Kaya Nirmaleswarar Temple, Attur, Salem
Sri Kaya
Nirmaleswarar Temple is located in the Attur Fort region near Attur town in
Salem District of Tamilnadu. This is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams
installed by Vasishta on the banks of the Vasishta River representing Fire
(Agni) element.
The main
deity is a Swayambu lingam in the name of Kayanirmaleswarar / Vasishteswarar
with Goddess Akilandeswari. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree in this Temple &
Theertham is Vasishta in this Temple.
Legends
Sage Vasishta,
Kula Guru of Lord Rama was here for while intending penance and pujas to Lord
Shiva. He had to face obstacles. Maharshi Narada advised the sage to
perform his penance and pujas with water and flowers. The sage created a
river named after him – Vasishta Nadhi. He then began to find a suitable
spot for the pujas. His legs stuck at a place and he found something above
the ground in the form of a Shiva Linga just coming out.
When he
was preparing the pujas, he found the object slightly damaged caused by the hit
of his leg. He was annoyed. A voice told the sage that he could
continue the pujas and a miracle will happen when he showed the Aarati. It
happened. When the sage showed the Aarati, it reflected on the
Shivalinga. That miracle light drove the illusions of those who disturbed
his penance.
The sage
begged Lord to stay there itself and drive the illusion darkness in people’s
mind. Lord obliged. Kayam means body, here the body of Lord. Nirmalam
means clarity. Thus Lord Shiva assumed the name Kaya Nirmala
Easwarar. The temple began to grow with the pious services of kings,
chieftains and devotees. It is standing majestically in size and fame
today.
The
Temple
The five
tier Raja Gopuram with its glorious Shiva Mudra stands majestically drawing the
devotees. Reaching the sanctum sanctorum after Nandhi Darshan, despite the
dim light inside, Lord appears clear and bright to the eyes of the devotees
especially during the Aarati puja as if reflecting in a mirror. It is
rather the light in the heart of true devotees reflecting on the Lord, or it
means that the dark heart becomes bright by the grace of Lord.
Mother
Akhilandeswari is all merciful gracing the devotees with her four hands. Devotees
throng the shrine seeking wedding and child boons. As Lord granted darshan
to sage Vasishta in the form of a Jyoti, the place is revered as Agni
Sthala. Darshan representing the other elements of universe, Appu, Vayu,
Akasha and earth are in the surrounding places.
Lord
Vinayaka offers darshan to the devotees in many forms in the prakara in many
names. Besides their darshan in the sanctum sanctorum, Lord and Mother,
graces as Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi as in Their Kailash abode. Lord Muruga
appears in two forms as Bala Muruga and Muruga with His consorts Valli and
Deivanai.
Lord
Bhairava graces as Chaturbhuja (4 hands) Bhairava, Ashtabhuja Bhairava (8
hands) and Swarna Akarshana Bhairava, thus all Gods appear in different forms
in the same temple. There are also shrines for Mothers Mahalakshmi, Durga &
Maha Saraswathi, Dakshinamurthi, Lingodhbava, Brahmma, Ayyappan, planets Sun
and Sani Bhagwan, Nagas and Naga Kannikas. Sri Anjaneya from his shrine
appears as if blessing the devotees.
It is a
wonder to see the Aarati Deeparadhana reflecting on the Shiva Linga as if in a
mirror. As Lord granted darshan to Sage Vasishta in the form of a Jyoti, the
place is revered as Agni Sthala.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Besides
fortnightly Pradosha and Somawar (Monday) pujas, the temple celebrates Maha
Shivarathri in February-March in a grand way.
Prayers
People
pray to Lord and Mother for wedding and child boon. Realizing their wishes,
devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and light ghee lamps in the shrines.
Connectivity
This
temple is located very close to Attur bus stand. Attur lies on NH
79. Attur is well connected with other cities & towns.
It is located on NH-68. Three State highways originate from Attur; SH – 30 Attur
– Thuraiyur – Musiri, SH – 79 Attur – Rasipuram – Erode, SH – 157 Attur – Perambalur.
Attur is
well connected with Salem on the east (north-east) at 45 kilometres on the
Salem – Ulundurpet via Kallakurichi NH 68 which in turn connects to Chennai
through arterial NH 45 at Ulundurpet and NH 47 (Salem – Kanyakumari via
Coimbatore, Cochin, Trivandrum)at Salem with a number of bus routes.
Attur
town have two bus stands. Attur is well connected by bus services to Salem,
Coimbatore, Chennai, Trichy, Erode, and Pondy. Train services are also available
between Attur to Salem, Attur to Virudhachalam and Salem – Chennai Egmore
express train runs via Attur. Pondicherry – Bangalore AC express train is
expected to run shortly and runs via Attur.
Newly
proposed route to Ariyalur via Perambalur will turn Attur railway station to
Attur Junction. Land acquisition has been done and stopped due to insufficient
funds. There are direct buses to Coimbatore via Avinashi.
Attur is
landlocked and depends on the Port of Chennai for most oceangoing freight. Nearest
airport is Trichy which is 120 km away from the town. Chennai airport is
264 km from Attur.