Thirupampuram Sri Paampuranathar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Thirupampuram Sri Paampuranathar Temple, Thirupampuram, Suraikkayoor Post – 612 203, Kudavasal Circle, Thiruvarur District. Phone Number: 0435-2469555, PH:9443943665

Diety

Sheshapureeswarar, Bambureeswarar, Bambisheer, Paampuranathar(Shiva) Amman: Pramarambikai(parvathi)

Introduction

Paampuranathar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Thirupampuram Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. This place is also called as Thirupampuram, Pambura Nannagar, Pamburam, Seshapuri, Uragapuram and Uyyakondar Vallanadu Thirupampuram. Presiding Deity is called as Seshapureeswarar and Pambureswarar. Mother is called as Pramarambikai and Vanduser Kuzhali. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni Tree and Theertham is Adisesha Theertham.This temple is the single equivalent of Srikalahasthi, Kumbakonam, Thirunageswaram, Nagore and Kizhapperumballam combined. Rahu and Kethu are present here as a single physical entity. This is Rahu Kethu Temple in Tamilnadu. This temple pooja is the best remedy for Kala Sarpa Dosha, Sarpa Dosha and Rahu Dosha. In order to get relieved from Naga Dosham & people who do not have children come here and offer prayers to the lord.This is the 176th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 59th Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.Tirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. In 2002 May 26 a snake skin was found (8.3 feet) like a Maalai in Lord Shiva shrine. Another snake skin (7.5 feet) is there in Ambal Shrine. The temple is under the administration of The Hindu Religious and CharitableEndowments Department, Government of Tamilnadu.

Puranic Significance

Ashtama Nagas got relief from Lord Shiva curse here: When Lord Vinayaka offered his pranams to his father Lord Shiva, the snake around Shiva’s neck grew proud that Vinayaka was worshipping him too. Angry Shiva cursed the whole snake community that it should lose its power – viz. their poison power. All the Ashtama serpents – eight great serpents – appealed to Lord Shiva that it was not fair on his part to curse the whole community for the wrong committed by a single one and they also sought pardon for the snake that grew proud. Lord Shiva told them that the Ashtama Nagas, Aanandhan,Vasuki, Dakshakan, Karkodakan, Sangabalan, Kuligan, Padman and Mahapadman and others headed by the divine snake Adhishesha may come to Tiruppamburam on Maha Shivarathri day when they will be pardoned and relieved of the curse. All serpents came to the earth and did penance and in a single night (4 jamas) it worshipped Shiva in four places. All serpents worshipped Lord Shiva at Nageswarar temple in the morning, Thirunageswaram in the afternoon, Thirupampuram in the evening and Naganathar at Nagore in the night to be absolved of the effect of the curse. Thirupampuram is the place where Nagaraja worshipped in 3rd Jamam. Due to unavailability of flowers that time, he tied agathi poo (sesbania grandiflora) flowers in alavizhudhu (banyan tree stems) and finished pooja. So, as a rarity in this village, Agathi won’t flower and alamvizhudhu won’t touch the earth (It is very usual that alamvizhudhu will touch earth and the stem itself will turn to roots). By this worship method, Serpents regained their lost power. All serpents are believed to follow the same worship method every Mahasivarathri. There is a belief that following the same routine to worship at these four temples is of special importance. Hence, it is believed that people who had lost anything valuable in their life will get it back by praying to Lord Shiva here. Chandran absolved his curse of having illicit relationship with Vanathara: Vanathara, the wife of Brihaspathi, in his absence, begot Budhan in an illicit relationship with Chandran. Learning of this, Brihaspathi cursed Chandran to fall ill with tuberculosis. Indiran, the other Devas and Chandran requested the rishis to suggest ways of absolving this curse. The rishis advised Chandran to worship Pampuranathar and Chandran did so with a thousand flowers daily for twelve years. He was absolved of his disease at noon on Thai Poornima Day. Agasthya got his speech back here: Once, in Kailayam, the Sage Agasthya countered the argument of Devas and other Rishis who claimed that Sanskrit was unequalled, by saying that Tamizh was a great as Sanskrit. Lords Shiva and Vishnu agreed on this, albeit silently. But, the Devas and rishis, cursed Agasthya to become dumb for disrupting their say. On his prayer to Lord Shiva, he was directed to visit Thirupampuram and worship there for one year for restoration of his speech. Agasthya did so and Lord Shiva appeared before him in the first segment of Mahasivarathri and cured him. He was also directed to leave for Podhigai hill and help Tamizh grow. Agni relieved of his curse for attending Daksha’s Yagna: During the Yagna by Daksha, Lord Shiva was ignored for distribution of alms, while all other Devas were given theirs. Getting angry at this, the Lord in the form of Veerabhadra, cut off Agni’s hand and kicked him down. Realizing his mistake, Agni prayed to the Lord and he directed Agni to pray to him at Thirupampuram. Agni worshipped at Thirupampuram for three years and got relieved from the curse

