31. SRI PRANAVA VIYAKRAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE AT OMAMPULIUR

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	85th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	31th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

Sage Vyakyapathar (Pulikkal Munivar – tiger legged rishi) worshipped Lord Shiva in five places – Perumpatra Puliyur, Omampuliyur, Perum Puliyur, Erukkatham Puliyur and Thiruppathiri Puliyur. It is believed that he worshiped Lord Shiva here to seek the dance darshan of Thillai Natarajar as seen in Chidambaram. Hence, the lord here is praised as “Sri Vyagyapureeswarar” and this place gets the name “Puliyur”. 

As Lord Dakshinamoorthy explained the meaning of Pranavam “Om” to Goddess Uma Devi (Parvathy), this place gets the name “Om amam Puliyur”. Later this name was changed to Omampuliyur.

Another reason for the name Omampuliyur is that in ancient times, a lot of yagnas (“Homam”) were conducted in this place and the smoke from these yagnas would engulf this village. In his hymn, Saint Thirunavukkarasar also mentions about the large number of yagnas performed and the smoke in this place. 

This ancient temple is situated on the northern bank of the river Kollidam. There are six stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Chola King Kulothungan-III and Pallava King Kopperunsinga Devar.

Goddess Parvathy:

Goddess Parvathy requested Lord Shiva to explain to her the meaning of “Pranava Mantra – OM”. When Lord Shiva was explaining it to her, she lost interest in it. Lord Shiva was angered by this and he punished her to be born on earth as a human. Goddess Parvathy stayed in this place “Omam puliur” and performed penance here under this temple’s Sthala Viruksham, “Ilanthai tree”. It is believed that Lord Shiva as Dakshinamurthy (Guru) blessed her with his darshan and completed the teaching of Pranava Mantra.

Hence the lord here is praised as “Sri Pranavapureeswarar”. It is believed that Lord Murugan, in the form of a beetle (“vandu”), overheard the teachings without his parents knowing about it. Lord Murugan is believed to have recited this “Mantra” to his father in Swamimalai at a later date.

Lord Guru is a Swayambu Moorthy:

Lord Guru is a Swayambu Moorthy in this temple. The sanctum of Guru Dakshinamurthy is placed in in the main hall (Maha Mandapam) in between the sanctums of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. This place is considered to be one of the Guru Sthalams. Abhishekam is performed here first to Dakshinamoorthy and then to Lord Shiva.

Lord Dakshinamurthy:

The places of Lord Dakshinamurthy and Natarajar are interchanged in this temple. As in other Shiva temples, here also there is a shrine for Dakshinamurthy in the khostam. Hence, there are two Dakshinamurthy in this temple which is considered to be very auspicious.

King Sadanandan:

A king called Sadanandan, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, visited this place, took a dip in the temple’s tank and worshiped the lord. It is believed that he was then cured of his leprosy.

Pancha Puliyur:

There are beautiful sculptures that depict Sage Vyakrapathar worshiping the lord in five different Shiva temples. The names of all the five places are affixed with “Puliyur” and they are together known as “Pancha Puliyur”. These places are –

Perum Patra Puliyur (Chidambaram),

Perum Puliyur,

Omampuliyur (this place),

Thiruppathiri Puliyur (Cuddalore), and

Thiru Erukkatham Puliyur.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This is a famous Guru Parihara Sthalam.
·        This is a Parihara Sthalam for Revathi Nakshathiram (star).
·        In place of the main tower, there is a beautiful arch with sculptures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.
·        This east facing temple with main tower has 3-tiers.
·        There is no flag post (dwajasthambam) here.
·        The idol of Natarajar is placed in the khostam. It is believed that this is the Natarajar that gave darshan to Sage Viyakrapathar.
·        There is no Navagraham in this temple.
·        Another sculpture in the sanctum depicts Lord Mahavishnu receiving the “Chakrayudam” from Lord Shiva to destroy the demon Salandharan.
·        The Sthala Viruksham of this temple (Ilanthai tree) can be seen in the corridor. There is an idol of Goddess Parvathy underneath it. This idol shows the goddess in a meditative posture.
·        There is a small Shiva Temple called Vadathali (Sri Vadathaleeswarar with Sri Nagavalli) on the banks of the Gowri Theertham, which is just opposite to this temple.
·        Saints Thirugnanasambanthar and Appar have referred to this place as “Omamam Puliyur” and “Omampuliyur” respectively. “Vadathali temple” also finds a mention in both their hymns.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Pranava Viyakrapureeswarar, Sri Thuyartheertha Nathar
Ambal	Sri Poonkodi Nayaki, Sri Pushpalathambigai,
Theertham	Gowri Thertham, river Kollidam
Sthala Vriksham	Elandhai tree

BELIEF:

This is a Parihara Sthalam for those who born during the periods of Revathi Nakshathiram. Devotees whose birth star is Revathi can visit this temple for performing special poojas.

This is also a famous “Guru Parihara Sthalam”. Special poojas are conducted on Jupitar (Guru) transition days.

Also, parents bring their children here to worship the lord and seek his blessings for a bright academic future for their children.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maasi Maham

HOW TO REACH:

Omampuliyur is situated at a distance of about 31 kms from Chidambaram on the Chidambaram to Kattumannarkoil route. From Kattumannar koil, this place is about 8 kms away and from Kaanattam Puliur it is about 6 kms away.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Pranava Vyakrapureeswarar Temple,
Omampuliyur,
Kattumannar Koil,
Cuddalore,
Tamil Nadu – 608 306.

LOCATION: