Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirukkuvalai

Brahmapureeswarar Temple (பிரம்மபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், திருக்குவளை)[1] or Tiurkolili is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirukkuvalai in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is revered by the hymns of 7th century Tamil saivite poets, Appar, Sundarar and Campantar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam (No:123).

Brahmapureeswarar Temple
Tirukolili
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictNagapattinam
DeityBrahmapureeswarar(Shiva)
Location
LocationThirukkuvalai
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates10°37′N 79°43′E
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture

Legend

One old man of Kundaiyur near Tirukkuvalai hearing of Sundaramurthi Nayanar's greatness was supplying him with paddy and dhol, when owing to adversity of season being unable to contribute the stipulated quantity prayed to God. Sundarar sung praying the deity here in favour of the old man.[2] As per Hindu legend, the image of Shiva, in the form of lingam was made with white sand by Brahma. Navagrahas, the nine planetary deities are believed to have worshipped Shiva to absolve themselves of the sins committed. Thyagarajar is called Avani Vidangar and is believed to perform Bringa Natanam.[3]

Processional Dance

The Thyagarajar Temple at Tiruvarur is famous for the ajapa thanam(dance without chanting), that is executed by the deity itself. According to legend, a Chola king named Mucukunta obtained a boon from Indra(a celestial deity) and wished to receive an image of Thyagaraja Swamy(presiding deity, Shiva in the temple) reposing on the chest of reclining Lord Vishnu. Indra tried to misguide the king and had six other images made, but the king chose the right image at Tiruvarur. The other six images were installed in Thirukkuvalai, Nagapattinam, Tirukarayil, Tirukolili, Thirukkuvalai and Tirumaraikadu.[4][5] All the seven places are villages situated in the river Cauvery delta. All seven Thyagaraja images are said to dance when taken in procession (it is the bearers of the processional deity who actually dance). The temples with dance styles are regarded as Saptha Vidangam(seven dance moves)[6] and the related temples are as under:[7]

Temple Vidangar Temple Dance pose Meaning
Thyagarajar Temple Vidhividangar Ajabathaanam Dance without chanting, resembling the dance of Sri Thyagaraja resting on Lord Vishnu's chest
Dharbaranyeswarar Temple Nagaradangar Unmathanathaanam Dance of an intoxicated person
Kayarohanaswamy Temple Sundaravidangar Vilathithaanam Dancing like waves of sea
Kannayariamudayar Temple Adhividangar Kukunathaanam Dancing like a cock
Brahmapureeswarar Temple Avanividangar Brunganathaanam Dancing like a bee that hovers over a flower
Vaimoornaathar Temple Nallavidangar Kamalanaanathaanam Dance like lotus that moves in a breeze
Vedaranyeswarar Temple Bhuvanivividangar Hamsapthanathaanam Dancing with the gait of a swan

References
  1. ta:திருக்குவளை பிரம்மபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில்
  2. South Indian shrines: illustrated P.370.P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar
  3. V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 36.
  4. Pillai, J.M. Somanasundaram (1994). The great temple at Tanjore. Tamil University, Thanjavur. p. 9.
  5. Glimpses of the history of Karaikkal.Saroja Sundararajan
  6. The Journal of the Music Academy, Madras: Volumes 33-34 .Music Academy (Madras, India) - 1962
  7. Nityasumaṅgalī: devadasi tradition in South India .P.146. Saskia C. Kersenboom-Story
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