Sri Swarnapureeswarar temple is located in the village named Semponnarkoil, in the district of Nagapattinam, in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. The main deity of this temple is Swarnapureeswarar (Lord Shiva) and his consort is Suguntha Kundalambikai. The festival deity of this temple is Somaskandar.
The holy trees of this temple are Vanni and Vilwam. The holy water of this temple is Surya Theertham. The agamam or pooja of this temple is known as Karana Agama. This temple is nearly 1000-2000 years old in this region. The historical names of this place are Lakshmipuri and indirapuri.
According to the Hindu religious pundits and scholars, “Lord of the temple is praised by Saints Tirugnana Sambandar and Tirunavukkarasar in their Thevaram hymns. Says Gnanasambandar, “No miseries would peep in to the life of those worshipping my Lord gracing from Semponpalli with Mother on His left and holding in His hand the Mazhu (axe) and His long hair glittering as golden thread. This is the 42nd Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.”
In Chithirai (April-May), the rays of Sun fall directly on the presiding deity for 12 days in the morning to mid-morning hours when special pujas and rituals are performed in the shrine. Soura Mahotsav is held on the ninth day of a car festival is celebrated. On a 16 petal lotus well-designed Avudayar-the peeta, Shivalinga is present in the temple. People from far and near visit this temple with lot of devotion and dedication.