Arudra Kabaliswarar Temple

Arudra Kabaliswarar Temple

108 Shivalingas are carved on a single Linga in the temple. This is a very pleasing darshan to the devotees. In the Kottai division of Erode, Lord Thondeswara graces the devotees. The main tower (Rajagopuram) is an outstanding example of architectural beauty.

Sun God graces in the front hall (Mandap) with His consorts. Lord Kanni Vinayaka graces in the Southwest corner while the holy tree Vanni is at the west.

The temple has Pollapillayar with 63 Nayanmars in a sitting position. Lord Dakshinamurthy is near the Nayanmars. After passing through the Saptha Kannikas (Seven maidens) on the west, devotees can have the darshan of the paintings of Five Shivalingas representing five philosophies.

Moolavar	Arudra Kabaleeswarar, Thondeeswarar, Chedeeswarar, Chozheeswarar
Amman / Thayar	Varani Ambal
Thala Virutcham	Vanni tree
Old year	500-1000 years old
Historical Name	Thiru Thondeeswaram
City	Erode
District	Erode
State	Tamil Nadu

Sun worship

Sun worship is an important feature of the temple as He worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. During the last days of Masi (February-March), the rays of Sun penetrate into all the Mandap in the temple and fall on the Lord.

Sage Durvasa installed Lord Shiva here in a lying form (Pallikonda Kolam) in the temple. The Lord is also praised in the names of Thondeeswarar, Cheddeswarar, Chozheeswarar and Arudra Kabaleeswarar. Epigraphy mentions the temple as Thondeeswaram and the Lord as Thondeeswarar, Thondeeswaram Udaya Mahadeva, Thondeeswaram Udaya Thambiranar, Thondeeswaram Udaya Pidarar, Nayanar, Thondargal Nayanar, etc.

Due to the efforts of staunch devotees, the Tamil Archana book was brought and for the first time, Archana to Lord Shiva was performed in Tamil.

Majority of the devotees are from the weaving community praying for development of the industry besides general public praying for removal of obstacles in marriage alliances, for child boon and progress in education.

108 Shivalingas are carved on the single Shivalinga in the Arudra Kabaleeswarar temple. On 25, 26 and 27th days of Masi month February-March the rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity-Lord Shiva. This is the first temple in Tamil.

History

According to traditional stories, the temple was built by a king named Lakshmikanthan. Once he performed a yagna. The milk pots taken for the ceremony fell upside down when placed on the floor. When he dug the ground, he found blood oozing from the place due to the hit of the crowbars. The shocked king immediately built a temple on the spot.

Some of the Kongu Cholas who ruled this region had the name Karikala during the year 1004-1280 AD. It is believed that one such Karikala could have built this temple. One of the Karikala, with the help of one Samaya Mudali built 36 Shiva temples on the banks of Cauvery, according to one story.

A poor weaver Thandavan, living with his family in the area used to worship Lord Arudra Kabaleeswarar before proceeding to work. The Lord, with the intention of making the weaver’s devotion to Him known to all, went to his house when the weaver was absent. His wife alone was in the house. The Lord told her that He was suffering from biting cold and begged for a piece of cloth for cover. The woman told the Lord that she too had only one piece and promised what she could do for Him and asked his address. She was told that He would be outside the Arudra temple and left.

Sooner Thandavan returned after work, his wife told him what happened during his absence. The weaver rushed to his boss seeking a piece of cloth on credit promising to pay the price in installments and got the cloth. He took the cloth to the old man in the temple, gave it to Him.

When the temple priest opened the sanctum sanctorum the next morning, he was surprised to see a new piece of cloth on the Lord and the Parivattam was absent. He informed the matter to all in the place. All gathered there including the weaver boss who said that he gave it to Thandavan. Thandavan narrated what happened. None believed the poor man, tied him in a pillar and began to beat him. Lord Shiva possessed on the son of the village head and shouted. "Despite one’s own difficulties, he/she should not hesitate to help those poorer than them. To establish this Dharam, I acted through Thandavan," and explained what happened.

Devotees began to throng the temple to have the grace of Lord Arudra Kabaleeswarar.

Pooja Timings

The Five Kaala Pooja is conducted according to the Kaarana Nagama Pooja system.

Temple Opening Time:

Morning - 5.30 A.M. To 12.30 P.M.

Evening - 4.30 P.M. To 8.30 P.M.

Pooja Timings
Pooja	Timings
Ushakkala Pooja (Sun Rise Pooja)	06:00 A.M
Kaalasandhi Pooja	07:00 A.M
Uchikkala Poojaa (Noon Pooja)	12:00 Noon
Saayaraksha Pooja (Sunset Pooja)	06:00 P.M
Ardhajama Pooja (Night Pooja)	08:00 P.M

 Offering Fee Structure

Fees Structure
Details	Fees
Abishekam	RS.20.00
Archanai	RS.02.00
Milk Abishekam	RS.2.50
Vadai Malai	RS.5.00
Marriage Application	RS.5.00
irumudi	RS.10.00
Nichayathartham	RS.100.00
Pen Alaippu	RS.100.00
Mappliai Alaippu	RS.100.00
Marriage Fees	RS.200.00

Festivals

Mahasivarathri in February-March and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are important festivals celebrated in the temple.

The festivals of this temple are all the days of Ekadashi, Sankranti, Jalabhiseka, Shivrathri in February-March, Arudra Darshan or Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January, feeding of SaintGnanasambandar by Mother Parvathi in the month of Purattasi - September-October, Kartika Purnima, Akshaya Thrithiya, 10 days Panguni Surya puja in March-April, Masi Ratha Sapthami in Febuary-March, Deepavalli, Pongal, New year day, Aipasi Annabhishekam in October-November are clebrated with much devotion and dedication in the temple.

Contact
Arudra Kabaliswarar Temple,

Eswaran Koil Street,

Erode district- 638 001

Phone: +91-424-2267578

Connectivity

Bus Services:

This shrine is much always from the heart of the city but can be easily reached through bus and taxi.

Train Services:

Erode Junction is one of the major railway stations in Southern Railway and is located at 3 km from Erode Central Bus Terminus. There is an ISO certified diesel locomotive shed and an electric locomotive shed attached with Erode Junction. Erode Junction also had the distinction of being the third cleanest railway junction in India. Temple located within one km from Erode Junction.

Air Services:

Nearest Airport is Coimbatore.