Thalayatti Vinayakar Temple, Attur, Salem
Thalayatti
Vinayakar Temple is located in the heart of the Attur town in Salem District of
Tamilnadu. There were many rivers flowing in this region in the past, hence the
name Attrur – place of rivers. This changed as Attur in later
days. Lord Shiva graces nearby as Kaya Nirmaleswarar in another temple.
Legends
Sage
Vasishta performed penance in many places on the banks of River Vasishta. He
used to install a Linga for his Shiva worship at every place and earned his
grace. While praying here, the sage wished to have the Jyoti darshan as in
Thiruvannamalai. Lord appeared in the form of a Jyoti in the Linga the
sage installed and granted his desired darshan.
The
Linga got buried in sands in the days that followed. After several years
a chieftain Getti Mudali by name became the ruler of this region. Lord appeared
in his dream and said that he was hidden under the sands and directed him to
build a temple. The chieftain found the Linga and also a treasure. He
used the treasure to build the temple.
Before
commencing the construction of the temple, the chieftain sought the approval of
Lord Vinayaka. Lord himself was the supervisor of the construction. After
completion, the chieftain asked Lord Vinayaka whether he had done the job
well. Lord Vinayaka shook his head in approval. Thus, Lord Vinayaka came
to be praised as Thalayatti Vinayaka – Vinayaka shaking head right and left.
The
Temple
Lord
Vinayaka appears with his head siding on the left as if shaking right and left
– Thalayatti in Tamil.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Vinayaka
Chathurthi in August-September is grandly celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Those
facing adverse aspects of planets, problems in wedding proposals and children
affairs pray to Lord Vinayaka. Devotees perform special pujas to Lord offering
vastras.
Contact
Sri
Thalayatti Vinayakar Temple,
Attur-636
102, Salem district
Phone: +914282 320 607
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.