Agnipureeswarar Temple, Thirupugalur

Located in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai), this is the 62nd Shiva Sthalam and one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams on the southern bank of the Cauveri River. This Agnipureeswarar Temple Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthi or self-manifested. There is only one hallway in this east-facing temple, and Rajagopuram, the central tower, has two levels. “Dwajasthambam” is not a flag post at this temple. On August 21, 2002, the final consecration ritual, known as Maha Kumbabishekam, was held.

History of the Temple

Situated on the northern banks of the Arisilaru River, which is a tributary of the Cauvery River, lies this ancient temple.

This place was formerly known as Vanniyur, but it is currently called Anniyur.

Goddess Parvathy is said to have come here to carry out penance before getting married. Lord Shiva was pleased with her penance and granted her his darshan, allowing them to get married in Thiruveezhimizhalai (a neighboring area).

The tradition states that Agni took part in King Dakshan’s yagna. Dakshan had purposefully invited no Lord Shiva to this yagna. This affront infuriated Lord Shiva, who gave Veerabadrar and Badrakalai instructions to chastise those who attended without his permission. Agni suffered some curses during this process and lost his hands and tongues. Agni could not take part in any yagna because of these curses. As a result, the monsoon failed, and a severe drought ensued. Fearful of this, he came here, set up a Shivalingam, made a pond, and used the leaves of the Vanni tree to worship the Lord. It is thought that Lord Shiva granted him forgiveness, cleansed him of his transgressions, and replaced his missing body parts.

Agni prayed to Lord Shiva to remain in this location and bestow blessings upon the pilgrims who came seeking healing from the “ushnam” disease. As a result, this location is called “Vanni Oor” or “Agni Ooor,” and the lord is honored as “Sri Agreenswarar.” Later on, this name was altered to Vanniyur or Anniyur. Tamil’s word for village is “Oor.”

Here, the lord is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma, Agni, Sage Agasthiyar, Sanathkumarar, and Sanathanar.

Deities in the temple

In addition to the shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, the hall and hallway include idols and shrines devoted to Vinayakar, Balasubramaniyar, Shivalingams, Gajalakshmi, Chandikeswarar (2), Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Saneeswarar, and Nalvar.

It is possible to observe idols of Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai in the “koshtam,” or area encircling the sanctum sanctorum.

Several exquisite reliefs on the outside corridor illustrate the stories from Sthala Puranam. They are the ones who worship the lord and Rishabaruder: Saint Appar, Agni, Goddess Gauri Parvathy, Shivalingam, and Goddess Parvathy (in the guise of a cow).

There are little statues of “Dwarapalakas” on either side of the sanctum’s entrance.

Next to the shrine of Goddess Durgai, in the corridor, are the reliefs of a few sages.

The Sthala Viruksham Vanni tree at this temple is thought to be over 1600 years old.

Three key features of this temple are regarded as significant: the auspicious temple tank, the holiness of the land, and the glory of the Lord, or Moorthy, Sthalam, and Theertham.

It is thought that every year for three days (18, 19, and 20) in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept) and three days (18, 19, and 20) in Panguni (Mar-Apr), Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by focusing his beams on the lingam.

“Ashta Dik Palakars” are said to have worshipped at eight different Shiva temples. Of these, Vanniyur is one. It is said to be highly fortunate to worship these lords. These temples are what?

Indra – Nagambadi,

Agni – Vanniyur,

Yama – Karuvili,

Niruthi – Vayalur,

Varunan – Sivanakaram,

Vayu – Akalangan,

Kubera – S.Pudur, and

Esanan – Nallavur.

Greatness of this Temple & Significant festival

Devotees pray to Goddess Parvathy for the elimination of impediments in their marriage proposals since the goddess worshipped Lord Shiva here and later got married.

It is believed by devotees that adoring the lord and having a dip in the Agni Theertham at this temple will heal “ushnam” (high blood pressure).

Among the significant holidays observed at this temple are:

* In the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Vinayakar Chaturthi

* In the Tamil month of Aippasi (October – November), Annabishekam

* During the Tamil month of Karthikai (November–December), Thiru Karthikai

* In the Tamil month of Markazhi (December–January), Thiruvadhirai and

* In the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar), there is Shivrathri.

* Pradosham is also routinely noticed.

Agnipureeswarar Temple Timing

Temple hours are 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM and 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Sri Agnipureeswarar Temple Location

Agnipureeswarar Temple,

Vanniyur (Anniyur) Post, Kudavasal Taluk.

Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu – 612 201

Approximately 28 kilometers separate Vanniyur (Anniyur) from Mayiladuthurai along the Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur route. Travel 20 miles to Poonthottam first and then 8 km (via Thiruveezhimizhalai) to Vanniyur.

Along the Kumbakonam to Karaikkal route, it is roughly 28 km from Kumbakonam (Via S. Pudur-20 kilometers). Take the detour and go approximately 5 km from S. Pudur to this temple. To know more about temples in Tamilnadu visit the official site of Temples in Tamilnadu.