Aatkondanathar Temple, Iraniyur, Sivaganga
Aatkondanathar
Temple is 25 kms from Karaikudi on the Pillaiyarpatti road, near
Keelasivalpatti. It is one of the 9 Kovils of the Nagarathar Community. It is
located at Iraniyur. This Kovil has got its name as Vishnu worshipped Lord
Shiva after killing Iraniyan. This Kovil is famous for its architectural
marvel. The Iraniyur temple is said to be nurtured by a Nagarathar belonging to
subsect of the Illayathangudi temple, the Thiruvetpurkudiyar. His younger
brother agreed to take care of the Pillaiyarpatti temple. As a result, no
marriage is permitted between members of Irani Kovil and the Pillaiyarpatti
temple.
Legends
Lord
Narasimha incurred a dosha for killing demon Hiranya. He worshipped Lord
Shiva here for relief. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Lord Narasimha and
cleansed him of his dosha. As requested by Vishnu stayed here in the name
of Aatkonda Nathar. He is also praised as Narasimheswarar for the relief he
granted to Lord Narasimha.
The
Temple
Lord
Aatkonda Nathar is a swayambumurthy. We believe in the tradition of
worshipping the Vimana and Towers of the temple respecting them as the very
deity inside when the doors of the temple are closed. The temple has the
wonderful structure facilitating darshan of the deity and also the Vimana
simultaneously from the front mandapam. People celebrate their 60th and
80th birth days here. Special abisheks are performed to Lord on Masi Magam
star day in February-March.
Mother
Shivapurandevi graces the devotees with two hands only facing south. When
Lord Vishnu took the Narasimha incarnation in a furious form, Ambica, sister of
Lord Vishnu also became furious which reflected at nine spots in pillars in the
mandapam in front of the shrine, the symptoms visible even now. There is
also an Ashtalakshmi Mandap in the temple.
Lord
Bhairava in the shrine near that of Ambica appears with long side teeth with his
dog vahana turning left. Karthika Champaka Sashti festival is dedicated to
him in November-December. He graces from the sanctum sanctorum for six
days during this festival and taken in a palanquin procession. Students
pray to Lord Bhairava for achieving high ranks in studies. Lord
Dakshinamurthi graces in the goshta mandapam shouldered by 4 lions.
Kubera
the lord of wealth and Vayu Bhagwan had worshipped in this temple according to
the history of the place. Both appear on a Horse Vahanam. There are also
shrines for Navagrahas the nine planets and Mother Gajalakshmi. As this is
the place where Lord Shiva helped Lord Vishnu cleansing his dosha for killing Iraniyan,
the place is named Iranianur.
This is
the one of the Ashta Bhairava Sthalas. Sri Vithaka Vinayaka is the Sthala
Vinayaka. The Vimana the tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of one petal
type - Ekadala Vimana. Against the general tradition of Lord Muruga appearing
with his consorts Valli and Deivanai together on a peacock Vahana, quite
differently, the three grace the devotees separately sitting on their own
peacocks.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Festivals
Karthikai
Champaka Sashti and Tirukarthikai in November-December; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai
in December-January and Maha Shivrathri in February-March are the festivals
celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People
with high temperament pray here to correct themselves. Devotees also pray
for security of job, high yield in farming and progress in business. Devotees
offer Vadamalai to Lord Bhairava and perform abishek to Lord and mother
offering vastras.
Contact
Sri
Aatkondanathar Temple,
Iraniyur,
Sivaganga District
Tamilnadu
– 623 212
Phone: +91 – 4577 – 265
645
Mobile: +91 – 98424
80309.
Connectivity
The
devotee has to reach Tiruputhur from Madurai (60 km) on the Thanjavur road. He
then has to travel further 12 km from here to Keelasivalpatti for which bus
facility is available. Iraniyur is 4 km from Keelasivalpatti. As bus facility
is rare, autos may be hired. Nearest railway Station is located at Karaikudi
and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.
