76. SRI VARDHAMANESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUPUGALUR VARDHAMANECHARAM

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	193rd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	76nd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

When the demons were terrorising the devas and the sages, they sought asylum in this place. Hence, this place gets the name “Pukalur” (“pukal” means asylum and “oor” means village in Tamil).

It is interesting to note that this temple (Thiru Pukalur Vardhamanecharam) is situated inside Thiru Pukalur temple’s complex. Thiru Pukalur itself is another Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam where the main deity is Lord Agneeswarar.

This temple’s main deity is Sri Vardhamaneswarar’s and the lord’s shrine is located adjacent to the sanctum of Lord Agneeswarar. The historical names of this place are Punnagavanam, Saranyapuram and Rakthaaranyam.

The Moovars (three saints) have rendered a total of 9 pathigams here. Out of this, 8 are about Thiru Pukalur and the remaining one is about this temple. The pathigam about this temple was rendered by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar.

Muruga Nayanar:

This is the birthplace of Muruga Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. He served in this temple by offering flowers thrice every day. In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar praises Muruga Nayanar’s service to the lord. It is believed that Muruga Nayanar attained salvation at Nallur Perumanam (Aachalpuram) during Saint Thirugnanasambanthar’s wedding.

People who worshipped here:

Lord Agni, Sage Bharadwaj, king Nalan, all the 18 Siddhars, Saints Thirugnanasambanthar, Appar and Sundarar have worshiped Lord Shiva here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) attained salvation (“Mukthi”) and sang his last pathigam here.

·        This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.

·        This is the birthplace of Saint Muruga Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.

·        This temple has main tower (Rajagopuram) 5-tiers.

·        Visiting this temple is considered auspicious for those born under the influence of “Sadhayam” nakshatram (star).

·        There are three Shivalingams here - Lord Bhoodeshwarar, Lord Vardamaneeswarar and Lord Bhavishyeswarar. These three lingams are believed to symbolise the past, present and the future. Lord Vardamaneswarar is also known as “Nikazhkaala Nathar” in Tamil (“Nikazhkaalam” means present times).

·        This temple’s holy tank (Agni Theertham) adorns the temple like a garland (“Akazhi” in Tamil).

·        There are three beautiful reliefs on a wall in the corridor that depict the following scenes - Lord Agri worshiping Lord Shiva, Saint Appar’s last worship of the lord, and some kings and queens worshiping the lord.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Vardhamaneswarar, Sri Nikazhkaala Nathar
Ambal	Sri Manonmani Ammai
Theertham	Agni Theertham, Bana Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Punnagam (Punnai) Tree

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that by worshiping Lord Nikazhkaala Nathar here, they will be blessed with wealth, health, wisdom, prosperity and happiness.

Devotees also believe that by worshiping the lord here, they will be absolved from the sins that their forefathers or ancestors had accrued (“Pithru dosha”).

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Muruga Nayanar Guru Puja
Aani	June-July	Aani Thirumanjanam
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Somavaram
Markazhi	Dec-Jan
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Thiru Pukalur is situated at a distance of about 7 kms west of Sannanallur junction on the Thiruvarur to Peralm route. 

It is about 33 kms away from Mayiladuthurai, 20 kms away from Karaikkal, 20 kms away from Thiruvarur and 10 kms away from Nannilam.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Vardhamaneswarar Temple,
Thirupugalur Vardhamanecharam,
Thiru Kannapuram Via,
Thirumarugal,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609704.

LOCATION: