Tirupperumpuliyur Sri Vyakrapureeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Tirupperumpuliyur Sri Vyakrapureeswarar Temple, Tirupperumpuliyur, Thillaisthaanam Post Via Tiruvaiyaaru, Thanjavur District PIN 613203 PH:9443447826

Diety

Vyakrapureeswarar, puliyurnathar Amman: Soundaryanayaki, Azhagammai

Introduction

Tirupperumpuliyur Vyakrapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Perumpuliyur in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Vyakrapureeswarar. His consort is known as Soundaryanayaki. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the northern banks of River Kaveri. Thala Virutcham : Sarakondrai Theertham : Cauvery

Puranic Significance

Sage Vyakrapada (sage with tiger legs) learnt the glory of Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram from his father Mathiyandan. He worshipped Lord Tirumoola Nathar in Chidambaram. He climbed the trees with his tiger legs and had eyes in his finger nails to check the purity of the flowers to use them for his Shiva Puja. He occupies a place in Nataraja shrine on one side. Sage Patanjali has his place on the other side. Vyakrapada worshipped Lord in five places, the names ending with the suffix Puliyur. They are Tirupathiri Puliyur, Perumpattra Puliyur (Chidambaram), Erukatham Puliyur, Omam Puliyur and Perum Puliyur. The sanctum sanctorum is designed with a four step lotus petal peeta. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga of this temple in his Tirupugazh hymns. The place covered with wild bushes was brought to the attention of the world by His Holiness Sundara Swamigal of Madurai. Lord Arthanareeswar is near the Lingodhbava shrine

Beliefs

Devotees buying new vehicles perform Alankara to Lord with garlands. It is believed that no accident would occur if they perform this prayer. Devotees offer pujas to Lord and Mother with Vastras and contribute for the renovations of the temple.

Special Features

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. The prakara is adored with shrines of Lords Siddhi Vinayaka, Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswar, Chandikeswara, Somaskanda, Nataraja, Bhairava, Mother Varahi and Navagrahas, Sun, Moon and Nandhi. Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. While traditionally the Navagrahas the nine planets are facing different directions in temples, they are facing Sun-Surya in this temple.