Brahmapureeswarar Temple is a Shiva shrine located at Seerkazhi (also, Sirkali) in
Thanjavur District. The presiding deity here is Brahmapureeswarar and the goddess, Thirunilainayaki. There are other deities called Tiruthoniyappar and Sattanathar. The temple has four tall gopurams (tpwers)on each side with a high boundary wall. The temple has a
theertham known as Brahma theertham. Many saints like Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar have sung in praise of this temple and its deity.
According to legends, when Sambandar was three years old, he accompanied his father to the temple. The father Sivapatha Iruthayar, immersed himself in the temple theertham and was lost in prayer. Young Sambandar became alarmed when his father did not surface for a long time and called out, "Ammah, Appah" (father, mother). When his father failed to appear, Sambandar started wailing. Then Lord Shiva appeared with the Mother Goddess who offered milk in a golden vessel to console Sambanthar. When Iruthayar emerged from the teertham, he saw milk smear at the corners of Sambandar's mouth. Spontaneously, little Sambanthar sang out a hymn in praise of Lord Shiva pointing in the direction of the temple. From that day he came to be known as Gnanasambandar.
The temple conducts six daily
pujas (worship), three in the forenoon and three in the evening. Brahmotsavam is a major festival that takes place in the Tamil month of Chithra. There are other festivals held for the Goddess, Gnanasambandar and Sattanathar. The temple is open from 6:00 till noon and later from 16:00 to 21:00 hrs.
The temple is close to the Seerkazhi Railway Station, located between Chidambaram and Mayavaram on the
Southern Railway network.
