Ambal Sri Ambal Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Sri Brahmapureesar Temple,Sirkazhi,Nagapattinam District,PIN 609110 PH:04364-270235,04366-238973

Deity

Brahmapureesar Amman: Perianayagi

Introduction

Ambal Brahmapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Ambal in Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Now the place is known as Koilpatthu. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Brahmapureeswarar. His consort is known as Poonkuzhalammai. The historical name of the place is Punnakavanam. Shiva is worshipped as Brahmapureeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Poonguzhalammai. Ampal Brahmapureeswarar 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, the 275 temples revered in the canon. The temple is believed to be the last among the sixty maadakoil built by Kochengat Chola. Thala Virutcham : Punnai (Mast Wood Tree) Theertham : Brahma Thirtham, Indra Thirtham, Annamaam Poykai, Choola Thirtham

Puranic Significance

Birth of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
- Born in the 7th century to Sivapada Hrudayar and Bhagavathiar.
- At age three, he was fed wisdom milk (Gnanappaal) by Goddess Parvathi at the temple.
- His first hymn, “Thodudaya Seviyan,” was composed after this divine experience.
Lord Brahma’s Redemption
- Brahma, cursed into a swan form, was absolved of his curse at this temple.
- The annual festival commemorating this event is celebrated on Maasi Maham.
Annihilation of Ampara & Aampara
- Two powerful beings, Ampara and Aampara, troubled the world.
- Goddess Kali killed them at Ampakarathur and later worshipped Lord Shiva at Thirumaakaalam for absolution.
Extermination of Demon Samkaaraseelan
- The demon Samkaaraseelan terrorized the devas.
- Lord Shiva sent Kaala Bhairava to eliminate him and protect the devas.
Benediction of Vimalan
- A Brahmin named Vimalan worshipped at this temple for years.
- Lord Shiva brought the Ganges from Kasi for him and granted boons.
Manmatha’s Curse Removal
- Sage Viswamithra cursed Manmatha’s arrows to become powerless.
- Manmatha worshipped at this temple and was relieved of his curse.
King Nandkoopan’s Redemption
- King Nandkoopan mistakenly shot a sage thinking he was a tiger.
- To absolve his Brahmahatthi sin, he worshipped Lord Shiva here and consecrated the temple.
Kochengat Chola Nayanar’s Connection
- In his past life, he worshipped Jambukeswarar as a spider in Tiruvanaikka.
- Reborn as King Kochengat Chola, he built 70 small temples that elephants couldn’t climb.
- This temple was built by him and also houses a Jambukeswarar sanctum.

Beliefs

To fulfill their desires, people pray to the Goddess of this temple.

Special Features

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 SomaskandaThe three inscriptions in this temple belong to the periods of King Raja Raja Cholan and King Kulothungan III. Here Brahmapureeswarar reveals as a self-manifested deity.