Tirupattur temples - Brahma temple to rewrite fate

Tirupattur Brahma temple to change one's fate

Fate. Do you believe in it? Is it set forever or can it be changed? Can Brahma the creator, rewrite your fate? Worshipping Brahma at Sri Brahmapureeswarar temple at Tirupattur says yes - if such a change is possible. It can become a turning point in one's life.

Tirupattur (திருப்பட்டூர் ) is a small village on the Chennai-Trichy highway about 25 kms from trichy. Travelling from chennai, turn right to the service lane at sirunagar and travel 5 more kilometers to reach the temple. Accomodations, restaurants and all facilities are available in trichy. Other historic names for this place were Tirupidavur and Thirupadaiyur. Puranas quote Lord muruga on his way to vanquish Surapadman stayed here with his army (padai - battle). (Note: From Chennai, there are few buses that travel to Thirupathur [திருப்பத்தூர் ]  - this place is near vellore and not the one referenced in this article - see the difference in name in tamil text).

Sri Brahma

Story:

   தீதும் நன்றும் பிறர் தர வாரா (Theedum Nandrum pirar thara vaara) is a popular line given by Kaniyan pungundranar roughly translates to "What you sow is what you reap". Our thoughts decide whether actions end up good or bad. 
   
   Sri Arunagirinathar sings, இருவினைமு மலமுமற (Iruvaniyum mumalamumara) - free me from both good and bad deeds. Sri Kirupananda variyar quotes this beautifully as, does it matter if the handcuffs are made of gold or iron - you are still constrained by your thoughts and actions. 
   
   So keep your thoughts clear and clean. What can mess up your thoughts?  It is pride. Especially, when the "I" becomes too much and eccentric, one is bound to lose the good grace of God. Hence, the saints and siddhas took immense steps and meditation to get rid of this ego and fully surrender to the god.
   
   Ok, if a human destroy his ego, he can surrender to god and reach him. But what if God himself is full of this Ego? Such a pride occupied Brahma, the creator and his ego found no bounds. With pride, came arrogance and vanity. We can find solace that when human beings can have such pride, why not the creator himself? But, pride is a poisonous seed. It may be little, but it will spread and spoil the entire thought process and will affect the actions. 
   
   With constant thoughts on his supreme creation power, the ego spread like a virus and he was comparing with everyone establishing his supremacy. Once he argued with Lord Shiva, that i'm equal to you, why? i may be better than you as i'm the sole creator of all living things. I too have five heads like you and the power to go along, said Brahma with his Ego unconstrained. 
   
   The ever kind Lord Shiva, understanding that Brahma's ego gave way to this arrogance, decided to teach him and the universe a lesson.  With his hand, he plucked one of Brahma's head in an instant and cursed him to lose his creation power.
   

   Brahma was shocked and searched if all the heads were gone. Instantly, his ego disappeared and understood what a terrible mistake he made. This happened in Thirukandiyur  about 10 kms from Tanjore. Shiva here is called Thiru Kandeeswarar. 
   
   One understands the severity of the pain only when he gets it. Brahma with Ego, finally realized the punishment for his deeds and lost an head. He lost his only duty, which is creation. He cried and prayed to Lord Shiva to forgive him. He realized who is supreme and begged for his forgiveness. He was determined to get his Thejas back and resume his duty. He proclaimed, he'll go to all Shiva temples and worship till the Lord is pleased with his prayers and give him his power back.
   
   Without Ego and Pride consuming him, he set out with a clear mind praying to Lord Shiva and seeking his pardon. He traveled to many Shiva temples. Wherever he went, he created sacred ponds (theertham) to gather water and pray. Lord Shiva didn't seem to care. Understanding this may take a long time to cure because of his pride, Brahma continued his journey. 
   
   Finally he reached Tirupattur. He found a place where Magizham and Bilva trees were in full bloom. Nearby he saw a small river and took bath praying to the great god - he is out of his pride now and totally surrendered. God likes when we surrender unconditionally. Upon meditation, he started to establish Shiva lingas - 11 of them and did abhisheka and archana with the tree leaves. The Shiva lingas that were established were representative of various temples. The final and 12th lingam was Bramhapureeswarar lingam.
   
 The 12 siva lingams are:
   
  Sri Brahmapureeswarar - Presiding Deity 
  Sri Pazhamalai Nathar (Vrithachalam)
  Sri Pathala Eswarar 
  Sri Thayumanavar (Trichy)
  Sri Manduga Nathar 
  Sri Ekambareswarar (Kanchi)
  Sri Arunachaleswarar (Thiruvannamalai)
  Sri Kailasa Nathar  (Kailash)
  Sri Jambukeshwarar  (Thiruvanaikal)
  Sri Kalathi Nathar  (Kalahasti)
  Sri Sabthagereswarar  (Lalkudi)
  Sri Sudharaneswarar (Uttathur)
  

  Meanwhile the gods were worried what will happen when creation cease to exists on earth. Pleased with Brahma's prayers, Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvathi and Sivaganas appeared before him. Brahma pleaded for forgiveness and promised his ego is no more and he is a mere devotee. Sakthi instructed Brahma to commence creation duty immediately. Brahma was pleased he got the job back. Lord Shiva, wanted to do more and bless the devotees who come to worship him there. 
  
  He instructed Brahma to "Rewrite the fate of his devotees visiting this temple" (விதி இருப்பின் விதி கூட்டி அருளுக ).  Since Brahma's fate was changed here, the instruction was to bless the devotees and rewrite their fate for better if possible.

Temple:

  
  With Lord shiva as Brahmapureeswarar became the presiding deity, Sakthi took the form of Brahma  Sampath Gowri and resides in the shrine next to main deity. Brahma got his own shrine on the right of Brahmapureeswarar. There are few shrines for Brahma around the world. In this shrine, the Brahma's idol is huge and is in seated position (meditative). 
  
  When entering the shrines one normally stands on the side and worship the deity. For Brahma, it is recommended to pray him standing straight in front to get his blessings. Brahma is mostly covered in turmeric paste. 
  
  Other deities in the temple include Lord Shanmuganathar (Muruga), Dakshinamoorthy, Gaja Lakshmi, Kala Bairavar, Chandikeshwarar, Surya and Navagrahas.
  
  Next to the Brahma shrine, is the Jeeva samathi of Maharishi Patanjali (Yoga).  After worshipping Brahma, sit in this shrine and mediate peacefully.
  
  The Raja Gopuram is five-stage gopuram represents the presiding deity will bless as the pancha bootha (five elements). 

Tirupattur Brahma temple

  
  Hindus believe the merits and sins will follow us through many births. Praying to Lord Brahma may help rewrite the fate we incurred during previous births for good.
  

Credits:

If one can read in Tamil, i highly recommend the book written by V. Ramji - Tirupattur Arputhangal, from which i got some information for this post as well as various online sources and from personal visit.