This Paadal Petra Sthalam is about 10 kms north-west of Kumbakonam. From Kumbakonam, travel up to Puliancheri on the Swamimalai road and from there take the turn towards Innambar and continue further to reach this temple. Google map code - NCN046.
Presiding Deity: Punnaivana Nathar, Saakshi Nathar
Ambal: Karumpadu Solli
Theertham: Brahma theertham
Temple Tree: Punnai (Mastwood, Calophyllum inophyllum)
Temple Puranam:
During the time of deluge, this sthala is believed to have survived the floods and was an exception among the rest of the submerged land, hence, the name Tiruppurampayam.(puram means outside in tamil). During the deluge, the seawater approaching this sthala were subdued inside the well in this sthala by the grace of Vinayaga. Hence, Vinayagar in this sthala is known as Pralayam Kaatha Vinayagar.
This sthala is one of the twenty-four important sthalas of Dakshinamurthi. It is in this sthala that the Sanakathi sages (i.e. the four sages) are said to have listened to the exposition of Dakshinamurthi.
Once, a trader by name Dhanaguptan went to Madurai to visit his uncle who was on deathbed due to an illness. Uncle requested him to marry his daughter Ratnavalli, as per the request Dhanaguptan married her and before leaving for Madurai, they stayed in this sthala overnight. Unfortunately, a snake bit him and he died. Ratnavalli, a staunch devotee of Siva was deeply upset and prayed to Lord to help her. The mighty Lord appeared in the form an expert physician of curing snake bites and revived Dhanaguptan by removing the venom. The delighted couple proceeded to Madurai, but his first wife did not accept the marriage and also abused Ratnavalli for cheating. Once again Ratnavalli appealed to Siva and the ever gracious Lord once again appeared in Madurai along with the Vanni(temple tree), Well (temple well) and testified as witness to Ratnavalli's marriage with Dhanaguptan. Since the Lord Himself came as witness, He is called as Sakshinathar (Sakshi means witness in tamil)
Brahma offered worship in this sthala and hence the theertham is known as Brahma theertham.
Special Features:
1. Vinayaka in this temple is white in color, during Vinayaka Chathurthi festival, copious amount of honey is offered as Abhishekham to Him.
2. The idols of Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar, Sages Agastya, Pulastya, Sanaka, Sanadana and Viswamitra are found in the circumambulatory passage with the lingas they worshipped.
3. The Ambal shrine is in the second circumambulatory passage.
4. A shrine for Sattainathar is found near the Dakshinamurthi shrine above the temple tank.
5. The annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Maasi and the annual Vinayakar festival is observed in the Tamil month of Avani. Karthikai Deepam, Arudra Darsanam, Vishu, Aadipooram, Navarathiri, Skanda Shasti and Thaippoosam are celebrated here.
Sung by : Sambandar:II:30, Appar : VI: 13, Sundarar :VII: 35