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Friday, June 17, 2016

Sri Aatkondeeswarar Temple, Peddanaicken Palayam, Salem

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.