Sri Purushothaman Perumal Temple (Thirukkarambanoor)

Sri Purushothaman Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India.

It has shrines of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in the same complex, making this a unique temple with shrines for all three gods and their consorts in the same place. There are very few temples where Brahma, the first of the trinity, is worshipped in statue form, which makes this temple an important place of worship.

The Purushothaman is sung by Thirumangai Alvar and hence this is one of the 108 Divya Desams.

thala Puranam (Legend)

It is said that both Sivaperumaan and Brahma devan had 5 heads. But, Lord Shiva was angry on Brahma Devan that he too had five heads. Because of this anger, he plucked one of his head from his body and was caught by "Brahmagardhi Dhosham". Because of this, he lost of his wealth and started beg for food using the Kabaalam. Because of this, Lord Shiva is called as "Picchai Aandavar".

He was given the Sabham that he can get rid of this sin only if the Kabaalam is completely filled-up with food. From then, Lord Shivan visited all the Divyadesams to get out of his sin. At that time, he was offered food by Sri Mahalakshmi and the Kabaalam was filled completely with food and from then, he got out of his "Brahmagardhi Dhosham". This is the Sthalapuranam said here.

Since, Emperumaan, Prushothaman gave Prathyaksham for Kadhamba Munivar, this Kshetram is also called as "Kadhamba Kshetram".

Kadhambam means mixture of things. Both Shiva and Vishnu are found in the same temple and explains that there should be no difference between Vaishnavas and Saivas and but at the same time they should be devoted in a single minded way. So, this Kshetram is also called "Kadhamba Kshetram".

In this sthalam only, Sanaga, Sananthana and Sanath brothers are given the first teachings on Saivams and at the same time Prathyaksham for Maarkandeya Maharishi. This also shows how the unity is explained.

Emperumaan, Sriman Narayanam is named as "Uthamar" and Lord shiva is named as "Pikshandanar".

In Aavani and Chithirai month, grand utsavams are done. Marriages of bhakthas are also done in this temple.

This sthalaperumal is Purushothaman (Purushan + Uthaman). Purushan means husband and Uthaman means a person who behaves and likes his wife and doesn't even think of other women. Sri Ramar is the best example for Uthaman and he is said to be "Eaga Pathini Vridhan". So this sthalam is named as "Uthamar Koil" and Emperumaan is called as "Uthaman".

This Kadhamba sthalam is the place where Gnana Thathuvam (explanation of Gnana) and the explanation of Aanma Gnanam was explained.

Doing pooja in Naga linga flower is one of the speciality in this temple and it is said to eradicate all the problems in our life.

The main moral which is explained in this sthalam is Lord Shiva who is the King of Kailayam, after getting jealous on Brahma devan lost all his wealth and begged for food. So, we should not have jealous on others, but should be happy with what we have.

Trivia

# Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma who are collectively called as Mum Murthy are said to found here in this temple.
# Nagalinga Poo (flower), which is one of the famous and rare flower is found here and this is the special flower here to do poojas in this temple.

References

* [http://www.divyadesamonline.com/hindu/temples/trichy/tirukarambanor-temple.asp About the temple]
* [http://www.srivari.com/chozhatirupathigal/tirukkarambanur.htm Stala Puranam]