Achaleswarar Temple, Thiruvarur
Achaleswarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located within the Thyagaraja Temple in
Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Historically the place is called as Achaleswaram
and Araneri. This temple is located in the Southern prakaram within the grand
Thyagaraja Temple. It is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalams.
Presiding Deity is called as Sri Achaleswarar / Araneri Appar and Mother is
called as Ambal Achaleswari / Vandarkuzhali. It is one of the shrines of the
275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the
early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Thirunavukkarasar.
Legends
Naminandhi
Adigal was worshipping Lord Achaleswarar every day without fail. One evening
when he came to the temple, he noticed that the Deepa – the lamp was nearly
extinguishing as the ghee was exhausted. It would be too late to continue the
lighting if he went to his house to bring the ghee. He approached some
neighbours for ghee. They belonged to a different faith and mocked at
Naminandhi Adigal saying that his Lord Shiva was a powerful God as he himself
was holding a torch and even told him that if his faith- was true, he can light
the lamp with water.
Adigal
felt very much hurt. He came to Lord and asked him, “You were witness to what
they said. Am I so sinful to hear such words?” A voice from the space said that
Adigal may bring water from the tank in the temple and light the lamp. Doing so
as instructed by the voice, he was excited to see the lamp burning brighter
than before. He lighted all the lamps in the temple with water instead of with
ghee or oil. The whole temple became bright as in the day with sun rays.
Hearing
the wonderful devotion of Naminandhi Adigal, the Chola king made him the head
of the temple administration and offered all help to conduct the festivals in
the temple. Lord Shiva placed Adigal as one of the 63 Nayanmars. The Jains who
mocked at Adigal regretted their attitude. The shade of the presiding deity
would fall only eastward.
The
Temple
The
Chola Queen Sembian Mahadevi rebuilt this temple of stone (10th century). Presiding
Deity is called as Sri Achaleswarar / Araneri Appar and Mother is called as
Ambal Achaleswari / Vandarkuzhali. This west facing temple consists of a
sanctum and an Ardhamandapam. Inscriptions from the period of Raja Raja Chola
are found here.
The niche images here include those of Arthanareeswarar, Durga,
Bhikshatana, Brahma, Lingodhbava, Dakshinamurthy, Agastya and Natarajar.
Theertham of this Temple is Sangu Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Pathiri Tree.
The shade of the presiding deity would fall only eastward. Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar
temple is modeled based on this temple only.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Singers
Saivite
saint Thirunavukkarasar has praised the temple in his Thevaram hymns. This is
the 88th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in
Thevaram hymns (Paadal Petra Sthalam) in Chola Naadu.
Festivals
Tiruvadhirai
in Margazhi (December-January) and Mahasivarathri in February-March are the
festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People
pray for removal of obstacles in marriage talks and for child boon. Devotees
perform abishek, archanas and offer vastras to Lord and Mother.
Contact
Sri
Vandarkuzhali-Achaleswarar Temple,
Arur
Araneri, Tiruvarur,
Thiruvarur
District
Phone: +91 – 4366 – 242 343
Mobile: +91 – 94433 54302
Connectivity
The temple is in the second prakara of Thyagarajar
temple in the heart of Tiruvarur town. Thiruvarur is located at about 70
Kms from Thanjavur, 120 Kms from Trichy, 42 Kms from Kumbakonam, 26 Kms from Nagapattinam,
31 Kms from Thiruthuraipoondi, 41 Kms from Karaikkal and 29 Kms from Mannargudi.