Sri Vyakrapureeswarar Temple, Thirupperumpuliyur, Thiruvaiyaru - 275 Shiva Temples

53. Sri Vyakrapureeswarar Temple, Thirupperumpuliyur, Thiruvaiyaru (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Viyakrapureeswarar, Sri Puliyur Nathar
Name of Goddess : Soundara nayagi, Azhagammai
Holy water (Theertham) : Cauvery.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Sarakondrai.
Thevaram : Sambandar
District : Thanjavur.
Location : Thiruvaiyaru.
Timings : 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

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This is the 53rd sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This Shivastalam is located at a distance of 16 km from Thanjavur. The Vaishnava Divya Desam dedicated to Sundararaja Perumal is located nearby. This temple covers an area of about 1.5 acres and has a three tiered Rajagopuram Both the main shrine and Ambal shrine are east facing. It is interesting to note that the Navagraha shrine is designed such that 8 of celestial bodies face Surya. Another interesting feature is that the niche usually enshrined with Lingodbhava is enshrined with Ardhanareeswara. There are also shrines to Surya, Ganesha and Skanda. Inscriptions from the period of Raja Raja Chola are seen in this temple. Sambandar is said to have visited Perumpuliyur after visiting Tiruvaiyaru. 3 worship services are offered each day here.

This is one of the 5 temples in which Viyakrapatha Munivar worshiped Lord shiva, Hence this place is called as Perum Puliyur.
Ambal temple is facing east, very beautiful to look.
Navagrahas are facing Suryan.
Moolavar karuvarai is built on the 4 tier badma pedam.
In koshtam Arthnanareeswarar in place of Lingothbavar.
Moolavar is facing east in an elevated position.

The temple is simple in design and small. The east facing small tower (Raja gopuram) has three tiers. There is no flag staff; the bali peetha and Nandi mandapa are located facing the sanctumm sanctorum.

Vyagrapureeswarar is in the form of a tall Shiv Linga in the sanctum santorum. He is placed on top of a lotus petal peeth called as Kamala peetham. It can be seen from the back side wall of the sanctum sanctorum.

The Goddess Soundra Nayaki is found in a separate east facing shrine in the prakara.

The entrance of sanctum sanctorum has a Ganesha idol and a sub-shire for Kasi Vishwanatha and Vishalakshi.

The prakara has sub-shrines of Siddhi Vinayaka, Nataraja, Murugan with his two consorts Valli and Devasena, Nalvar and Navagraha in a rare form with all the eight planets facing towards Surya.

The idols of Sapta Matas (some of them are missing nowadays), Bhairava, Surya, Chandra and Uma-Maheshwara (Linga) are also found in the prakara.

The Vimana and the Koshta idols appear to be very ancient. Dakshinamurthy, Ganesha, Ardha Nareeswarar, Brahma and Durga are found as the Koshta (niche) images. Also, the sub shrine of Chandikeshwara is located near Durga's image.

History / Legend:

The sanctum sanctorum is designed with a four step lotus petal peeta. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga of this temple in his Tirupugazh hymns. The place covered with wild bushes was brought to the attention of the world by His Holiness Sundara Swamigal of Madurai. Lord Arthanareeswar is near the Lingodhbava shrine.

Sage Vyakrapada (sage with tiger legs) learnt the glory of Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram from his father Mathiyandan. He worshiped Lord Tirumoola Nathar in Chidambaram. He climbed the trees with his tiger legs and had eyes in his finger nails to check the purity of the flowers to use them for his Shiva Puja. He occupies a place in Nataraja shrine on one side. Sage Patanjali has his place on the other side. Vyakrapada worshiped Lord in five places, the names ending with the suffix Puliyur. They are Tirupathiri Puliyur, Perumpattra Puliyur (Chidambaram), Erukatham Puliyur, Omam Puliyur and Perum Puliyur.

Devotees buying new vehicles perform Alankara to Lord with garlands. It is believed that no accident would occur if they perform this prayer.

Location: Located 4 Kms west of Tiruneithaanam, another paadal petra sthalam. It is about 6 Kms from Tiruvaiyaaru. Town bus is available from Thiruvaiyaru up to Thillai sthanam ( 2 KM ) a Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam on Thiruvaiyaru to Thirukkattupalli main road. 3 KM from Thillaisthanam on north side.

Temple Address & Contact Details:

Arulmighu Viyakra Pureeswarar Temple
Perumpuliyur
Thillaisthaanam Post
Via Tiruvaiyaaru
Thanjavur District
PIN 613203
Phone: +91 94434 47826 ; +91 94427 29856.