Brahmapureeswarar Temple is a Shiva shrine located at Seerkazhi (also, Sirkali) in Thanjavur District. The presiding deity here is Brahmapureeswarar and the goddess, Thirunilainayaki. There are other deities called Tiruthoniyappar and Sattanathar. The temple has four tall gopurams (tpwers)on each side with a high boundary wall. The temple has a theertham known as Brahma theertham. Many saints like Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar have sung in praise of this temple and its deity.
This ancient shrine is an integral part of the popular big Sivan Tirukkovil built to perpetuate great events, visualising the glory of Lord Siva.
According to tradition, Lord Maha Vishnu after sending Bali Chakravarti to the nether world grew a little bit arrogant and moved about with pride. Not commendable in a way ! Does this bring honour to Him ? No. It is unbecoming on the part of a person of His status and powers. Apprehending unpleasant consequences, Siva assumed the form of hunter and humbled the pride making Him His target. It worked. Later penitent Vishnu requested the Lord to settle down here and wear the dear skin as mantle and bone as mace in token of the episode occurred; for they symbolize egoism and maya, which were subdued by His arrow. He agreed. So Lord Siva is called Sattanathar - Lord of the skin coat. As this happened here, it was deemed holy, and so a temple was constructed. It is called Brahmapureeswarar Tirukkovil. By royal patronage, it grew up into a major shrine of great importance. The Chola emperor Vira Rajendra and Venkatadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire diverted huge sums from their treasures to glorify it. It contains in its compound besides this, the famous Tirugnanasambandar's shrine next to Mother Parvathi's shrine. There is one more shrine for Uma Maheswar shrine in the first floor. It too has a long legend.
This Sattanathaswamy temple enshrining a Swayambhu linga lies in the heart of town., The spacious courtyards housing the three different shrines are enclosed by a high compound wall with four entrances. The principal deities adored are Brahmapureeswar, Tirugnana Sambandar and Tirunilai Nayaki - the local name of Mother Parvati and they are enshrined in three separate shrines each with a prakara and many Mandapams. The beautiful statues of Uma and Maheswar sculptured masterly are installed in a spacious shrine on the terrace. And they are extremely impressive. The image of Sattanathar is installed in a separate narrow niche, and to avail the darsan, one has to go bending head. There is a staircase on the northern side, taking the devotees to the top for Darshan. The terrace is called Tiruthonimalai, named for its boat shape and it too has a legend interesting.
It lies 30 km off Chidambaram enjoying bus and train conveniences.
This ancient shrine is an integral part of the popular big Sivan Tirukkovil built to perpetuate great events, visualising the glory of Lord Siva.
According to tradition, Lord Maha Vishnu after sending Bali Chakravarti to the nether world grew a little bit arrogant and moved about with pride. Not commendable in a way ! Does this bring honour to Him ? No. It is unbecoming on the part of a person of His status and powers. Apprehending unpleasant consequences, Siva assumed the form of hunter and humbled the pride making Him His target. It worked. Later penitent Vishnu requested the Lord to settle down here and wear the dear skin as mantle and bone as mace in token of the episode occurred; for they symbolize egoism and maya, which were subdued by His arrow. He agreed. So Lord Siva is called Sattanathar - Lord of the skin coat. As this happened here, it was deemed holy, and so a temple was constructed. It is called Brahmapureeswarar Tirukkovil. By royal patronage, it grew up into a major shrine of great importance. The Chola emperor Vira Rajendra and Venkatadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire diverted huge sums from their treasures to glorify it. It contains in its compound besides this, the famous Tirugnanasambandar's shrine next to Mother Parvathi's shrine. There is one more shrine for Uma Maheswar shrine in the first floor. It too has a long legend.
This Sattanathaswamy temple enshrining a Swayambhu linga lies in the heart of town., The spacious courtyards housing the three different shrines are enclosed by a high compound wall with four entrances. The principal deities adored are Brahmapureeswar, Tirugnana Sambandar and Tirunilai Nayaki - the local name of Mother Parvati and they are enshrined in three separate shrines each with a prakara and many Mandapams. The beautiful statues of Uma and Maheswar sculptured masterly are installed in a spacious shrine on the terrace. And they are extremely impressive. The image of Sattanathar is installed in a separate narrow niche, and to avail the darsan, one has to go bending head. There is a staircase on the northern side, taking the devotees to the top for Darshan. The terrace is called Tiruthonimalai, named for its boat shape and it too has a legend interesting.
It lies 30 km off Chidambaram enjoying bus and train conveniences.
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