Beliefs

Some people may be under Kalasarpa Dosha horoscopes that are the serpent planets Rahu and Ketu shall be at two ends between which other planets would be caught. In some cases, the entire period of 18 years Rahu main period will run. There are also cases where Rahu or Ketu would be occupying the second house in the horoscopes. In some cases they will be in the eighth house from the Lagna or ascendant house and running through the Rahu or Ketu sub-period under any main period. There are also horoscopes with Kalathra Dosha (that will affect the longevity of the spouse) combined with problems in marriage and snakes appearing in dreams. Some would have killed a snake intentionally or unintentionally. Some may be facing deb burdens. Those facing any or such problems in life due to the placement of the snake planets and/or under their main ruling or sub-ruling time, have to come to this temple seeking relief through prescribed prayer procedures. Devotees perform abishek and archanas and offer vastras to Lord. Those worshipping Lord and Mother together as one entity-Shiva Shakti-in this temple are assured of all benefits and peace in life.

Special Features

The majestic East facing temple has three storied Raja Gopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Seshapureeswarar / Pambeesar / Pampuranathar / Pambureeswarar / Sarpeswarar / Naganathar. Mother is called as Vandaar Poonkuzhali / Bramarambal / Bramaramigai / Vanduserkuzhali / Maamalayatti. The lingam is a small and beautiful. Aadhi Sesha Theertham is the sacred tank of the temple is found just opposite to the temple tower. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. Planets Rahu and Ketu unlike separately in other temples, they are here in a single body having Lord in their mind. Those who worship Raghu-Kethu, the Lord and the Goddess of this holy place are expiated from their sins. Their wishes are also fulfilled. Raghu and Kethu who are responsible for this greatness have their shrine located in the North-East corner. Thirupampuram has the combined power of the other five holy places namely, Kudanthai, Thirunageswaram, Nagore, Keezha Perum Pallam and Kalahasth. This is the place where the Panchalingam represents the five faces of the Lord. Since Rahu and Kethu assumed and lived in a single body and worshiped Lord Shiva, this holy place is known as Raghu-Kethu Sthalam. Vinayaga is seated at the base of the flag staff facing east and blesses all. The Altar and the Nandhi are seen along with the flag staff (the flag staff is ruined). The temple has the regular features – Sanctum, Artha mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. In the Southern courtyard (prakaram) the deity of Thirumalai Easwaran is found.

Festivals

Masimakam – Tirthavari – Panchamurthy worship, Rahu-Ketu is specially titled, Four-day special poojas on the night of Masivaratri. Main festivals are Maasi Magam and Arudra Darisanam. Aadisesha, the mount of Lord Vishnu, worshipped shiva here on the Night of Maha Shivaratri and then he commenced his worship at Kudandai Keezhkottam, and then proceeded through Thirunageswaram, Tiruppaampuram and Nagur. This event is celebrated on Maha Shivaratri nights.