Friday Temple Visit Week # 86
30th September 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
Shri Vruddha Pureeswarar Temple,
Thirupunavasal, Pudukottai, Tamilnadu, India
Location:
The famous Vruddha Pureeswarar Temple located in village Thirupunavasal on the banks of River Pambar and is close to its confluence with the sea - the Bay of Bengal. It lies at a distance of about 30 Kms from Avudayar Kovil and 70 Kms from Pudukottai.
Uniqueness:
In terms of size, the Lingam of this temple is one the three largest Lingams within Tamilnadu, the other two being located at Thanjavur Big Temple and Gangaikonda Chozhapuram temple.
Some Interesting Statistics:
1.Gangaikonda Chozha Puram Temple
Built by Rajendra Chozhan (1025 CE)
Height of Lingam: 13.5 feet
Width of base on which the Lingam rests (Avudayar) : 60 feet
2. Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur
Built by RajaRaja Chozhan (1010 CE)
Height of Lingam: 12 feet
Width of base on which the Lingam rests (Avudayar) : 55 feet
3.Vruddha Pureeswarar Temple, Thirupunavasal, Pudukottai
Built by: Believed to be in existence through all the Four Yugas
Height of Lingam: 9 feet
Width of base on which the, Lingam rests (Avudayar) : 82.5 feet
Salient features:
The name of the presiding deity of the temple is Vruddha Pureeswarar / Pazham Perunathar / Maha Lingeswarar. Name of Devi Parvati is Bruhan Nayaki / Periya Nayaki. The Holy tree (Sthala Vruksham) of the temple is the Cactus (something very unusual). The Holy waters (Sthala Theertham) of the temple are ten in number, namely, River Pambar, Brahma, Surya, Chandra, Indra, Lakshmi, Varuna, Chakra, Kalyana and SivagangaTheerthams.
Name of the place:
As the place is at the point of entrance (called Punal in Tamil) of the River Pambar into the sea, the place has come to be known as Thiruppunavasal in Tamil. In Sanskrit the place is referred to as Vruddha Kasi in this Yuga - the Kali Yuga. Prior to this, the place was known as Vajravanam during the Krutha Yuga (the first Yuga), Indirapuram during Treta Yuga (the second Yuga) and Brahmapuram during Dwapara Yuga (the third Yuga).
History
As mentioned the temple is very ancient one and as suggested by the name, Vruddha Kasi, is believed to be older than the original Kasi (Varanasi / Benaras). However, the present structure was constructed by King Maravarman Sundara Pandyan (1216-1238 CE).
It is interesting to note that the temple has been constructed combining both the Chozha and Pandiya architectures. Usually in the Chozha temples the entrance (Dwara Gopuram) is short and the main Gopuram (Raja Gopuram) is very tall. It is the other way round in temples built by Pandiya a kings. Here both the Gopuram are tall measuring some 65 feet in height.
Legend
Lord Brahma who had lost his position as a Creator as he was not able to explain the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. Lord Muruga had put him behind the bars and Lord Shiva intervened and instructed his younger son to release Brahma. Devi Parvathi, who had also accompanied Lord Shiva, advised Brahma to install a Lingam at this temple. Brahma did so and the four-faced Lingam installed by him has come to be known as Chaturmukha Lingam and the pond (now lying just outside the temple) is called Brahma Theertham.
Legend has it that apart Brahma, Lakshmi and Maha Vishnu, along with Indra, Surya, Chandra, Yama, Airavatham, Vasishta and Agasthyar worshipped Shiva here. All of the 14 shrines in the Pandya Kingdom sung by the Nayanmars are said to manifest themselves here. Signifying this, there are 14 Shiva lingams in this temple.
Dressing of the Lingam
The Shiva Lingam of this temple requires 3 Muzham (a scale basis) while the Avudaiyar requires 30 Muzham cloth. Based on this fact, a proverb also come into usage “3 Muzham is for a round and 30 Muzham also for a round.” A Muzham is approximately 2.75 feet. Based on this measurement, Avudaiyar needs a dhoti of approximately 82.5 feet. Devotees place orders with the weavers for a 90 feet dhoti and offer it to the Lord.
Cactus as the Holy Tree
As mentioned earlier, the Sthala Vruksham of the temt is the Cactus, a plant neglected and rejected by many, has the pride of being a holy tree here, indicating the truth the Lord accepts even that which is not wanted, hated by others.
Other Deities
Apart from the main shrines of Lord Shiva and Devi there are shrines devoted for other deities. Interesting to note that there is a set of five idols of Lord Vinayaka called PanchaVinayaka in this temple.
There is no shrine for Lingothbhavar in this temple. Instead, we have the idols of Maha Vishnu and Anjaneya placed together.
Unusually there are two idols of Chandikeshwara in this temple.
The idol of Lord Dakshinamoorthy is also huge in size.
Along with the famous four saints, Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manikya Vasakar, Sekkizhar is also included in the shrine for Nalvar.
The Navagrahas are differently placed in this temple giving prominence to Moon God (Chandra) instead of the usual practice of Sun God (Surya).
There is a separate shrine for goddess Kali known as Kudaivarai Kali (aroopam) on the north east corner of the temple premises, which we can see only through a mirror. Since the Kali is in ugram the mottai gopuram door is also kept closed.
Literary Works
It is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam and Lord Shiva here was worshipped by Thirugnasambandar, Appar and Sundarar. Pathigams have been sung by the three on the Lord. The Sthala Puranam of this temple has been sung by Tiruvarur Thyagaraja Kavirayar. Arunagiri Nathar has composed Thiruppugazh hymns on Lord Muruga of this temple.
Contact
Sri Vruddhapureeswarar (Pazhampathinathar) Temple,
Thirupunavasal, Pudukottai
Phone: +91- 4371-239 212
Mobile: 99652 11768
Very good posting.