Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirukkuvalai

Brahmapureeswarar Temple
Tirukolili
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictNagapattinam
DeityBrahmapureeswarar
FestivalsMaha Shivaratri
Features
  • Tower: Five-tiered
Location
LocationThirukkuvalai
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates10°37′53″N 79°43′13″E / 10.6314°N 79.7203°E / 10.6314; 79.7203
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture
Specifications
Temple(s)One
InscriptionsFound
Elevation35.6 m (117 ft)

Brahmapureeswarar Temple or Thirukolili is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thirukkuvalai in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Brahmapureeswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Vandamar Poonguzhali. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century-CE Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

There are many inscriptions associated with the temple indicating contributions from Cholas, Thanjavur Nayaks and Thanjavur Maratha kingdom. The oldest parts of the present masonry structure were built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century CE, while later expansions, are attributed to later periods, up to the Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16th century CE.

The temple house a five-tiered gateway tower known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Brahmapureeswarar, Somaskandar and Vandamar Poonguzhali being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls and three precincts. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and five yearly festivals on its calendar. The Nelatti festival where the paddy grains are transported from the temple to Thiruvaru is the major festival in the temple. The temple is now maintained and administered by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.