Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Illupaikudi, Sivaganga
Thanthondreeswarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Illupaikudi Village in
Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. This temple is nearly 500 years old in this
region. The historical name of this place is Illupaivanam. It is one
of the famous Vairavar Temple is located in Illupaikudi Village, which 5 Kms
away from Karaikudi Town. Bhairavar is a special deity here, much worshiped in
the locality.
Legends
A Siddha
Yogi, Konganar by name in a place named Mathur used herbals and converted iron
into gold of 500 touch. He prayed to Lord Shiva to grant him the power to
further enhance the value to 1000 touch. Lord advised the Siddha to
worship Lord Bhairava in the Iluppai jungle to realize his will. Siddha
devotionally followed the advice. The gold thus produced by Konganar was
very bright. When he tried to take it out; the gold disappeared in earth
and reappeared as a Shivalinga. As the Linga appeared from a Jyoti, He
was named Swayam Prakaseswarar – Shining by Himself and Thanthondreeswarar –
one who appeared through Himself.
The
Temple
Presiding
deity is called as Thanthondreeswarar and Mother is called as Soundaryanayaki.
Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa. Theertham is called as Bhairavar Theppam. Aagama of
this Temple is Shivagama. Lord Bhairava in the temple is praised as Swarna Akarshana
Bhairava with twin dogs as his vahanam. He holds an Akshaya Patra – a bowl
that never exhausts of food and other prosperous things needed for a happy life
– instead of the traditional skull. It is said that the skull has changed
into this prosperous bowl as Lord Bhairava played alchemy to change iron into
gold.
Prayer
to him brings all wealth to devotees. The other significance is that he
has twin dog Vahanas, the one on the right is looking at the feet siting and
the other at the left standing. Varasiddhi Vinayaka graces devotees in the
temple. There are shrines for Lords Nataraja, Kasi Viswanatha, Perumal,
Murugan, Mothers Visalakshi, Mahalakshmi and Sani Bhagwan and Navagrahas the
nine planets.
A Yantra
is also installed in the shrine. A special yajna is performed in Lord
Bhairava’s shrine on the Ashtami day (8th day) of the new moon fortnight with
16 Kalasas – sacred pots filled with water – and this water is used for abishek
to Thanthondreeswarar and Soundarya Nayaki followed by Gomatha puja – cow
puja. Lord Thanthondreeswarar is small in size. The idol of Mother
Soundarya Nayaki is made along with the Tiruvachi-the frame around the
idol.
There is
a plank with a dog figure on a pillar. Those bitten by dog, bathe in the Theertha,
go round this plank and pray to Lord Bhairava for removal of the dog bite
poison from the body. Konganar procession is celebrated during Chithirai Brahmotsavam. As
Lord granted darshan in the Iluppai forest, the place is named Illupaikudi.
There is
a Kutty Vinayaka (Tiny Vinayaka) sculpture in the pillar of the front mandapam
just one inch size with fingers, eyelids, nails etc. very shown with minute
clarity and workmanship. Lord Dakshinamurthy in the Shiva shrine goshta wall
graces devotees with a crown, a different form. Mother Varahi sculpture is on a
pillar before Ambica shrine.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Festivals
Brahmotsavam
in Chithirai (April-May), Shivarathri in Vaikasi (May-June), Karthikai in
November-December, Annabishekam in Aipasi (October-November) are the festival
celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees
pray for family prosperity, wedding and child boons and for removal of adverse
aspects on children. People pray to Lord Bhairava for cure from diseases
and good health. Women facing delays in marriages pray to Mother Varahi
with sandal paste and lighting ghee lamps.
Devotees
perform abishek to Lord and Mother offering new vastras. They offer garlands
made of Vada a famous dish of Tamilnadu with special pujas to Lord Bhairava.
Those cured of their diseases light ghee lamps on coconut shells to Lord
Bhairava.
Contact
Sri
Thanthondreeswarar Temple,
Illupaikudi,
Ariyakudi Post,
Sivaganga
District
Tamilnadu
- 630 202
Phone: +91- 4561 - 221
810
Mobile: +91 - 94420 43493
Connectivity
Illupaikudi
is just 8 km from Karaikudi. Buses are available only at specific
hours. Nearest Railway Station is located at Karaikudi and Nearest Airport
is located at Madurai.