Brahmapureeswarar, Enkan

Saivite Temples, Thiruvarur District

God

Brahmapureeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Brahanayaki, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Saneeswara, Navagraha, Anjaneya, Aadhi Narayana Perumal

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Enkan is better known as Enkan Murugan Temple. In the Tamil Month of Panguni (March-April), the rays of Sun fall on Lord Shiva for three days. The idol of Lord Muruga with six heads seated on a peacock with his consorts is created with rare sculptural skill that balances the entire weight on a single leg of the peacock. Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Enkan is a large temple with a beautiful 3 tier Rajagopuram on the eastern side. There is a smaller 2 tier gopuram on the southern side for Lord Muruga. Muruga here is located in a Sabha facing south representing the powers of Dakshinamurthy and Yama. He is seen here with Lance, Arrow, Sword, Discus, Pasam the rope, Trident, Bow, Armour, Cock Flag and Angusam in his 12 hands.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Kumara Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vanni (Proposis cineraria)

History

The temple was built during the rule of Kulothungan II. Sage Arunagiriar has sung the glory of the place in his Tirupuazh hymns. The three Muruga idols at Enkan, Sikkal and Ettukudi temples were created by the same sculptor.

Mythology

It is said that the Chola king Mutharasan, seeing the beauty of the idol of Muruga at Sikkal decided that there should be no such idol anywhere and cut of the right thumb of the sculptor. But he went on to create another beautiful idol for the Ettukudi temple. The king then blinded the sculptor but again he started work on a third idol with the help of a little girl. Accidentally the chisel hit the girl’s eye and the blood from her fell on his eyes restoring sight. The sculptor shouted En Kann! (My eyes!) and thus the name of the place. Another story for the name is that Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva with his eight eyes here. This is also believed to be the place where Lord Muruga taught Pranava Mantra to Brahma on Lord Shiva’s instructions.

Directions

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Enkan is about 15 kilometers Northwest of Thiruvarur in the Nachiyar Kovil, Kumbakonam road and about two kilometers left of the main road before Simizhi. An entrance arch is there on the main road.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Thiruvarur.

Saivite Temples