddess Karundhar Kuzhali (Sulikambal) – The Divine Protector:
- Goddess Karundhar Kuzhali, also praised as Sulikambal, blesses devotees from her shrine.
- She is believed to have helped a woman in labor, ensuring a safe childbirth.
- A piece of land was gifted to the goddess in gratitude for her divine service.
- It is strongly believed that no infant or maternal mortality occurs in this place.
- Women offer vastras to Sulikambal for safe childbirth and child blessings.
Sacred Trinity of Shiva:
- The temple enshrines three forms of Lord Shiva, representing:
  - Bhoodeshwarar (Past)
  - Vardamaneswarar (Present)
  - Bhavishyeswarar (Future)
Muruga Nayanar’s Birthplace & Devotion:
- The temple is the birthplace of Muruga Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.
- He worshipped Lord Vardamaneswarar by offering hand-made garlands.
- His idol is unique, featuring three faces – human, bird, and swine.
The Miraculous Transformation of Bricks into Gold:
- Lord Shiva turned bricks into gold bars for Saint Sundarar at this temple.
- Even today, devotees bring bricks for Vastu and Bhoomi Puja before building new houses, believing it will bring prosperity.
Agni Bhagwan’s Worship and Rare Form:
- Agni Bhagwan worshipped Lord Shiva here to relieve himself from a curse.
- Though Agni has no form, he is depicted in a rare idol at this temple, featuring:
  - Two faces
  - Seven hands
  - Seven jwala (flame) sparks
  - Four horns
  - Three feet
King Nala and Saturn’s Grace:
- Emperor Nala took a holy dip in the Bana Theertha and was blessed by Sani Bhagwan.
- Sani Bhagwan (Saturn) in this temple is known as Anugraha Sani (Merciful Saturn).
- A divine voice declared that Nala would be fully freed from Saturn’s effects at Tirunallar, 7 km away.
- The temple uniquely has a single shrine for both Nala and Sani Bhagwan.
Divine Protection at Pugazhoor:
- As Devas sought protection from demons here, the place is also called Pugazhoor (Land of Fame).

Festivals

There are weekly rituals like somavaram (Monday) and sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham, and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi. Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May – June) is the most important festivals of the temple.