Vyagrapureeswarar Temple, Perumpuliyur, Thanjavur
Vyagrapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu
temple located at Perumpuliyur near Thiruvaiyaru in the Thanjavur district of Tamil
Nadu, India. This Shivastalam is located at a distance of 16
km from Thanjavur. The Vaishnava Divya Desam dedicated to Sundararaja
Perumal is located nearby. It is considered to be the 53rd in the series
of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located north of the river Kaveri.
Legends
Sage Vyagrapada (sage with tiger legs) learnt the glory
of Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram from his father Mathiyandan. He
worshipped Lord Tirumoola Nathar in Chidambaram. He climbed the trees
with his tiger legs and had eyes in his finger nails to check the purity of the
flowers to use them for his Shiva Puja. He occupies a place in Nataraja
shrine on one side. Sage Patanjali has his place on the other side.
Vyagrapada worshipped Lord in five places, the names ending with the suffix
Puliyur. They are Tirupathiri Puliyur, Perumpattra Puliyur (Chidambaram),
Erukatham Puliyur, Omam Puliyur and Perum Puliyur.
Temple Speciality
Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. While traditionally the
Navagrahas the nine planets are facing different directions in temples, they
are facing Sun-Surya in this temple.
The Temple
This temple covers an area of about 1.5 acres and has a
three tiered Rajagopuram. Both the main shrine and Ambal shrine are east
facing. It is interesting to note that the Navagraha shrine is designed such
that 8 of celestial bodies face Surya. Another interesting feature is that the
niche usually enshrined with Lingodbhava is enshrined with Ardhanareeswara.
There are also shrines to Surya, Ganesha and Skanda.
Inscriptions from the period of Raja Raja Chola are seen
in this temple. Sambandar is said to have visited Perumpuliyur after visiting Tiruvaiyaru. 3 worship services are
offered each day here.
The sanctum sanctorum is designed with a four step lotus
petal peeta. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga of this
temple in his Thirupugazh hymns. The place covered with wild bushes
was brought to the attention of the world by His Holiness Sundara Swamigal
of Madurai. Lord Arthanareeswarar is near the Lingodhbava
shrine.
The temple is simple in design and small. The east
facing small tower (Raja gopuram) has three tiers. There is no flag staff; the Bali
peetham and Nandi mandapa are located facing the sanctum sanctorum.
Vyagrapureeswarar is in the form of a tall Shiv
Linga in the sanctum Santorum. He is placed on top of a lotus petal Peeth
called as Kamala peetham. It can be seen from the back side wall of the
sanctum sanctorum.
The Goddess Soundra Nayaki is found in a
separate east facing shrine in the prakara. The entrance of sanctum sanctorum
has a Ganesha idol and a sub-shire for Kasi Vishwanatha and Vishalakshi.
The prakara has sub-shrines of Siddhi Vinayaka,
Nataraja, and Murugan with his two consorts Valli and Devasena, Nalvar and
Navagraha in a rare form with all the eight planets facing towards Surya.
The idols of Sapta Matas (some of them are missing
nowadays), Bhairava, Surya, Chandra and Uma-Maheshwara (Linga) are also found
in the prakara.
The Vimana and the Koshta idols appear to be very
ancient. Dakshinamurthy, Ganesha, Ardha Nareeswarar, Brahma and Durga are found
as the Koshta (niche) images. Also, the sub shrine of Chandikeshwarar is
located near Durga's image.
Highlights:
·
Sambhandar has revered
the temple in his verses in Tevaram.
·
Arunagirinathar has
sung the praise of Lord Murugan in this temple.
·
God - Vyagrapureeswarar aka
Puliyurnathar
·
Goddess - Soundra
Nayaki aka Azhagammai
·
Stala Vruksha (holy
tree) - Sarakondrai
·
Teertham (Holy water)
- Cauvery
Significance
Vyagrapureeswarar Temple also known
as Perumpuliyur is one of the five shrines associated with the Saivite saint Vyagrapada. Hymns have been composed in praise of the temple
by Sambandar in the Thevaram.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.
Festivals
Maha Shivrathri is very devotionally celebrated in the
temple in February-March.
Prayers
Devotees buying new vehicles perform Alankara to Lord
with garlands. It is believed that no accident would occur if they
perform this prayer. Devotees offer pujas to Lord and Mother with Vastras
and contribute for the renovations of the temple.
Singers
Saint Thirugnana Sambandar had sung the glory of Lord
Shiva of the temple in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 53rd Shiva temple
on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.
Contact
Sri Vyagrapureeswarar Temple,
Perumpuliyur, Thanjavur
Phone: +91- 94434 47826,
+91- 94427 29856
Connectivity
It is well connected by road from Tanjore, Tiruvaiyaru
and Kumbakonam. Nearest railway Station is located at Thanjavur & Nearest
Airport is located at Trichy.
