Introduction
Man differs from the animals because of his intellect. A disrobed man is a half a human being. Man is distinguished from animals only through his dress, cooked food, education, science and spirituality. Even as the living creatures are elevated from the fifth sense to the sixth sense an Institution is necessary like wise to elevate man from the sixth sense to a higher stage. Hence the temple act as a social institution to elevate man to God head. That is why people follow a religion and worship God.
Through out the world followers of many religions either worships the apostles of God or Religious heads. But Hindu’s worship only the idols of God and lead a Godly life.
Hinduism is not a religion. It is a symbol of the growth of Human civilization. A new dimension of a sixth sense of worship of God is not due to fear, but a realization of the growth of matured intellect. The images of Gods have not been carved into indiscriminately. They have been conceptualized by our Forefathers only after a deep sense of reasoning.
Revamp of Hinduism in Tamil Nadu
Before the 7th century AD in Tamil Nadu, Jainism and Buddhism were the dominated religions. During that period the four great Saivaite Quartet restores the pristine glory of Saivism. They traveled far and wide in the Pandya kingdom extolling and singing the glory of God. There are 14 Shrines where there songs are available. These 14 Shrines in the Pandiya Kingdom are known as Pandi-14.
Amongst the 14 Shrines, Madurai, the Capital of the Pandiya Kingdom is the most ancient. But the city was ravaged due to the war of Lord Indra, the curse of Kannagi, which consumed Madurai, and the spate in the river Vaigai was brought back to life again and again but the only Shrine which maintains its ancient glory is Thiruppuvanam. It is said that Goddess Parvati, to expiate from her sin, sat under the Parijatha Tree for Penance.
Thiruppuvanam is situated nearby the Holy Madurai City. It is in the Madurai-Rameswaram National Highway and 18 k.m. away from Madurai. As like Madurai, this city is also situated in the southern bank of river Vaigai.
Thiruppuvanam in Puranas
Indian Puranas are classified into 18. Among them, one purana is named as Prema Kaivartha Puranam. In it, in twenty episodes, the glories of the Thiruppuvanam are narrated. And it was translated in the Tamil Language and named as “Thiruppuvanap Puranam” by Kandasamy Pulavar. It consists of 1437 poems in 20 chapeters. In the earlier years, these poems were written in Palmb leafs. Later this was printed in papers during March 1896 (more than 100 years ago) in the Hindu Theological Printing Press at Chennai. The book contained 246 pages in demy size.
More over the glories of Thiruppuvanam are narrated in 3 episodes in Thiruvillaiyadar Puranam of Paranjothi Munivar.
History of the Siva Linga
The Goddess Parvati had intended to visit the Yaga done by his father for which no invitation was given to her Husband Parameshwara. SHE was banned to attend the Yaga. But SHE argued and quarreled with Her Husband and moved to yaga. This type of known mistakes (argument and quarreling with husband) became as sin on Her. SHE worshiped the Lord Siva to remove the sin at Thriuappuvanam. There a Siva Lingam emerged beneath of Parijatha tree and dispelled the Sin of Parvati and for others who worhsips Him to dispel from the sins.
Glories of the Lingam
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It is said by Paranjothi Muniver in Thiruvillaiyadal Puranam that the Siva Lingam in Thriuppuvanam is in the compressed form of the total Universe.
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The Sun worshiped this idol to acquire powers to be a Master among all planets.
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This is the Holy Spot where Lord Brahma was rid off his willful sin.
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Mahavishnu acquired the Weapon (Chakra Ayutham) to kill Jalanthran
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Goddess Kali worshiped the Sivalinga in this shrine
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Thiranasanan attained Salvation and the Sinner Thunmanjyan likewise was absolved of his sin in this place.
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The sacred ash brought in a Urn by the Brahmin Tharmagnanan transformed into flowers
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Uthpalangi, a girl was blessed with a good husband and lived as a “Sumangali”
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It is the holy place, where willful commission of all our sins are absolved
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The sins of Sengamalan was absolved in this holy place.
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The curse of Goddess Laxmi was dispelled in this holy place.
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This is Holy place where Parvati did penance to attain the blessings of God.
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This is the holy place where the ancestors of king Suchothi came in person to receive the rice balls (Pindam)
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A shrine of Holy waters (one river and five ponds)
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A shrine where a frog named Jalanthiran was transformed into Monarch.
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The holy shire where adversities of the Kaliyuga were transformed to King Nala who attains mental peace
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The Holy place where the Sages Manthyanthina and Thyanakatta received the holy benediction from Lord Shiva.
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Kewara (Thalamboo) flower (which was in the head of the Lord Siva) worshiped Lord Siva to absolved of the sin for having uttered a lie.
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The Chera, Chola and Pandya (The Three Kings of Tamil Nadu) came together and offer worship in this place.
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ThiruGnana Sambandar, Appar, and Sundarar have visited this place, worshiped the lord and offered songs on the glory of HIM.
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The Holy Shrine where Manickavasagar has offered songs on Thiruppuvana Nathar.
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The Holy Place where Karur Thever Sang the Thiruvisaipa
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The Holy Place where a song of Arunagiri Nathar‘s Thirupugazhal glorifies the shrine.
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The Holy Place where the Lord Siva came in the form of a Siddhar and performed alchemy and displayed His leela.
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Holy place where Ponnanayal received the holy blessings
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The Holy Place where the Korakka Siddher and Kathirikkai Siddhar still live in Jeeva Samathi.
Temple
The Siva Linga is older than the past three eras (three Ugas). The Karuvarai mandapam was built before 7th Century. Artha Mandabam and Maga Mandapam were build during 7th to 13th Centuries. The Lord Siva is named as Pushpavaneswarar . The Goddess is named as Soundara Nayaki.
A Perumal Temple is situated very near to this Siva Temple. The Alagiya Manavalap Perumal with Sri Devi and Poomi Devi in a standing posture showering their blessings on the devotees.
Location
The city Thiruppuvanam is situated in the north bank of the Vaigai River and 18 k.m. away from Madurai in Rameswaram National Highway. The Railway line from Madurai to Rameswaram also passes through this city.
This book has been written for the benefit of the public to visit and receive the blessing at Thiruppuvanam where one of the ancient Shrines where Lord Siva and Goddess are the presiding deities who shower the blessings of the devotees.
THIRUCH CHITRAMBALAM
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