Engan Subramanyaswamy (Brahmapureeswarar Temple) Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Engan Subramanyaswamy (Brahmapureeswarar Temple) Temple, Engan, Thiruvarur district – 612 603. Phone: +91 – 4366 – 278 531 / 278 014 Mobile: +91 – 94884 15137

Diety

Subramanyaswamy

Introduction

Engan Murugan Temple is dedicated to the god Muruga situated in the village of Engan in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The temple was built during the rule of Kulothunga II. Though a Shiva temple, Lord Muruga enjoys greater importance here. Presiding deity graces in the name of Lord Brahmapureeswarar and Mother is called as Peria Nayaki Amman. The place is also known as Sameevanam. This place has been glorified in Thiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built during the rule of Kulothunga II. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. Sage Arunagiri has sung the glory of the place in his Thirupugazh hymns. The three Muruga idols at Enkan, Sikkal and Ettukudi temples were created by the same sculptor. Lord Murugan taught the meaning of Pranava to Brahmma here: Lord Muruga demanded Lord Brahmma to explain the meaning of Pranava Mantra. He could not. Lord Muruga put Brahmma in prison and took up the creation job too. Though Brahmma was released later, he could not get back his assignment. Brahmma began worshipping Lord Shiva with his eight eyes. When Lord Shiva asked Muruga to leave the job to Brahmma, Muruga politely refused saying that he was not qualified for the job as he did not know the meaning of Pranava. Lord Shiva advised Muruga to teach the Mantra to Brahmma and reinstate him in his place. Lord Muruga obeyed his Father and taught Pranava to Brahmma. As Brahmma worshipped Lord Shiva with his eight eyes (En Kan), the place also came to be known as Brahmmapuram. So goes the Sthala Purana – story of the land.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for restoration from impaired vision. They also undertake fasting on Tuesdays for good health free from any ailment and on Kruthika star days for prosperity. Those facing adverse aspects of planet Jupiter light ghee lamps on Thursdays and are blessed with wisdom, education and prosperity. Devotees also pray for happy wed lock, child boon, job opportunities, trade developments and promotion in jobs. Lord Muruga takes all care of his devotees. Devotees perform abishek to Lord Muruga with milk, curd, honey, rosewater, sandal, turmeric, oil, scented powders, Panchamritham made of five ingredients etc. They carry Kavadi, offer hair by tonsuring, sheep and cocks and their farm yields. They offer vastras to Lord Brahmapureeswarar and Mother Periyanayagi. Arrange feeding, distribution of Prasad to visiting devotees and offer what they could for the maintenance and renovation projects of the temple. The one wonder of the temple is that those suffering from impaired vision are blessed with bright eye sight if they perform Shanmugarchana to Lord Muruga continuously for 12 months on each Vaishaka star days.

Special Features

Engan Temple is a large temple with a beautiful 3 tier Rajagopuram on the eastern side. There is a smaller 2 tier gopuram on the southern side for Lord Muruga. The temple was built during the rule of Kulothunga II. Though a Shiva temple, Lord Muruga enjoys greater importance here. Presiding deity graces in the name of Lord Brahmapureeswarar and Mother is called as Peria Nayaki Amman. Lord Vinayaka is known as Nardana Vinayaka. In the month of Panguni (March-April), the rays of Sun fall on Lord Brahma Pureeswarar for three days. It is noteworthy that the idols of Lord Muruga in Sikkal, Ettukudi and Enkan temples were sculpted by the same artist showing the Lord on his peacock vehicle. The idols are made with rare sculptural skill that the whole weight of the idol rests on a single leg of the peacock. Subramanyar is located in a separate shrine and is facing south. So in this temple Lord Subramanya is facing south side and resembles Lord Dakshina moorthy, so he is known as Gyana karakan, looks like Natarajar and the hall is known as Sabha mandapam. He is like kala Samhara moorthy so he is considered as Arul karakan. The shrine of Lord Muruga is called Sabha as he has the attributes of Lord Shiva and facing south. The Sabha is a hall where Lord Nataraja performed his dance, an importance related to Chidambaram temple. Also, Lord Muruga’s facing south has two philosophies. Lord Dakshinamurthy is a south facing God granting wisdom to devotees. Yama the God of Death belongs to the South. Lord Muruga protects his devotees from fear of death ensuring longevity. Many had experienced these effects praying to the Lord. Lord Muruga graces from his shrine sitting on the peacock vehicle with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Of the six faces of the Lord, three are in front and three behind. The Lord holds Vel his special weapon, arrow, sword, discus, pasam the rope, trident, bow, armour, cock flag angusam etc. in his 12 hands. The gap between the fingers are clearly visible, a sculptural marvel. The other wonder is that the entire weight of the idol firmly stands on a single leg of the peacock. The Utsava moorthy of Murugan is an exquisite replica of the main idol and is a treat to watch at close quarters for the sheer brilliance of the sculpting. The sculptural work is something marvelous with no parallel anywhere in the world. Minute details such as nails and veins are intricately carved. The peacock is holding a snake in its mouth and the snake is curving with a hole. The sanctum of Brahmapureeswarar is east facing and Sanctum of Peria Nayaki Amman is south facing. There are also shrines to Dakshinamurthy, Natarajar Sivakami, Kasi Viswanathar, Bhairavar, Arunachaleswarar, Vinayaka, Saneeswara, Navagraha, Anjaneya and Aadhi Narayana Perumal. This temple also has the Samadhi of the sculptor who merged with his beloved lord at this place. An interesting thing about this temple is a staircase through which one can climb right to the terrace and have a closer look at the gopuram. The Theerthams here are Netra Pushkarini, Saravana Poikai, Vriddha Kaveri, Brahmma Theertham and Kumara Theertham. Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) is Vanni Tree (Proposis cineraria).

Festivals

14 day Thai Poosam-Brahmmotsavam in January-February is grandly celebrated in the temple. Other festivals are monthly Kruthika star days, 8 day Skanda Sashti in Aipasi (October-November), Karthikai in November-December, Masi Karthikai (February-March), Maasi Magam, Vaikasi Visakam, Karthikai Deepam Utsavam, Arudra Dharisanam, Aadi Pooram, Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year Days.