It is a south VAIGAI RAMESHWARM THIS IS THE OLDEST TEMPLE OF LORDSIVA
Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple, located at Tiruppuvanam, 20 kms from Madurai is a Padal Petra Sthalam - padigams by Saint Appar, Saint Sundarar & Saint Gna Sambhandar.. There are 278 Padal Petra Sthalams (Sung by Great Saivaite Saints (Appar, Sundarar, Gna Sambhandar & Manickavachakar). Moolavar : Pushpavaneswarar, Poovanathar, Pitru Muktiswarar; Ambal : Soundaranayaki; The specialty of this place is that it was worshiped and adored by the three kings of Tamil Nadu, the Cholas and the Pandyas.The temple faces east with a 5-tiered Rajagopuram. When Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple , he had to cross the Vaigai River to reach the temple at the other side of river. All the sand in the Vaigai River gave him the appearance of a Shivalinga. As he had to tread on the sand which looks like Shivalingams if he wants to cross the river, the Saint sang padigam from the place he was standing.. Nandi hid to see the Lord from this side of the river. Lord Poovanathar ordered Nandi to lean slightly to the left, covering his shrine. Nandi also tilted his head and body. Thirugnanasambandar also worshiped the Lord Nandi, who leaned slightly to see Sambandar, can still be seen leaning today. The place where the trio sang Thevaram from the other side of the Vaigai River is called "Moovar Mandapam".This hall is located near the Madappuram Bhadrakaliamman Temple . As per legend, A dancing girl named Ponanaial was a staunch devotee of Shiva and her aim in life was to make an idol of Shiva made of gold. She was not able to accomplish due to lack of funds. Pleased by her devotion, Shiva appeared in the form of metallurgist named Rasavathi who converted iron, bronze and aluminium to make the golden idol. Impressed by the beauty of the idol, Ponanaial pinched the cheeks of the idol, which is believed to be the mark in the idol. As per another legend, one Darma Yegnan was carrying his father's ashes from Varanasi(Kasi) to Rameswaram and enroute stayed here for a while. His friend opened the pot of ashes and found to his surprise flowers in the pot. When they reached Rameswaram, it turned to ash again.When he returned to Tiruppuvanam, he found flowers again ! Hence this place is considered to be holier than Kasi as per the proverb : " veesam more than Kasi". The lingam in the temple is believed to have been self-manifested and was worshipped by Surya, Dharmaraja ,Nala, Chandra, Thirasanan, Brahma and Vishnu. Since Shiva appeared under Parijatha tree, the presiding deity came to be known as Pushpaveneswarar.There are 5 Theerthas in the temple. Must have darshan.
The temple is well ancient and artistic. The temple is sung in devaram by thirunavukkarasar. It was also one of the holy place were lord Shiva gives mukthi to the athmas. It is also a thiruvillaiyadal stallam. And also suriya Chandra worshipped stallam
For last ritual process, this temple is famous. It's equal to Rameshwar , Kaasi . People around Madurai will come and do the prayers for their ancestors. Not enough space for car parking infront of temple.
Peacful temple.
