This place is at a distance of about 28 kms from Mayiladuthurai on Mayiladthurai-Thiruvarur route, 18kms from Peralam, 12 kms from Thirupampuram, 35 kms from Thiruvarur and 25 kms from Kumbhakonam. This Padal Petra Sthalam was revered by Shaiva Saint Appar in his sacred hymns. This is on the southern bank of Kaveri and on the northern bank of Arisilaru tributary of Kaveri.
The original temple must have existed before the seventh century. Later on it was converted into a stone structure by Chola kings. This temple was maintained by Vijayanagara kings, Maratha kings and Nagarathars.
Moolavar: Shri Agnipureeshwarar, Shri Agnishwarar
Devi: Shri Gauri, Shri Parvati
Sacred Theertha: Agni Theertha
Sacred Vruksha: Shami tree
Puranik name: Thiruanniyur, Thiruvanniyur
Present name: Anniyur
Kshetra Purana:
1. King Daksha had invited everyone for the yagnya except his son-in-law and daughter (Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati). Lord Shiva advised Goddess Parvati not to attend the function but still she went to the yagnya against Lord Shiva’s advice. It was there that both she and her husband were insulted. Goddess Parvati jumped into the yagnya fire. Hence Veerabhadra and BhadraKaali punished those who attended yagnya on the orders of Lord Shiva. As Lord Agni had attended the yagnya, he was cursed by Lord Shiva to lose all his power so that he can not participate in any yagnya. As Lord Agni lost his power no yagnya could be conducted on the earth. This resulted in famine and hardship for all living beings. For an atonement for his mistake Lord Agni came to this place, created a theertha, made a Shiva linga, installed it and worshiped it with Shami leaves. By the grace of Lord Shiva, he got rid of his curse. Hence the place got the name Anniyur which in course of time became Vanniyur (Vanni in tamil means Shami). And Lord Shiva is known as Agnipureeshwarar. Theertha created by Agni is called Agni Theertha.
2. Goddess Parvati took birth as the daughter of Sage Katya to marry Lord Shiva. She did penance at this place and finally Lord Shiva appeared before her and blessed her. Later they married nearby Thiruveezhimizhalai.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Lord Brahma, Lord Agni, Sage Agastya, Sanath Kumar, Sanatan Rishis and Goddess Parvati.
Salient features:
1. On the walls of the outer mandap we find Brass-relief of Sthala Purana.
2. Dwarapalakas idols are small.
3. Near Goddess Durga’s shrine, there are some sculptures of Sages.
4. The Kshetra Vruksha is believed to be more than 1600 years old.
5. The rays of the Sun fall on Shiva Linga on eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth days in the Tamil month of Aavani and Panguni.
6. It is believed that the Ashtadikpalas are worshiped in eight nearby Shiva sthalam including Vanniyur.
7. There are two Chandikeshwarar idols in the temple.
About the temple:
The temple consists of the Sanctum Santorum, Antarala, Ardhamandap and an open Mukhamandap.
This is an east facing temple with a two tiered Rajagopuram and single prakaram. There is no Dhawajastambha. At the entrance we have Balipeeth and Nandi in the Nandimandap. The Swayambhu Linga is facing the east.
Koshta Murtis: Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Lingothbhavar, Lord Brahma and Goddess Durga.
In the prakaram we come across following shrines and idols - Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya with his consorts, Shaiva Saints Nalvar, a number of Shiva lingas, Lord Bhairava, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra and Lord Shanishwarar. There are two Chandikeshwarar idols in the shrine. We also come across in the prakaram Lord Somaskandar and Lord Nataraja. There are pancha murtis and they are very beautiful and famous. The Dwarapalakas at the entrance of Lord Shiva’s shrine are sculptured in stone. On the walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum there are idols of Shaiva Saint Appar, Lord Agni, Goddess Gauri, Shiva Linga, Celestial Cow Kamadhenu pouring milk on a Shiva Linga from its udder and Lord Rishabharudhar. They are placed in a single line. There are shrines of Lord Ganesha, Lord Balasubramanya and Goddess Gajalakshmi in the prakaram. The shrine of Nalvar is in the front mandap. The shrine of Ambika is to the right of Lord Shiva’s shrine. The idol of Goddess Ambika is small but very beautiful.
There are 8 temples around this place which are considered as the temples of Asthadikpalakas. It is considered to be very auspicious to worship at these temples. The temples are
Prayers:
1. Devotees worship at this place to get rid of obstacles in marriage.
2. Devotees worship Lord Shiva after taking a dip in Agni theertha to get rid of heat related problems and blood pressure ailments.
3. People worship here for the removal of Vastu dosha as this temple is a parihar sthala for Vastu dosha.
4. Devotees bring seven bricks to the temple before starting construction of the building. After performing the pooja they start building their house first with these seven bricks.
Poojas:
All daily rituals, pradosa pooja, special poojas on new moon and full moon days.
Important festivals:
Vaikasi (May-June): Vaikasi vishakham
Maasi (Feb-March): Mahashivaratri
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai deepam
Aipassi (Oct-Nov):Annabhishek
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh Chaturthi
Timings: 8 am to 12 noon, 5 pm to 8 pm
Address:
Shri Agnipureeshwarar Temple,
at post Vanniyur (Anniyur)
Taluka: Kudavasal,
District: Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu 612201
Contact of priest: Shri Ganesh Gurukkal - 91-4352449578
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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