Thirupugalur

Padal Petra Sthalam, Nagapattinam District

God

Agnipureeswarar, facing east. Also called Saranyapureeswarar, Konapiran

Goddess

Sooligambal, facing south. Also called Karundharkuzhali

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Chinthamani Easwarar, Lingams worshipped by Sage Bharadwaja and other great Sages, Agni, 63 Nayanmars, Panchalingams, Thirunavukkarasar, Mahalakshmi, Saneeswara, King Nala, Navagrahas, Saraswathi, Annapoorani, Kalasamharar, Chandrasekhar, Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Agastya, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Pitchadanar, Aalingana Kalyana Sundarar, Mookasoorasamharamurthy, Somaskandar

Thirupugalur is a large temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and a temple tank to the south of the temple. The Agni idol here is with 2 faces, 7 hands, 3 feet, 4 horns, 7 flames and is considered special. A separate shrine inside called Tirupugalur Varthamaneecharam for Lord Varthamaneswarar and Manonmaniammai is present inside the temple and has been sung upon in the Thevaram Hymns by Thirunavukkarasar.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Agni Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Punnai (Calophyllum inophyllum)

History

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar (7th – 8th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Thirupugalur. Thirunavukkarasar attained Mukthi here. Muruga Nayanar was borne here at Thirupugalur.

Legend

Agni and Sage Bharadwaja are believed to have worshiped here at Thirupugalur. The three great Saivite saints and other Nayanmars are believed to have been together with Muruga Nayanar here at Thirupugalur and rejoiced on the Lord’s glory. The lord is said to changed bricks into gold blocks for Sundarar here at Thirupugalur.

Directions

Thirupugalur is 8 Kilometers east of Nannilam on the road to Nagore

Stay and Food

None locally.

Padal Petra Sthalams