Agnipureeswarar Temple,
Thirupugalur – History
This
Temple is considered as Mukthi Sthalam of Appar.
Hence, this
temple might have been built before 7th Century CE as
Appar is said to have lived in 7th Century CE. The
temple is extensively renovated by Cholas during the 10th
– 11th Century CE. There are two Devara Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalams in the same complex namely Agnipureeswarar
Temple and Vardhamaneeswarar
Temple. There are about 67 inscriptions available in this
temple.
Most of these inscriptions are
dated to the periods of various Chola Kings Uthama Chola, Rajaraja Chola I,
Rajendra Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola II, Kulothunga Chola I
and Kulothunga Chola II. The temple has inscriptions dating from Uthama
Chola (970–985 CE). The
inscriptions from the time of Rajaraja I indicates tax free gifts of
land for conducting festivals and for providing offering to the
temple every year by Panchavan Mahadeviyar, one of the consorts of
the ruler.
Another inscription dated to the
27th regnal year of the Rajaraja Chola I indicates gift of paddy and
money by Angikumara Gramavittan. The inscriptions from the period
of Rajendra Chola I (1012–1044 CE) indicates exemption of taxes for
certain lands belonging to the
temple. The records from Rajadhiraja Chola I indicates
offering by Pichan Sirudaikal of Saliamangalam making a gift of offering to
the Ashtamangala ceremony, the eight steps of bathing of the deity
(mirror, water-pot, flag, fly-wisk, elephant goad, drum, lamp and a pair of
fish).
The records from the period
of Rajendra Chola II (1054–1063 CE) indicates the exclusion of land tax for certain lands
of the
temple. The first precinct was probably built during this time as
per the information available in this inscription. There are also inscriptions
from private donors indicating donations of festival images to the
temple. The
temple is maintained and administered by the Thiruppugalur
Velakurichi Adheenam and Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of
the Government of Tamil Nadu.
