Brahmapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in Tiruppattur near Trichy. Tirupattur is about 25 kms from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Worshippers believe that a person can change his fate by seeking the blessings of Lord Brahma at Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple. Since the fate of Lord Brahma was changed by Lord Shiva at Tirupattur, one can expect a turning point in life by praying at this temple. Contrary to general impression, there is more than one Lord Brahma temple in India. The temple is under the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Legend of Brahmapureeswarar Temple
According to mythological references, Lord Brahma had an overwhelming pride as the "Creator of the Universe". Lord Brahma felt that he was more popular than Lord Shiva since he had the supremacy of creation. This sense of pride provoked Lord Shiva, who destroyed Lord Brahma"s "Fifth Head" and also cursed him that he would lose his power of creation. To relieve himself of this curse, Lord Brahma started out on a pilgrimage of Lord Shiva Temples. During his pilgrimage, Lord Brahma visited this temple and installed 12 Shiva Lingams around Brahmapureeswarar and worshipped Lord Shiva here for a considerable time. Being moved by Lord Brahma`s prayers, Lord Shiva, on Devi Parvati"s request, gave him "Darshan" under the "Magizha Tree" and liberated him from the curse. Lord Shiva also restored the power and responsibility of creation to Lord Brahma. Lord Shiva also blessed Lord Brahma that he would have a separate shrine at this temple. He also advised Lord Brahma that since Brahma himself had his destiny rewritten here; he should rewrite the destiny of his devotees visiting this temple.
Structure of Brahmapureeswarar Temple
The presiding deities are Lord Brahmapureeswarar in the form of "Swayambhu Lingam" and Devi Brahma Sampath Gauri. The entrance has a Five Level colourful Raja Gopuram. There is a mandapam called "Nada Mandapam" in which the seven musical pillars are present. To the left of the Nada Mandapam, is the Brahma Samadhi. There are 7 entrances to cross over to reach the Samadhi. The idol of Lord Brahma is in meditative pose sitting in Padmasana on a lotus. Brahma is considered as the "Adi Devata of Guru Bhagavan" and therefore he is covered in turmeric paste. The turmeric is also given as "Prasadam". The Temple complex also has the Jeeva Samadhi of Yogi Patanjali, the author of "Yoga Sutras".
12 Shrines of Lord Shiva at Brahmapureeswarar Temple
There are 12 Shiv Lingams in the Temple complex, which includes the garden adjacent to the temple. These Shiva Lingams were installed and worshipped by Lord Brahma. Most of these Shiv Lingams are housed in separate shrines, which are situated around the "Brahma Theertham", a pond from which Lord Brahma took water for performing Puja to Lord Shiva. These 12 shrines of Lord Shiva which comprise the Brahmapureeswarar Temple complex are:
•Sri Brahmapureeswarar Presiding Deity
•Sri Pazhamalai Nathar
•Sri Pathala Eswarar
•Sri Thayumanavar
•Sri Manduga Nathar
•Sri Ekambareswarar
•Sri Arunachaleswarar
•Sri Kailasa Nathar
•Sri Jambukeshwarar
•Sri Kalathi Nathar
•Sri Sabthagereswarar
•Sri Sudharaneswarar
