Agnipureeswarar Temple, Thirupugalur travel guide

Deity

Shiva as Agnipureeswarar; goddess Karundhar Kuzhali

District

Thiruvarur

Timings

5:30 am–12 noon, 4–9 pm

Main festival

Vaikasi (10 days)

Nearest airport

Trichy

Stories of the temple

One legend tells of Banasura, who gathered Lingas for his mother's worship but could not move the one at Thirupugalur. Shiva assured him he would appear at her puja anyway, and a large tank said to have been dug by Banasura is pointed out near the temple. Agni, the fire god, is believed to have worshipped here to be freed from a curse, which gives the temple its name; his image shows him with seven hands and horns.

Tradition holds that Appar, also called Thirunavukkarasar, cleared the temple paths with his small hand tool, the uzhavaram, and attained liberation here. For Sundarar, the bricks he rested his head on are said to have turned to gold.

Shrines and worship

The main shrine is of Agnipureeswarar, with the goddess as Karundhar Kuzhali. There are separate shrines for Appar and Sundarar, a Gnana Vinayagar, a second pair of shrines for Vardhamaneswarar and Manonmani, and places for Shani and King Nala. The goddess is also honoured as Soolikambal, protector of mothers and newborns.

Because of the golden-brick story, devotees bring bricks to be blessed before starting a new home, and Vastu poojas are commonly done here. Women pray for safe childbirth, and those whose birth star is Sathayam consider it a special place of prayer.

Festivals

The ten-day Vaikasi festival around the full moon is the biggest event. A separate ten-day Appar festival re-enacts the saint's final days. Karthigai, Pradosham days and Deepavali are also marked.

Timings and visiting

The temple is usually open between 5:30 am and 12 noon, and again from 4 pm until 9 pm. Wear traditional or modest clothing; shorts and similar casual wear are not appropriate.

How to reach

Local buses run from Thiruvarur. Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam are the nearest larger railway stations, and Trichy is the closest airport. We can combine Thirupugalur with Thiruvarur and other delta temples in a day trip.

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