Tirumayanam Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Tirumayanam Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Tirumayanam, Aadhi Kadavur, Thirukadayur Post, Tharangambadi Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 311.PH:9442012133

Diety

Brahmapureeswarar Amman: Malarkuzhalminnammai

Introduction

Tirumayanam Brahmapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Tirumayanam in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Brahmmapureeswarar. His consort is known as Malarkuzhal Minnammai. This temple is right behind the famous Amirthaghateswarar temple in the easterly direction, about 3 km away. Theertham (Holy water): Kasi Theertham

Puranic Significance

In this place, Lord Shiva is believed to have first burnt Lord Brahma and then remade him as holy water – hence the name Mayaanam. Since Lord Brahma is the creator god in Hinduism, after his death the process of creation came to a standstill. The celestial gods came to this place and requested Lord Shiva to reinstate Lord Brahma. Lord Shiva then revived Brahma and reinstated him and bestowed upon him the duty of creation. It is believed that this is third such Mayaanam. It is also believed that Lord Shiva further taught Brahma the “Shiva Gnanam” here. Hence this place is also known as “Thiru Meignanam”. Another legend is that Lord Shiva created a well here with water from the Ganges for Sage Markandeya to perform his pooja. This well is located next to the holy water of this temple “Brahma Theertham”. Water is taken from this well to Thirukadaiyur temple for daily ablution (abhishekam) of Sri Amirthakateswarar. It is believed that no other water is being used for abhishekam of Sri Amirthakateswarar. Also, water from this well is not used for other deities. It is believed that once a king tried to perform abhishekam for Lord Brahmapureeswarar using the water from this well. However, as soon as the water was poured on the lingam, a crack appeared on it. This crack can still be seen on the lingam. Another legend associated with this temple is that of the Chalukya King Emakeridan. He was defeated in battle by another king and was thrown out of his kingdom. Since he was a Shiva devotee, he visited many temples asking Lord Shiva for his blessings. He came to this temple and prayed to Lord Singaravelar (Murugan) and sought his help. It is believed that Lord Murugan took the form of this king and went to his kingdom along with his army. The lord defeated the enemy king and later asked Emakeridan to take control of his country. The king is believed to have donated 53 acres of land to this temple. These lands are still be called as “Singaraveli”. As per the “Sthala Puranam”, a few more legends are associated with this temple – A Chola king, who had leprosy, visited and prayed to the lord here and got cured of his ailment. A Vedic scholar Somadevasarma was relieved from his “Brahmahathi dosham” after worshiping the lord here; and a brahmin by the name of Sivasarma from Pandiya Nadu, was cured of his curse which had made him take the form of a crow. He later obtained salvation in this temple. It is believed that Ganges visited this temple’s holy water on Aswini star day in the Tamil month of Panguni. Every year, on this day, procession idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are taken to this well and “Theerthavari” festival is celebrated in a grand manner.

Beliefs

Since the lord of this temple is believed to have taught “Shiva Gnanam” to Lord Brahma, devotees worship the lord here to gain knowledge and wisdom.

Special Features

The uniqueness of the procession idol of Lord Singaravelar (Murugan) is that he holds a bow and arrow in his hands, wears a “Rudraksha” garland and also wears footwear. Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen here with his six disciples – “Sanakaatha” rishis. All the stone sculptures in this temple are exquisitely carved. The idol of Sri Pitchana Bairavar is especially beautiful. Usually Lord Vinayakar is depicted with a pot belly. However, in this temple he is seen with a flat belly. He is worshipped as “Sri Pranava Vinayakar”.It is said that Pambatti Siddhar, one of the revered 18 Siddhars, lived in this place.

Festivals

Maha Shivarathri, Masi Makam, Thiru Karthikai, Arudra Dharisanam, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Navarathri, Panguni-Aswini, Panguni Uthiram, Chithirai Utsavam, Purattasi Utsavam, Navarathri, Adi Pooram, Skandha Shashti, and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai are the festivals celebrated in the temple.