New house builders come to this place and worship the Lord by placing three bricks right in front of the Agneswarar Sannidhi and take the bricks away.
The Agneeswarar temple is a special place where the Lord sits in one place and gives blessings in order to realize the past, present and future. This temple is situated in Thirupukalur, Nagapattinam district. Devotees believe that if we go here and worship the Lord, we will get the power to experience the three seasons.
Sundarar
Sundarar, one of the Devar hymn singers, was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. It is Sundarar’s custom to celebrate him every year on Panguni Uthra Thirunal. He regularly followed the practice of worshiping Shivanatiyars by performing the Maheswara Pooja on that occasion. Sundar’s wife Paravai Nachiyarmal will also participate in this service.
At one time Sundar faced financial crisis. So there was a problem in taking the ceremony. Not knowing what to do, Sundarar went to every temple and prayed. Finally reached Tirupugalur temple. At that time, the repair work was going on there. So sand and bricks were piled up around the temple.
Vastu Remedial Site
Sundar got tired due to his long journey. He rested on the sand piled up for construction work. He made the bricks a pillow. Even if the eyes are tired, ‘How to conduct Maheswara Pooja?’ That was his thinking. In his dream “Where is the money for Panguni Utra?” It was as if the wife was asking. He suddenly woke up. Sundarar was pleasantly surprised to see that the bricks used for the pillow had turned into gold bars. He was happy thinking that this was the Lord’s Leela.
After this incident, the Agneswarar temple also became a Vastu parikara thalam. New house builders come to this place and worship the Lord by placing three bricks right in front of the Agneswarar Sannidhi and take the bricks away. The 3 bricks made in this way should be placed in the north east, south east areas and in the pooja room.
Agni is God
An incident also happened to give this temple the name of Agneeswarar. Once upon a time there was a fierce fight between God Agni and God Vayu. Then Agni Deva Vayu
Looking at God, he boasted, “I am the greatest in this world. If anyone opposes me, I will burn to ashes. If I start attacking, even a mountain will explode.”
God Vayu said, “O Agni! However powerful you are, you are my son. You appeared from me in the form of Pancha Buddhas. Therefore, no matter how great you are, you have my power. Therefore, do not stand before my power.” He cursed to remove the curse of his father. He asked his clan guru Pragaspati what was the way.
Worship of Shiva
He said, “Your father’s curse is not bad. There is a place called Punnaga forest in the Chola country. You should go there, dig trenches on all four sides, stay there, say Shiva’s name and perform Shiva puja. If you do that, no curse will befall you.”
Lord Agni also went in the same way and used to worship Lord Shiva standing in the middle of Punnaga forest as Swayambu Murthy. In it Lord Shiva emerged from the lingam and presented to God Agni.
Immediately, Agni Deva fell down at Lord Shiva’s feet and prayed, “Whatever I touch, whatever I do, my sanctity should not be spoiled. You should also reside in this place and give grace to the people of the world.” Accordingly, the lord of this place is called ‘Agneeswarar’ because of his grace to Agni. Punnai tree is the main tree of this temple. Also the moat around this temple is called ‘Pana Theertha’ and ‘Agni Theertha’.
Marriage ban will be removed
The name of this Goddess is Karundhal Kuzhali. Ambal is worshiped in a white saree during Sayaratsai. It is the belief of the devotees that those who are barred from marriage will get the blessing of marriage easily if they worship Ambal with a white saree.
In this place, the current Nathar Varthamaneeswar, the past Nathar Bhutheswarar and the future Nathar Pavitchayeswar are also residing in this place. By worshiping them, one can get rid of the sins and doshas of previous births. They say that the benefits that should happen in the present, you can get all the wealth that you will get in the future and live well.
Shani Dosha will be removed
It is also known as a place to remove Shani Dosha. It is special that Nala Chakravarthy and Shaniswaran are enshrined in the same shrine at this place. Once upon a time Emperor Nala was afflicted with Shani Dosha. Before going to Tirunallaru to get rid of it, he came to this place and worshiped Saneeswaran. Then the Lord said “I will remove Shani who caught you in Tirunallaar” as Asariri. That is why Saturn here is called ‘Anukgraha Shani’. It is believed that Shani Dosha will be removed by coming to this place.
location
Agneeswarar Temple is located at Thirupukalur near Nannilam in Nagapattinam district. Thirupugalur can be reached by traveling 37 km from Kumbakonam, 20 km from Tiruvarur, 32 km from Mayiladuthurai and 24 km from Nagapattinam.
Theertha formed by Panasura
The mother of the demon Panasura was very devoted to Shiva. So Panasura followed the custom of bringing a linga from the earth every day to worship his mother. Once he also came to Bugalur. He tried to transfer Agneswarar who is kept in the temple here. He couldn’t.
Then he dug trenches on all four sides and tried to lift the lingam. He could not find the foundation. Water gushed out from all four sides of his crater and settled it. Realizing his mistake, Panasura prayed to the Lord that ‘let this thirtham be a cure for the people’. It is known as ‘Pana Theertha’ because of the trench made by Panasura, and ‘Agni Theertha’ because Agni worshiped Lord Shiva with this Theertha.
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