Thirupugalur Agnipureeswarar Temple also called Thirupugalur temple is in Thirupugalur village in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu State, the diety is Swaymbhu and is made of sand. Presiding Deity is Lord Shiva worshipped as Agnipureeswarar and he is also called Agneeswarar, Konappiraan, Saranyapureeswarar, Punnagavana Nathar and Pratyaksha Varadar, and Goddes Parvathi are called Karundhar Kuzhali or Soolikambal. Vinayaka Swamy is praised as Lord Gnana Vinayaka.
The exact history of the temple could not be determined based on the evidence from the inscriptions, but the temple is believed to have been built during the Chola period in the 10th and 11th centuries.
This temple is considered as the 192nd Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 75th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Considered one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams where the Moovar (the three Nayanmars, Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams. Nayanmar Appar attained Mukthi and sang his last Padhigam here. Vardhamaneswar Shrine located inside the temple is considered as Paadal Petra Sthalam as it is praised in the verses of Devaram by Sambandar. Considered as Vastu Parihara Sthalam.
A wide and deep water body that allows crocodiles to enter specially built around castles and palaces to prevent access to enemies has been excavated by Banasura which still exists here.
This temple is famous for the Vasthu prayer. This is the place where Lord Shiva turned bricks into gold for the Nayanar Sundarar. So people bring the bricks to the temple, perform Archana, and bring them back for construction work. Pregnant women worship Soolikambal (Parvati) for safe childbirth. Oil prasad is offered for safe delivery. Devotees worship Lord Agneeswarar for peace of mind. They are blessed with the boons of marriage, children, employment opportunities, advancement in business, promotions, and well-being.
Thirupugalur Agnipureeswarar Temple is also the place where Agni Bhagwan worshiped Lord Shiva and was freed from a curse. Hence this temple is also known as Agni Theertham. Agni Deva appears here with two faces, 7 hands, 7 jwala sparks, four horns and 3 feet. It is a rare idol of Agni Bhagwan.
Sri Agnipureeswarar Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 am to 12.00 pm
Evening: 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Agni Theertham Temple Pujas:
Kalasanthi at 8:00 AM
Uchikalam at 12:00 Noon
Sayarakshai at 6:00 PM
Each ritual consists of four stages: Abhisheka (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), Naivethanam (food offering) and Deepa Aradanai (waving lamps) for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi Devi. Unlike other temples of Shiva, the anointing of oil is not performed in the temple because the Swaymbhu Linga is made of sand.
Thirupugalur Agnipureeswarar Temple History:
According to Hindu legend and the Sthalapurana, Lord Shiva was worshiped by Agni, the god of fire there and the presiding deity was known as Agnipureeswarar and the temple tank is called Agni Theertham.
According to another legend, Bhudevi, the wife of Sri Vishnu, wanted to install a Linga and worship Lord Shiva. Banasura, his son, to facilitate his mother’s Shiva puja, brought many Swayambu Lingas. Once he came to Tirupugalur and found countless lingas. He found a Swayambulinga but was unable to move it. He dug the Linga but was unable to lift it. It is believed that the lingam at the site is tilted (called Konapiran) because of it.
Banasura decided to end the frustration. A voice from heaven said to Banasura: “I will make myself present for your mother’s Shiva puja. Lord in the name of Konapiran with Punnai flowers on his head, appeared before his mother. After the puja Lord returned back to Tirupugalur.
Thirupugalur Temple Festivals:
- 10-day Vaikasi Poornima Brahmotsavam in Tamil month Vaikasi (May-June)
- 10-day “Appar Baktha Utsav” in Tamil month Chithirai (Apr-May) beginning on Sadhaya Star day. This festival is celebrated every year.
- Aani Thirumanjanam in Tamil month Aani (June-July),
- Aadi Pooram in Tamil month Aadi (July-Aug),
- Vinayakar Chaturthi in Tamil month Aavani (Aug-Sept),
- Navarathri in Tamil month Purattasi (Sept-Oct),
- Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in Tamil month Aippasi (Oct–Nov),
- Thiru Karthikai and Somavaram in Tamil month Karthikai (Nov-Dec),
- Thiruvadhirai in Tamil month Markazhi (Dec-Jan),
- Makara Sankranthi in Tamil month Thai (Jan-Feb),
- Shivratri in Tamil month Masi (Feb-Mar) and
- Panguni Uthiram in Tamil month Panguni (Mar-Apr).
- Pradosham, Pournami and Sankatahara Chaturthi
Konappiraan Temple Address:
Tirupugalur,
Thirumarugal Taluk,
Nagapattinam District,
Tamil Nadu – 609 704.
