May 2010 - Temples of Tamilnadu

Tirupattur Brahmapureeswarar Koil is one of the rare temples where Lord Brahma has a separate shrine. There is an interesting story behind Brahma not having many temples dedicated to Him. Once, Vishnu and Brahma had a dispute as to who amongst the two was superior. They approached Shiva and asked Him to play Judge. Shiva then appeared as a huge Lingam and said that whichever of the two saw the feet and the head of the Lingam and returned first would be adjudged superior to the other. Brahma took the form of a Swan and went in search of the head while Vishnu took the form of a Boar and dug into the earth to reach the feet. Vishnu accepted defeat and returned. Brahma was not the one to accept defeat so easily. He saw a Thazhampu or Ketaki (common name – Fragrant screw pine) coming down. On enquiry the flower said that it was coming from top of the Shiva Lingam. Brahma enlisted the flower to testify before Shiva that Brahma had indeed reached the top of the Lingam. When they both approached Shiva and claimed Brahma’s victory, Shiva was very angry with Brahma for having told a lie and with Ketaki flower for false testimony about Brahma’s “discovery” of the top of the Lingam. He cursed them both. He cursed that henceforth Brahma would not be worshipped and would not have Temples built for Him. He also cursed the flower that it would not be used in any religious ritual. There are possibly just a couple of temples where Brahma is the main deity. There are a few other temples where Brahma is given importance and has separate shrine. Thirupattur or Thirupidavur near Trichy is one such temple.

Tirupattur Brahmapureeswarar Koil

In my earlier post on Uthamar Koil or Bitchandar Koil and Thiru Kandiyur, I had narrated the story of Brahma’s fifth head being plucked off by Shiva and the travails of Shiva due this act and finally His absolution. This temple at Thirupattur is connected with that same story. Brahma went on Pilgrimage of Shiva temples after He lost His fifth head and also being stripped of the responsibility of creation. In the course of His pilgrimage, Lord Brahma also visited this temple and installed 12 lingams around Bramhapureeshwarar and worshipped Shiva here for a very long time. Shiva, on Parvathy’s recommendation liberated Brahma from the curse and restored the power and responsibility of creation to Brahma. Shiva also blessed Brahma that He would have a separate shrine at this temple. He also instructed Brahma that since Brahma himself had His destiny rewritten here for the better; Brahma should rewrite the destinity of His devotees visiting this temple. While Shiva was absolved of the Brahmahatti dosham at Bitchandar Koil and Thiru Kandiyur, Brahma was absolved of His sin here.

The 12 Lingams of Lord Shiva which were installed by Brahma are Sri Bhramapureeswara, Sri Pazamalainathar, Sri Pathalaeswarar, Sri Sudharaneeswarar, Sri Thayumannar, Sri Sabthagereswarar, Sri Kalathinathar, Sri Jambukeswarar, Sri Kailasanathar, Sri Arunachaleeswarar, Sri Ekambreswarar, Sri Manduganathar. These lingams housed in separate shrines are seen around the Brahma theertham. Brahma theertham is the pond from which Brahma took the water for performing puja to Shiva.

Brahma Theertham, Tirupattur Brahmapureeswarar Koil

A view of two of the Shivalingams around Brahma Theertham. Tirupattur Brahmapureeswarar Koil.

Names of the Lingams installed by Lord Brahma. Tirupattur Brahmapureeswarar Koil.

Tirupattur Brahmapureeswarar Koil.

Since Lord Shiva absolved Brahma of His sins, He is known as Brahmapureeswarar in this temple. The lingam here is a Swayambhu (self manifested) lingam. His consort here is called Brahma Sampath Gowri (The one who gave Brahma’s wealth back) or BrahmaNayagi.

Brahma’s shrine is in the circumambulatory corridor of Brahmapureeswarar’s shrine. The 6 ft tall deity with an eternal covering of turmeric paste or manjal kappu can be seen in padmasana posture on a lotus.

The Jeeva Samadhi of Patanjali Munivar is located near Brahma’s shrine. A pathala lingam is also located close the shrine.

There are seven doorways through which we have to go before reaching the sanctum sanctorum of Brahmapureeswarar, which is at a distance of 300 metres from the main entrance. What is amazing is that the main deity is clearly visible from the main entrance. That’s not all. The Sun’s rays still can fall directly on the Shivalingam for three days every year viz., 15th, 16th and 17th of the Tamil month Panguni. These dates are approximately the 3rd, 4th and 5th of April.

Location:

Thirupattur (or Thirupidavur) is around 35 km from Trichy on the Trichy – Chennai Highway. While driving from Trichy, take a left near Siruganur and the temple is about 6 km here. It is at a distance of about 16 km from Samayapuram (Mariamman temple).

Click here for the map

Boarding & Lodging:

Have your travel base as Trichy which is just about 35 Kms from here.

Other temples nearby:

Bitchandar Koil or Uthamar Koil

Samayapuram Mariamman Temple

Ekambareswar and Thandayutha Pani Swami Temples, Chettikulam

Gneelivaneswarar temple, Thirupainjili

Pundarikaasha Perumal Temple at Thiruvellarai

Jambukeswarar Kovil, Thiruvanaikaval

Temple Timings: 6AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM

Temple Address: