Aatkondeeswarar Temple, Peddanaicken Palayam,
Salem
Aatkondeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located in Peddanaicken
Palayam in Salem district. The temple in Peddanaickenpalayam is 40 km from
Salem on the Chennai Road.
Legends
Sage
Vasishta, during his pilgrimage on the banks of Vasishta River installed Lingas
at every place of his Shiva worship. The Linga in this temple is one among
them. This got buried in the sands in course of time. Lord Shiva
informed his presence in this place to a devotee in his dream. He found
the Linga on the bank of Vasishta River, installed it here and built the
temple.
The
Temple
Lord
Shiva made it known to all that Shiva and Shakti is but one inseparable from
each other and further established it by giving half of him to Mother Parvathi
and appears as Lord Arthanareeswarar. Ensuring the right of womanhood, he
appears on the trident the weapon of Shakti. This is a different style of
Arthanareeswarar form exclusively in the Paddanaicken Palayam Shiva temple. It
is believed that worshipping Lord Arthanareeswarar in this form will bring
unity in the family and those who had left the family would return back and
join the fold. Lord Arthanareeswarar-combined form of Shiva and Shakti appear
on a trident.
The
Avudaiyar – seat or Peeta on which Shivalinga is placed – is of lotus
design. Lord graces here with his third eye on the forehead. Lord is
praised as Aatkondeeswarar meaning he draws all towards him with his endless
grace and mercy. Mother graces the devotees as Akhilandeswari. Procession
deities are generally seen in sitting form. They are in standing posture
in this temple. It is explained that they honour the devotees coming to
worship them.
Sri
Vinayaka in the temple is praised as Lord Maha Ganapathy. The vimana above
the sanctum sanctorum is known as Dravida Vimanam. Pure rice is offered as
nivedhana to Lord. Lord Krishna with Mother Mahalakshmi graces from behind
the sanctum sanctorum. Lords Muruga, Bhairava, Navagrahas the nine planets
in standing form, Panchalingas, Sun, 63 Shiva devotees known as Nayanmars adore
the prakara from their respective shrines.
·
Moolavar: Aatkondeeswarar
·
Urchavar: Chandrasekhar
·
Amman /
Thayar: Akhilandeswari
·
Thala
Virutcham: Vilwa
·
Historical
Name: Brugan Nayaki Puri
·
Theertham: Vasishta River
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Chitra
Poornima in April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Aadi Pooram in July-August;
Vinayaka Chathurthi in August-September; Navarathri in September-October; Maha
Shivrathri in February-March and Sani Peyarchi-Saturn planet transition days
are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People
pray to Adhikara Nandhi and Pradosha Nandhi both in a single Mandap during the
pradosha time (4.30 p.m to 6.00 p.m.) for prosperity boon. Devotees
perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras. They also contribute for
temple renovation fund.
Contact
Sri
Aatkondeeswarar Temple,
Peddanaicken
Palayam, Salem district
Phone: +91- 4282 - 221
594
Connectivity
The
temple in Peddanaickenpalayam is 40 km from Salem on the Chennai Road. Town
buses are available from Attur also. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Peddanaickenpalayam & Nearest Airport is located at Coimbatore &
Trichy.
