Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirukkuvalai – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. There is a second level three tiered gopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. A mandapam connects the rajagopuram with the second level gopuram. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram in this mandapam, facing towards the sanctum. Vasantha Mandapam can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram on the right side.
The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Brahmapureeswarar / Kolilinathar / Kolili Natheswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The Lingam is said to have made of white sand and always covered with Kuvalai. Thaila Kappu is applied to the Lingam only on every Amavasya (new moon days).
Nardana Ganapathy, Dakshinamoorthy, Bikshadana, Nataraja, Vishnu, Uma Maheswarar, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. The vimana over the sanctum is of single tier and follows vesara style. Mother is called as Vandamar Poonguzhali / Brihannayaki. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is like a separate temple.
Thyagaraja Shrine is situated on the right side of the sanctum. The sanctum and Thyagaraja shrine shares the maha mandapam. This shrine is considered as one of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams. Thyagaraja of this shrine is called as Avani Vidangar / Oozhiparan. The dance form associated with the Thyagaraja is Birunga Nadanam / Vandu Nadanam. The Abhishekam is performed every day at 9.00 AM and 6.00 PM.
Agastheeswarar Shrine is situated between the sanctum and Mother shrine. It is said that the Linga was worshipped by Sage Agastya. This shrine consists of sanctum and ardha mandapam. There is a shrine for Shivaloga Vinayagar on the south western corner of the inner prakaram. Navagrahas can be seen standing in the same row facing towards south in the Navagrahas shrine. It is unusual to see Navagrahas in this arrangement.
Shrines & Idols of Sundarar with his wife Paravai Nachiyar, Nataraja, Sundara Vadivelan, Thyaga Vinayagar, Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Indrapureeswarar, Chokkalingam, Annamalayar, Naalvar, Mahalakshmi, Chandran and Suryan can be seen in the inner prakaram. Vahana Mandapam is situated in the inner prakaram. Sthala Vriksham is Thetra Maram (Clearing Nut Tree).
Theertham associated with this temple is Brahma Theertham, Chandra Nadhi, Indra Theertham, Agastya Theertham and Sakthi Theertham. Brahma Theertham is situated in front of the temple. Chandra Nadhi is flowing near to the temple. Indra Theertham is situated on the southern side of the temple and Agastya Theertham is situated on the western side. Sakthi Theertham is situated in the Parvati shrine in the form of well.
