Tirupugalur Sri Agnipureeswarar (Vardhamaaneswarar) Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Tirupugalur Sri Agnipureeswarar (Vardhamaaneswarar) Temple, Thirupugalur Via Thirukannapuram, Thirumarugal Taluk, Nagapattinam District Phone: +91 4366 237 198 / 23

Diety

Vardhamaaneswarar, Agnipureeswarar Amman: Karundar kuzhali

Introduction

Agnipureeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirupugalur Village near Thirukannapuram in Thirumarugal Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agnipureeswarar / Agneeswarar / Konappiraan / Saranyapureeswarar / Punnagavana Nathar / Pratyaksha Varadar and Mother is called as Karundhar Kuzhali / Soolikambal. This temple is considered as Vastu Parihara Sthalam.The presiding deity 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. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five-tiered Rajagopurams, the gateway tower. Thala Virutcham : Punnai Theertham : Agni theertham

Puranic Significance

Agnipureeswarar: As per legend, Agni, Varuna and Vayu had a heated argument about their greatness. Due to the heated argument,Agni got furious and disappeared completely. All the vedic rites, particularly the Yagna came to a standstill due to the absence of Agni. Agni came here and worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva in the form of Chandrasekara brought back Agni. Hence, Lord Shiva of this temple came to be called as Agnipureeswarar and the temple tank came to be called as Agni Theertham. This occasion is celebrated on the full moon day of Tamil month Vaikasi (May-June). In this temple. Also, the Sayarakshai Pooja takes place at this temple only after pooja for Agni. Agni with physical body: As per legend, Agni had no physical body, but Agni wished to have one. Hence, he sought the advice of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Both of them advised Agni to perform pooja to Lord Shiva at a place where Lord Shiva is seen with tilak. Agni found the form of Lord Shiva in this temple. He came here and performed prayers to Lord Shiva. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva blessed him with physical body. This is the only temple where Agni is having a physical structure. He is seen with two heads, 7 hands, 3 legs, 7 Jwala and with 4 Korai teeth. Mukthi Sthalam of Appar: As per legend, Appar (Tirunavukkarasar) is said to have spent his last years here. He used to serve Lord Shiva in various Shiva temples by cleaning the grounds and paths to enable devotees to walk comfortably. He did this work using a tool called Uzhavaram. Thus, the work done by Appar came to be called as Uzhavara Pani. He served the Lord Shiva here by doing Uzhavara Pani during his last days. Appar repeatedly prayed to Lord Shiva requesting for salvation. Lord Shiva wanted to test the devotion of Appar. Lord Shiva put some valuable gems at the place where Appar was cleaning. Appar did not show any regard for the precious gems and threw them out along with other wastes. Then, Lord Shiva sent few celestial nymphs to entice him. However, Appar didn’t show any interest towards them. Lord Shiva was astonished to see the devotion of Appar towards him. Appar attained salvation (Mukthi) at the age of 81 on a Chithirai Sadayam star day. To commemorate this event, a grand festival is celebrated every year on this day called Appar festival. Appar festival begins 10 days before Chithirai Sadayam Star day in April-May. The events includes his home coming from the Jains, the greatness of his Uzhavaram, dance of celestial nymphs and his merging with Lord Shiva. There is a separate shrine for Appar in this temple in memory of this episode.

Beliefs

Vasthu purity is an important basis for constructing buildings. This is a science that deals with the designing of the apartments in a particular direction – Kitchen, bathrooms, main hall, bedrooms etc. – at appropriate sides. This would avoid any invisible troubles entering then. This is a temple noted for Vasthu prayer. Before beginning theconstruction, people use to bring the bricks to the temple, perform archanas and take them back for the building work. Pregnant women worship Ambica for safe delivery. According to the Sthala Purana, Ambica Herself as a midwife took care of a woman in labour pain and ensured safety to both mother and child. A prasad oil is offered in the temple for the purpose. Devotees worship Lord Agneeswarar for mental peace. They are blessed with boons of wedding, child, job opportunity, progress in trade, promotions and welfare. Devotees offer Kalyana Malai-wedding garland and vastras to Lord and Ambica for the wedding boon. They also perform abishek with milk, cosmetic powders, turmeric, sacred ash, oil, milk etc. and dress Ambica with sandal paste. Devotees distribute the nivedhana to other devotees and contribute for temple renovation fund.

Special Features

The temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. The entrance to the inner prakaram is crowned with three tiered gopuram. The entire temple complex is surrounded by a moat (Agazhi in Tamil) and one segment of the Agazhi was reclaimed, to gain access to the temple. This moat like tank is called Bana Theertham / Agni Theertham. This temple complex covers an area of about 73,000 sq. feet and has two prakarams. The Temple is about 325 ft long and 225 ft wide. The entire temple complex is enclosed within the compound wall. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found in between the Rajagopuram and the inner gopuram. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Agnipureeswarar / Agneeswarar / Konappiraan / Saranyapureeswarar / Punnagavana Nathar / Pratyaksha Varadar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Lord Shiva graces in the temple as a Swayambumurthi. The Linga is in tilted position confirming thelegend related to Banasura. Vinayaga, Nataraja, Dakshinamoorthy,Agastya, Lingodbhava, Brahma, Durga, Bikshadana and Aalingana Kalyana Sundarar are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar can be seen in his usual location. Sculptures of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma can be seen on either sides of Lingodbhava in the koshta behind the sanctum. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of Hindu trinity (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in one place. This darshan is considered to be very auspicious. Relief of Queen Chembian Maadevi worshiping Lord Shiva can be seen in the outer sanctum wall. Processional Idols (Utsava Idols) of this temple are Agni, Chandrasekarar, Thirupuranthakar and Brahma. The festival image of Chandrasekarar occupies the position reserved for Somaskandar. Utsava Idol of Raamanadeechuram is kept here for safety reasons. Mother is called as Karundhar Kuzhali / Soolikambal. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. She is depicted in standing posture. Her shrine is situated immediately after the Rajagopuram. There is a separate shrine for Lord Agni in the Maha Mandapam. Generally, he has no form but in this temple, he appears with two faces, 7 hands, 7 Jwala sparks, four horns and 3 feet. This is a rare Agni Bhagwan idol.

Festivals

10 day Vaikasi Poornima Brahmmotsavam in May-June with an event of Lord granting darshan to Agni Bhagwan,; 10 day Appar Baktha Utsav in Chithirai beginning on Sadaya Star day in April-May; small festivals each month and on pradosha days of the month, Deepavali in October- November; Pongal-Makara Sankranthi falling almost on January 14 and Tamil and English New year days are the festivals celebrated in the temple.