the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

According to legend, once Goddess Parvathy requested Lord Shiva to explain to her the meaning of Pranava Mantra – OM. When Lord Shiva was explaining it to her, she lost interest in it. Lord Shiva was angered by this and he punished her to be born on earth as a human. Goddess Parvathy stayed in this place Omam puliur and performed penance here under this temple’s Sthala Viruksham, Ilanthai tree. It is believed that Lord Shiva as Dakshinamurthy (Guru) blessed her with his darshan and completed the teaching of Pranava Mantra. Hence the lord here is praised as Sri Pranavapureeswarar. It is believed that Lord Murugan, in the form of a beetle (vandu), overheard the teachings without his parents knowing about it. Lord Murugan is believed to have recited this Mantra to his father in Swamimalai at a later date. It is believed that Lord Guru is a Swayambu Moorthy in this temple. The sanctum of Guru Dakshinamurthy is placed in in the main hall (Maha Mandapam) in between the sanctums of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. This place is considered to be one of the Guru Sthalams. Abhishekam is performed here first to Dakshinamoorthy and then to Lord Shiva.Interestingly, the places of Lord Dakshinamurthy and Natarajar are interchanged in this temple. As in other Shiva temples, here also there is a shrine for Dakshinamurthy in the khostam. Hence, there are two Dakshinamurthy in this temple which is considered to be very auspicious. As per Sthala Puranam, Sage Vyakyapathar (Pulikkal Munivar – tiger legged rishi) worshipped Lord Shiva in five places – Perumpatra Puliyur, Omampuliyur, Perum Puliyur, Erukkatham Puliyur and Thiruppathiri Puliyur. It is believed that he worshiped Lord Shiva here to seek the dance darshan of Thillai Natarajar as seen in Chidambaram. Hence, the lord here is praised as Sri Vyagyapureeswarar and this place gets the name Puliyur. As Lord Dakshinamoorthy explained the meaning of Pranavam Om to Goddess Uma Devi (Parvathy), this place gets the name Om amam Puliyur. Later this name was changed to Omampuliyur. Another reason for the name Omampuliyur is that in ancient times, a lot of yagnas (Homam) were conducted in this place and the smoke from these yagnas would engulf this village. In his hymn, Saint Thirunavukkarasar also mentions about the large number of yagnas performed and the smoke in this place. Once, a king called Sadanandan, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, visited this place, took a dip in the temple’s tank and worshiped the lord. It is believed that he was then cured of his leprosy. This is a Parihara Sthalam for those who born during the periods of Revathi Nakshathiram. Devotees whose birth star is Revathi can visit this temple for performing special poojas. This is also a famous Guru Parihara Sthalam. Also, parents bring their children here to worship the lord and seek his blessings for a bright academic future for their children.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 31st Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This is a famous Guru Parihara Sthalam. This is a Parihara Sthalam for Revathi Nakshathiram (star). In place of the main tower, there is a beautiful arch with sculptures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. This east facing temple has a single corridor and its second main tower has 3-tiers. There is no flag post (dwajasthambam) here. This ancient temple is situated on the northern bank of the river Kollidam. There are six stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Chola King Kulothungan-III and Pallava King Kopperunsinga Devar. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). There is no Navagraham in this temple. The idol of Natarajar is placed in the khostam. It is believed that this is the Natarajar that gave darshan to Sage Viyakrapathar. There are beautiful sculptures that depict Sage Vyakrapathar worshiping the lord in five different Shiva temples. The names of all the five places are affixed with Puliyur and they are together known as Pancha Puliyur. These places are – Perum Patra Puliyur (Chidambaram), Perum Puliyur, Omampuliyur (this place), Thiruppathiri Puliyur (Cuddalore), and Thiru Erukkatham Puliyur. Another sculpture in the sanctum depicts Lord Mahavishnu receiving the Chakrayudam from Lord Shiva to destroy the demon Salandharan.

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan) and Masi Maham and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar). Special poojas are conducted on Jupitar (Guru) transition days. Pradosham is also observed regularly.