Pazhampathinathar Temple, Tiruppunavayil

Temple Information
Deity known as	Pazhampathinathar, Viruthapureeswarar
Female deity known as	Karunai Nayagi
Pathigam	Sambandar, Sundarar
How to reach	Tiruppunvasal can be reached from Tiruchy via Pudukottai, Arantangi and Avudaiyar Kovil.You can also reach Tiruppunavasal from Madurai via Sivagangai, Kalayarkovil and Tiruvadanai.
Temple address	Arulmighu Pazhampathinathar Temple Tiruppunavasal Tiruppunavasal Post Avudayarkoil Taluk Pudukottai District PIN 614629

Route Map from Madurai and Pudukkottai to tirupunavasal
Map courtesy by: Google Maps

The Vridhapureeswarar temple in Thirupunavasal, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its distinctive feature which is, among all the temples in the state, this temple houses a Shiva Linga and 'Aavudayar' (the pedestal on which the Linga is placed) with the largest circumference. According to the legend, Brahma, the God of Creation, lost his creative powers due to his lack of understanding of the sacred 'Om' mantra. Upon the advice of Devi Parvathy, Brahma installed a Shiva Linga and prayed for the restoration of his abilities. In order to perform the ritualistic 'Abishekam' (anointing) to the Linga he consecrated, Brahma created a waterbody, which came to be known as 'Brahma Theertham'. The Linga, known as 'Chatur-Mukha Lingam', had four faces representing Shiva, created by Brahma on the four sides of the Linga. This Linga existed until the reign of King Sundara Pandiya II, who combined the architectural styles of both the Chozha and Pandiya dynasties to construct a grand temple with a 'Rajagopuram' (entrance tower) and 'Vimanam' (main tower). In the sanctum sanctorum, a colossal Shiva Linga was consecrated. Due to its ancient origins and association with Brahma's worship at this sacred location, the presiding deity of the temple is known as 'Vruddhapureeswarar' or 'Pazhamainathar' (both meaning ancient).

The primary tower of the temple, which stands at an impressive height of 65 feet, is situated in the east direction. Adjacent to the temple is the sacred waterbody known as 'Brahma Theertham'. As one enters the gateway of the tower, they will find shrines dedicated to Dandapaani and Vallabha Ganesha located to the north and south of the primary tower respectively. On the right side, after entering the gateway, there are shrines for surya and Bhairavar, while on the left side, there is a shrine for chandra. All three of these shrines face west.

After crossing the 'Sabha Mandap', 'Maha Mandap', and Artha Mandap', the main deity can be seen in a dedicated shrine within the sanctum sanctorum, facing east. The 'Aavudayar' (the circular pedestal on which the Linga is placed) and the Nandi are both of significant size. The Linga here is the second largest in size when compared to the Linga in the Brahadeeswara temple in Tanjore. It is believed that all the 14 Shivasthalams of the Pandya Naadu are located here, and thus, there are 14 Shiv Lingams inside the temple. It is said that visiting Tirupunavasal is equivalent to visiting all 14 temples.

Legend has it that 'Yama' (the God of death) and his messengers are unable to enter within a distance of approximately 7 miles from Tirupunavasal. Various deities such as Mahavishnu, Brahma, Indra, Surya, Chandran, Yamadharman, Vasishta, and Agathiyar have worshipped the presiding deity here. Additionally, there are dedicated shrines for Pancha Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Thala Vinayagar, Valli Deivanai, along with Murugan, Brahma, Chandikeswarar, and Gajalakshmi around the sanctum sanctorum. On the western exterior of the wall surrounding the sanctum sanctorum, behind the shrine of the presiding deity, instead of Lingothbhava, one can find depictions of Mahavishnu and Hanuman. To the left of the shrine of the presiding deity, there is a shrine for the female deity Karuani Nayaki, facing east. A shrine in a cavernous chamber across 'karunai Nayaki's shrine is dedicated to Kali. Within this chamber, Kali's fearsome visage can be glimpsed through a reflective mirror.

This location is believed to have existed in four Yugas, referred to by different names in each Yuga. Consequently, there are four sacred trees associated with this temple. The fact that the cactus-sedum, typically avoided by all, was the associated sacred tree in Kruthayuga, indicates that in the eyes of God, every being is equal. In Kruthayuga, this sacred site was known as Vajravanam or Indirapura. In Threthayuga, it was called Brhamapura with the sacred tree being 'kurunda' (wild orange). In Dwaparayuga, it was known as 'Vrudhakasi' with the sacred tree being 'magizha' (intermedlar tree), and in Kaliyuga, it is referred to as pazhampathi with the associated sacred tree being 'punnai' (mastwood) tree. These four are considered to represent the four Vedas. This place holds the distinction of being worshipped by all four Vedas. There are ten Theerthas associated with this temple, namely Lakshmi Theertha, Brahma Theertha, Indra Theertha, Chakra Theertha, Surya Theertha, Chandra Theertha, Sivaganga Theertha, Kalyana Theertha, Varuna Theertha, and Bambaru, which flows south of the temple.