Agnipureeswarar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli, about 145 km from Nagapattinam town.

Book and check

Official pages only. We do not sell darshan passes or tours.

• Temple pooja timings (Tamil Nadu HR&CE)hrce.tn.gov.in

Rules to know

• Oil anointing is not performed in this temple, unlike many other Shiva temples.

Why devotees come here

Agnipureeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple in Thirupugalur village, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped here as Agnipureeswarar, with his consort Parvathi as Karundar Kuzhali. The lingam in the sanctum is tilted, and a legend says Shiva bent for his devotees.

Agni, the fire deity, is said to have worshipped Shiva at this place, and the presiding deity came to be known as Agnipureeswarar. The temple tank is called Agni theertham. Banasura is believed to have dug up the linga here but could not lift it. The temple's sthala tradition also says that Agni did penance here and was freed from sin.

The temple is believed to have been built during the Chola period in the 10th century. It has inscriptions dating from Uttama Chola, whose reign is dated 970 to 985 CE. The five-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower, faces east. The temple also has an inner three-tier gopuram. A moat-like tank surrounds the temple, and Agni theertham is its main part.

The saint Appar is said to have attained union with Shiva here, and Murugar Nayanar was born here. The temple is listed as having lingas for the past, present and future times. A vastu story says Sundarar was given bricks that turned to gold at this temple. Devi Karundar Kuzhali is also believed to have helped at a childbirth here.

Tips for your visit

• Look for Agni theertham, the tank that lies in front of the east-facing gateway tower.
• The temple is listed as a remedial shrine (parihara sthalam) for people born under the Sathayam and Ayilyam birth stars.

Questions people ask