Agneeswarar Temple, TiruAnniyur
Location: Tiru-Anniyur
Deity known as: Agneeswarar
Female Deity: Parvati
Pathikam: Tirunaavukarasar -1
Gallery – Agneeswarar Temple, TiruAnniyur
How to Reach
From Kumbakonam, take the road towards Karaikal up to S. Pudur. From there, proceed via the Konerirajapuram–Vadamattam road. From Vadamattam, Tiru Anniyur is located about 4 km to the east. Devotees traveling from Chennai can reach Peralam and then proceed to Tiru Anniyur via the Koothanur–Eravanchery–Natchiarkovil route, crossing the Arasalaru River at Thenkarai.
Temple Address
TiruAnniyur
Via Vadamattam, North Bank of River Arisil
Nagapattinam District
Tamil Nadu
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Nearby Temples
| 1 | TiruVaikal Maadakoil - 6.9 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Nallam - 3.5 kms | |
| 3 | Tiru-Kozhambiam - 9 kms | |
| 4 | Sirukudi - 9.8 kms | |
| 5 | Tiru-Veezhi-Mizhalai - 4.2 kms | |
| 6 | Tiru-Karuvili-Kottidai - 6.6 kms |
Map – Agneeswarar Temple, TiruAnniyur
Sthala Purana
Two Tiru-Anniyur Temples
There are two Thevaram temples with the name Tiru-Anniyur. One is located on the northern bank of the Kaveri River, and the other is on the southern bank. The Tiru-Anniyur on the northern bank is known today as Ponnur. The Tiru-Anniyur on the southern bank is situated about 7 km from S.Pudur on the Kumbakonam–Karaikal road.
Daksha Yaga
Daksha conducted a grand yagna, deliberately ignoring his son-in-law God Shiva and inviting all other deities. Among those who attended the yagna was Agni Deva. For participating in a sacrifice that disrespected Shiva, he was punished and cursed by Bhadrakali and Veerabhadra. Due to this curse, Agni was unable to take part in any yagnas thereafter. As a result, sacrificial rituals ceased, rainfall diminished, and living beings began to suffer. Distressed by this situation, Agni Deva worshipped Shiva at several sacred places, seeking relief from the curse. During this time, he came to this place, established a Shiva Lingam, created a water body and worshipped the deity using Vanni leaves. Through his sincere devotion, he was relieved of the curse. Since Agni worshipped here, the presiding deity came to be known as Agnipureeswarar, and the sacred tank created by him is called Agni Theertham.
Agni Deva, having been blessed by the deity Agneeswarar, prayed that devotees who visit this abode of Shiva, bathe in the Agni Theertham, and worship the deity with devotion should be freed from ailments associated with excess body heat and be granted well-being. It is therefore believed that those suffering from heat-related disorders or blood pressure issues can obtain relief by taking a holy dip in the temple's sacred tank and offering wheat-based preparations to God Shiva with sincere prayers. Such worship is said to bring both physical healing and spiritual upliftment.
Significance
Goddess Parvati, born as the daughter of Sage Kathiyayanar, is believed to have performed penance at this sacred site to be united with Shiva. Moved by her devotion, Shiva appeared before her and later married her at Tiruveezhimizhalai, located nearby. Due to this sacred association, the temple is regarded as a powerful place for removing obstacles related to marriage. It is a long-standing belief that unmarried devotees who worship here with sincere prayers are blessed with early and auspicious marriages.
Temple Layout
This temple, with its modest rajagopuram, is situated on the northern bank of the River Arisil. Upon entering and proceeding clockwise, one can observe a series of sculptures on the sanctum walls depicting Appar, Agni, Gowri, a Shiva Lingam, Kamadhenu performing milk abhishekam, and Rishabaroodar. Nearby, Dakshinamurthy is enshrined. Separate sannidhis for Vinayaka, Bala Subramanya, and Gajalakshmi are also present, along with the sacred Vanni tree as the temple's sthala vriksha. Passing through the entrance, the balipeetam and Nandi mandapam are seen directly ahead. In the adjoining front mandapam, there is a sannidhi for the primary four nayanmars, while to the right is the south-facing sannidhis of the Goddess. The presiding deity of this temple graces devotees in the form of a self-manifested (swayambhu) Shiva Lingam. On either side of the sanctum entrance stand beautifully sculpted Dwarapalakas in stone. The Somaskandar and Natarajar idols here are especially exquisite and noteworthy. The hymn (pathigam) sung in praise of the presiding deity of this temple by Tirunavukarasar is included in the 5th Tirumurai.
Pathikam
The hymn sung in praise of the presiding deity Agneeswarar of this temple by Tirunavukarasar (Appar) is included in the 5th Tirumurai. This sacred temple holds the honour of being praised with one pathigam by Tirunavukarasar.
Gallery
