Sri Vardhamaneswarar Temple, Thirupugalur

This is the 193rd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 76th sthalam on the south side of the Kaveri River in Chozha Nadu. This temple is located in the Thirupugalur Sri Agnipureeswarar Temple. Moovar has sang songs to Lord Shiva at 44 temples. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal gained mukthi in this area. This Thirupugalur is also the starting point of Muruga Nayanar, one of 63 Nayanmars. This is the Sathayam Nakshatra Temple.

History of the Temple

It is important to note that this temple (Thiru Pukalur Vardhamanecharam) is located within the Thiru Pukalur temple complex. Thiru Pukalur is just like any other Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam, with Lord Agneeswarar as the primary deity.

Sri Vardhamaneswarar is the temple’s most significant god, and his shrine is located near to Lord Agneeswarar’s sanctum.

The historical names for this area are Punnagavanam, Saranyapuram, and Rakthaaranyam.
The Moovars (3 saints) have created a total of nine pathigams right here. Eight of these are about Thiru Pukalur, with the eighth one being about the temple’s completion.

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar assisted in the rendering of the pathigam surrounding this shrine.
It is said that after terrorising the devas and sages, the demons took refuge in this location.

Hence, this locality got the name “Pukalur” (“pukal” means asylum and “oor” means hamlet in Tamil). HR&CE and (Thiruppugalur) Velakurichi Adheenam are in charge of this temple’s administration.

Legend

This is the birthplace of Muruga Nayanar, one of the sixty-three Nayanmars. He served this shrine by supplying plants three times a day. In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar honors Muruga Nayanar’s devotion to the Lord. Muruga Nayanar is supposed to have found salvation in Nallur Perumanam (Aachalpuram) during Saint Thirugnanasambanthar’s wedding.

It is assumed that Lord Agni, Sage Bharadwaj, King Nalan, all 18 Siddhars, Saints Thirugnanasambanthar, Appar, and Sundarar worshiped Lord Shiva here.

Vardhamaneswarar Temple Location

Thiru Pukalur is located around 7 kilometers west of the Sannanallur junction on the Thiruvarur-Peralm route. It is located 33 kilometers away from Mayiladuthurai, 20 kilometers from Karaikkal, 20 kilometers from Thiruvarur, and 10 kilometers from Nannilam.

Other Devara Paadal Petra. Shiva Sthalams around this region include Thiru Pukalur, Thirumarugal, Nannilam, Thiru Kondeecharam, Thiru Panaiyur, Ramanadeecharam, Thiru Payatrur, and Thiru Chenkattangudi.

Vardhamaneswarar Temple Temple Timings

From 06:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM.

Notable features

There are three Shivalingams right here: Lord Bhoodeshwarar, Lord Vardamaneeswarar, and Lord Bhavishyeswarar. These three lingams are thought to represent the beyond, gift, and destiny. Lord Vardamaneswarar is also known as “Nikazhkaala Nathar” in Tamil (“Nikazhkaalam” in the present day).

The holy tank (Agni Theertham) of this temple serves as a garland (“Akazhi” in Tamil).
Three exquisite reliefs on a wall in the passageway portray the following scenes: Lord Agri adoring Lord Shiva, Saint Appar’s final adoration of the Lord, and a few monarchs and queens worshiping the Lord. For more information about temple in Tamil Nadu visit the official website of liturgical temples.