Sri Vyagrapureeswarar Temple

Overview

Sri Vyagrapureeswarar temple is located at a distance of 5 kms from Uthiramerur in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. This is this old temple where in Sage Vyagrapada and his wife prayed to and got darshan of Shiva. This is a Vaipu sthalam where in Appar has mentioned the temple in his songs. This Temple is famous in India for hosting a special deity called Raja yoga Simha Dhakshinamoorthy.

About The Temple

The Sanctum Sanctorum is 15 feet above the ground. It is believed that there is an underground way in the Shiva shrine running up to Kancheepuram from one side and Uthiramerur on the other. It is also said there is a room below this path covered by a huge rock and the proof of this could be confirmed only by the Archeological department. The Shrine of Lord Vishnu in a standing form is behind the Shiva shrine. Lord Narasimha’s sculpture is on a pillar nearby. Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga grace at the entrance. There are also shrines of Vishnu Durga, Durga, Bhairava, Chandikeswara and Navagrahas the nine planets. The temple could have been built 1500 years ago. Pallava architecture is dominant. Lord Vyakrapureeswarar is a swayambulinga. The Avudayar (the stage or Peeta) is in a square design on a lotus. Footprints of a tiger are seen on the Linga also the hip bone is visible. There is Jadamudi (long hair tied up at the head). Such Jadamudi Shivalingas are seen in some temples in Thanjavur, Tiruvaiyaru, Tirunelveli and Shivasailam districts only. It is the same form in this temple also.

The other divine wonder in the temple is that the rays of Sun fall only on the wall behind the Shivalinga without its shadow.

Mother Amirthakuchalambal showers boons to devotees with longevity, prosperity and health.

Lord Dakshinamurthy has one of his legs on the Lion and one on Muyalagan, a form exclusively belongs to this temple only. He is praised as Rajayoga Simha Dakshinamurthy and Arthanareeswara Dakshinamurthy as Lion is attributed to Shakti worship and Muyalagan the ignorance of people. He represents both the male and female forms.

The temple is as great and equal to Chidambaram Nataraja Temple as Rishis Vyakrapatha, Patanjali and Sanakthis are on both sides of Dakshinamurthy. It is said that misunderstandings between husband and wife leading even to a divorce would be reversed and unity restored if they worship this Dakshinamurthy. The family will become happier again.

Legend and Stories

Rishis Vyakrapadha and Patanjali were worshipping Lord Shiva in Chidambaram with garlands. Many times, they were not able to get fresh flowers but only faded ones. Vyakrapadha felt sad that he could not get the fresh flowers from the top of the trees as he could not climb. Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him why he was sad as if He did not know this. Vyakrapadha explained his difficulty. Lord graced him with claws of a tiger to enable him to climb the trees.

It is in this temple Vyakrapadha worshipped Shiva with tiger legs. The place came to be known as Tirupulivanam. (Puli means tiger). The Lord also was happy to be called as Vyakrapureeswarar.

Festivals

Mahashivarathri in February-March and Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple

Significance

This is a temple that suits to all people belonging to the 12 zodiac signs (Rasis). People pray for marriage, child boon, removal of adverse effects caused by the planets, relief from snake aspects, professional and trade developments, success in political aspirations and elevation to high government posts. It is the staunch belief of the people that Lord showers royal boons to the devotees.

How To Reach Sri Vyakrapureeswarar Temple, Tirupulivanam

Airport

The Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.

Railways

The Nearest Railway Station is located at Kanchipuram.

Road

Thirupulivanam temple is 5 kms away from Uthiramerur on the Uthiramerur Kanchipuram road and can easily be seen from the road.

Temple Address

Sri Vyakrapureeswarar Temple,
Tirupulivanam, Kancheepuram district,
Tamil Nadu, Pincode - 603406.