Athmanatha
Swamy Temple, Avudaiyarkoil,
Aranthangi, Pudukottai
Athmanatha
Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Avudaiyarkoil
Town in Aranthangi Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu. Avudaiyarkoil is
also known as Tiruperundurai. Presiding Deity is called as Athmanatha Swamy / Athmanatheswarar
/ Guruswamy / Paramaswamy / Athmanathar and Mother is called as Siva Yoga
Nayaki / Yogambal. Lord Shiva graces in three postures in this Temple as
formless, form-formless as the Kurundha tree and in form as
Manikkavasakar.
While
Shiva temples are generally facing east, Avudaiyarkoil temple is facing
south. As Lord Shiva plays the Guru part teaching Saint Manikkavasakar as
Lord Dakshinamurthy, the temple is facing south, it is explained. The
other Shiva temple facing south is Lord Kadambavana Nathar temple in Karur. Surprisingly,
the temple does not have Nandi, flagstaff, Balipeedam and Somaskandar is
conspicuously absent as both Lord and Mother are formless. And instead of
playing Nadaswaram, Melam and Berigai, the blowing of conch, ringing of bell
and Thiruchinnam is in vogue.
Contrary
to traditional absence of pujas in temples during eclipse time, it is otherwise
in Avudaiyarkoil temple conducting the six-time puja as usual even during such
occurrence. The philosophy is that eclipses cannot stop the pujas for
Shiva having no beginning nor an end – no Aadhi – no Andham. Manickavasagar
wrote Thiruvasagam, one of the sacred books of Tamil Saiva Siddhanta, in
this Temple. This Temple is considered as one of the Thiruvasaga Sthalams.
Legends
For brief details, please
refer below link;
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/athmanatha-swamy-temple-avudaiyarkoil-legends.html
History
For brief details, please
refer below link;
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/athmanatha-swamy-temple-avudaiyarkoil-history.html
The Temple
For brief details, please
refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon and from 04.00 p.m. to 09.00
p.m.
Festivals
The
annual festivals celebrated here are 10 days Aani Thirumanjanam and 10
days Margazhi Thiruvadhirai as in Chidambaram Nataraja Temple. In
both the above festivals, Saint Manikkavasakar occupies all prominence. This is
not just a festival for a Shiva devotee but is considered as one for Lord Shiva
as Manikkavasakar is respected as Lord Shiva himself.
The
last Monday of Karthikai month is very special, so Fridays in Aadi-July-August
and Thai month – January-February. Special pujas are offered to Lord on Aani
Magam star day in June-July, Shivrathri in February-March, Panguni Uthiram in
March-April, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Tirukarthikai in
November-December, Navaratri in September-October and Avani Moolam in
August-September.
Religious Significance
For brief details, please
refer below link;
Prayers
As
this is the sacred place where Lord Shiva himself was the Guru –Teacher
of Saint Manikkavasakar, devotees pray here for progress in
education and high academic pursuits. The beneficial power of
Jupiter – Guru further adds to their development. People also pray for
wedding and Child boons too. Boiled rice with its steaming condition is offered
as nivedhana to Lord along with other preparations Thaen Kuzhal and Adhirasam,
Appam & Vadai and with Arati. Usual abishek and aaradhanas are also
offered. Some arrange Annadhanam. Devotees offer liberally for the renovation
of the temple.
Contact
Athmanatha
Swami Temple,
Avudaiyarkoil,
Aranthangi,
Pudukkottai
District – 614 618
Phone: +91
4371 233 301
Mobile: +91 98947 31606 / 91598 54014 / 91598 53680
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 100 meters from Avudaiyar Koil Bus Stop, 14 Kms from
Aranthangi, 15 Kms from Aranthangi Railway Station, 23 Kms from Mimisal, 36 Kms
from Pudukkottai, 95 Kms from Trichy Airport, 105 Kms from Trichy, 129 Kms from
Madurai and 135 Kms from Madurai Airport. The Temple is situated on Aranthangi
to Mimisal Route. There are various bus operators providing bus service to
Avudaiyarkoil from all major places in Tamil Nadu.
Avudaiyar
Koil is well connected by bus service from Pudukottai and Aranthangi. The
devotee has to reach Aranthangi from Pudukkottai. Bus facilities are available
conveniently from Aranthangi to Avudaiyarkoil. Trains / Buses can be taken to
Trichy and regular buses are available from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located
at Aranthangi and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.