Swarnapureeswarar Temple

The Swarnapureeswarar Temple is located in Somponpalli and is dedicated to God Swarnapureeswarar. This place has a unique history behind it. As the puranas tell us Daksha, son of Brahma gave his daughter Dakshayani to God Shiva in marriage much against his wishes. He therefore intentionally failed to invite God Shiva for a yajna he was to perform. Mother Dakshayani wanted to correct Her father by going to the yajna. Blinded by arrogance and pride, Daksha humiliated his own daughter and Her God. A furious Dakshayani cursed her father that his yajna would not go on. She also prayed to Her God to destroy the yajna. God Shiva then created Veerabhadra, Badrakali and others to destroy the yajna along with Daksha. Dakshayani to wash off Her sin as the daughter of a Shiva opponent performed penance in the site where the temple stands today. She sat with five types of Agni (fire) around her. The God, pleased with Her penance, named Her Sugantha Kundalambikai and took Her to bless devotees along with Him in the temple. It is noteworthy that Sri Mahalakshmi too performed penance on God Shiva at this temple to win the hand of Vishnu as Her God. Hence, the place has the name Lakshmipuri. It is also called Indirapuri as God Indira worshipped God Shiva here to get the weapon Vajrayutha to kill demon Vruddhasura. The third name of the place is Kandapuri as God Muruga worshipped God Shiva to destroy the demon Tharakasura.