The Vridhapureeswarar temple in Thirupunavasal, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its distinctive Shiva Linga and 'Aavudayar' (the pedestal on which the Linga is placed) with the largest circumference. Brahma lost his creative powers because of his inability to comprehend the meaning of the pranava mantra 'om'. On Parvathy's advice, Brahma installed and worshipped a Shiva Linga to regain his powers. In order to perform the ritual of 'Abishekam' (anointing), Brahma created a waterbody, which came to be known as 'Brahma Theertham'. Since Brahma is four faced, The Lingam created by him too had four faces and it was known as 'Chatur-Mukha Lingam'. 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' and 'Vimanam'. He consecrated the Shiva Linga that exists now. The presiding deity of the temple is known as 'Vruddhapureeswarar' or 'Pazhamainathar' (both meaning ancient) due to the ancient origin and association with Brahma's worship at this sacred location.
The temple features an impresive east facing rajagopuram, which stands at a height of 65 feet. 'Brahma Theertham' is adjacent to the temple. On either side of the gateway are two sannidhis, one for Dandapaani and the other for Vallabha Ganapathy. As we enter the prakaram through the gateway we can see west-facing sannidhis for Surya (the planetorial god for sun) and Bhairavar in the right and a sannidhi for chandra (the planetorial god for moon) in the left.
Vallabha Ganapathy and Dandapaani on either side of the gateway
Passing through the 'Sabha Mandap', 'Maha Mandap', and Artha Mandap', we can see the east-facing sanctum of the presiding deity Vruddhapureeswarar. Both the 'Aavudayar' (the circular pedestal on which the Linga is placed) and the Nandi are of significant size. This is the second largest Lingam compared to the Lingam in Brahadeeswara temple, Tanjore. There are 14 other Shiva Lingams inside the temple, one each for the 14 Paadal petra Shivasthalam in Pandya Naadu and so Tirupunavasal is equivalent to visiting all 14 of them.
Legend has it that 'Yama' (the God of death) and his messengers are unable to enter the boundary of Tirupunavasal. Mahavishnu, Brahma, Indra, Surya, Chandra, Yamadharma, sages Vasishtar and Agasthiyar have worshipped the presiding deity. The prakaram surrounding sanctum houses sannidhis for Pancha Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, sthaala Vinayaka, Valli Deivanai along with Muruga, Brahma, Chandikeswarar and Gajalakshmi. Instead of LingothBhava which is usually seen on the wall behind the sanctum, here at this temple there are Mahavishnu and Hanuman. The east-facing sannidhi of the female deity Karunai Nayaki is to the left of the sannidhi of the presiding deity. In a cavernous chamber across the sannidhi of the female deity is the Sannidhi of Kali. Within this chamber Kali's fearsome visage can be glimpsed through a reflective mirror.
Tiruppunavayil is believed to have been in existence in all the four Yugas referred to by different names in each Yuga. Consequently there are four 'sthala vruksham' within the temple. A disregarded variety of cactus known as 'chatura kalli' was the 'sthala vruksham' in Kruthayuga indicating that in the eyes of God every being is equal. In Kruthayuga this place was known as Vajravanam or Indirapura. In Threthayuga it was called Brhamapura with 'kurunda' (wild orange) as 'sthala vruksham'. In Dwaparayuga, it was known as 'Vrudhakasi' with 'magizha' (intermedlar tree) as sthala vruksham and in Kaliyuga, it is referred to as pazhampathi with the 'punnai' (mastwood) as sthala vruksham. The four sacred vedhas worshipped the deity here and the four trees are said to represent the four Vedas. Lakshmi Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Indra Theertham, Chakra Theertham, Surya Theertham, Chandra Theertham, Sivaganga Theertham, Kalyana Theertham, Varuna Theertham, and Bambaru which flows south of the temple are the 10 sacred water bodies associated with the temple.
Vallabha Ganehsa
Dhandayuthapaani
Dwajasthambam
Mahavishnu and Hanuman
Vimanam
Prakaram
Magnificent Nandi
Chandikeshwara
Pancha Vinayaka
Goddess Karunai Nayaki