Semponarkoil Sri Swarnapureesar Temple, Nagapattinam

Diety: Swarnapureesar Amman: Maruvarkuzhali/ Suguntha Kundalambikai
Temple Address: Semponarkoil Sri Swarnapureesar Temple, Semponarkoil l Post,Tharangambadi Taluk,Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 309.Tele: +91-99437 97974. PH:04364-280757
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Semponarkoil Swarnapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Semponnarkoil in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. This place is also called as Tiruchemponpalli. The historical name of the place is Lakshmipuri and Indirapuri.The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Swarnapureeswarar. His consort is known as Suguntha Kundalambikai. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar.This is the 159th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 42nd sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Swarnapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Semponarkoil near Mayiladuthurai on the road to Tharangampadi. This is located 10 kms east of Mayiladuthurai. This is one of the Maada temple constructed by Ko Chenkat Chozhan. Thala Virutcham : Vanni, Vilwam Theertham : Surya Theertham

Puranic Significance

Lakshmipuri: It is noteworthy that Sri Mahalakshmi performed penance on Lord Shiva of this temple to have the hands of Vishnu as her Lord. Hence, the place has the name Lakshmipuri. Indirapuri: It is also called Indirapuri as Indira worshipped Lord Shiva here to get the weapon Vajrayudha to kill demon Vruddhasura. Kandapuri: The third name of the place is Kandapuri as Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva to destroy demon Tarakasura. Murugan in the form of Shiva advised Parvathi: A story goes that when Lord Shiva refused to receive Mother Parvathi back after visiting her father’s Yajna against his advice, Lord Muruga came to the Mother in the form of Shiva and imparted good advices in this place. Based on this story, Lord Muruga appears in the temple with an Akshamala. Shiva appeared in this place only as Veerabadra. Different Names of Mother: Mother Sugantha Kundalambika is praised by many names – Pushpalaki, Dhakshayani, Suganthalaki, Suganthavana Nayaki and Maruvar Kuzhali. Shiva naming Parvathi as Sugantha Kundalambikai: Daksha, son of Brahmma gave his daughter Dhakshayani to Lord Shiva in marriage. Yet he intentionally failed to invite Lord Shiva for a yajna he performed. Mother Dhakshayani wanted to correct her father by visiting the yajna. But clouded by arrogance and pride, Daksha humiliated his own daughter and her Lord. Furious Dhakshayani cursed her father that his yajna would not go on. She also begged her Lord to destroy the yajna. Lord Shiva created Veerabadra, Badrakali and others to destroy the yajna along with Daksha. Dhakshayani to wash off her sin as the daughter of a Shiva opponent performed penance heresitting around five types Agni-fire. Lord, pleased with her penance named her Sugantha Kundalambikai and took her to bless devotees along with him in the temple. People worshipped Shiva here: Agasthiar, Brahmma, Vasishta, Naga Kanyas, Ashtadikbalakas, Gubera worshipped in this place. Rathi worshipped Lord Shiva here to get back her husband Manmatha. LordVishnu too had worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Beliefs

The devotee is at liberty to appeal to Lord for any boon he/she needs. Those practicing Yoga pray here. It depends on the devotees’ limitations. Generally devotees offer vastras. Every boon is available to the devotee. Lord Swarnapureeswarar offers anything that is asked for. Those desirous of commencing Dhyana exercise begin it from this temple. What a devotee can afford to offer, Lord accepts it. Devotees offer in particular clothing to the Lord and his Consort.

Special Features

This temple is a Maadakkovil built at an elevation. The roofing is made of Sempon and so the place is known as Semponarkoil. The rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity for 12 days in Chithirai (April-May)in the morning hours when special pujas are performed in the temple. On the ninth day a car festival is celebrated called Soura Mahotsavam. Shivalinga in the temple is on a 16 petal lotus designed Avudaiyar – the peeta. Theertham is called as Surya Pushkarani and Sthala Vriksham is Vanni Tree.Urchavars of this temple are Somaskandhar, Natarajar and Chandrasekar. Idol of Pitchadanar is very old. Sudhai Sirpams of King worshiping Lord Shiva and his both sides monk and minister. Ambal is in a separate Sannadhi with Sabtha Kanniyars. Idols of Vanadurgai, Viswanathar, Srinivasaperumal, and Sibi Kaatchinathar with maan and mazhu, Balasubramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Jeshtadevi, Veerabadhrar, Suryan and Bairavar can be seen. In Koshtam, Indira Ganapathy, Dhakshinamoorthy, Arthanareeswarar, and Durgai can be seen. There is no Kodimaram and Rajagopuram.

Festivals

The rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity for 12 days in Chithirai (April-May) in the morning hours when special pujas are performed in the temple. On the ninth day a car festival is celebrated called Soura Mahotsav.