Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple, Avaniyapuram, Madurai
Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Avaniyapuram
in Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is
called as Kalyana Sundareswarar / Sevvandheeswarar and Mother is called as Balameenambika.
Legends
Balameenambica:
Mother
Meenakshi, born as the daughter of devout Malayadwaja Pandya used to play with
her friends (Thozhi in Tamil) in Pillaiyar Palayam now Avaniyapuram. When She
was leaving the place after wedding with Lord Sundareswarar, the Thozhis
requested her to stay there in her wedding form and bless them. Responding to
their wish, Mother Balameenambica chose this place to stay with Lord
Sundareswarar.
Sevvanthi Easwarar:
There
was a shrine here for Lord Sevvanthi Easwarar. There was also a tank called
Shenbaga Oorani attached with the temple. The temple became dilapidated in
later days leaving only the compound wall and the Kulam-spring. No efforts were
taken to renovate the temple. A Shiva devotee came to the house of one Anna
Thatha who also was a Shiva devotee. The former said that he would be back to
the house after his worship in Madurai temple as there was no temple for him in
the place.
The
devotee did not return to Anna Thatha though it was too late at night. Lord
appeared in the dream of Anna Thatha and disclosed that he alone came to his
house and asked him to renovate the temple that existed earlier, now in a bad
state. Anna Thatha built the temple himself and made it ready for public
worship.
Pillaiyar Palayam:
Thirugnana
Sambandar, also praised as Pillaiyar came to Madurai to cure Koon Pandiyan
suffering from some heat related ailment. Hence, the place came to be known as
Pillaiyar Palayam.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Kalyana Sundareswarar / Sevvandheeswarar. Lord is a Swayambu
Moorthy. Utsavar is Sundareswarar. Mother is called as Balameenambika. There is
a shrine for Sevvanthi Eswarar in the Temple premises. The wedding posture is
one among the 25 forms of Lord Shiva. He appears here in his wedding posture
with Mother Balameenambica. Vasiyoga Nandhi is opposite Shiva shrine. Earlier
there was a tub before this Nandhi touching its nose. During drought times, people
used to fill this tub with water in the belief that sooner the tub was full,
drought would disappear within 24 hours.
The
Nandhi in Mother Balameenambica shrine facing south is turning towards the Lord.
Lord Balasubramanya is turning left with his peacock vahana. These turning postures
are considered a different feature in the temple. The shrine for Mother
Bhadrakali Amman which was within the temple earlier, is shifted outside the
temple. There is also a shrine for Santhana Vinayagar is present in the temple
premises.
The
Nandhi in Mother Balameenambica shrine facing south is turning towards the
Lord. Lord Balasubramanya is turning left with his peacock Vahana. These
turning postures are considered a different feature in the temple. As the
temple was built during the Pandya period, their Fish symbol is carved in the
pillars. The Surya Theertham in the temple is regarded as a cure for all
diseases-Sarva Roga Nivarani. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theertham associated
with this Temple is Surya Theertham.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is generally open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00
p.m. On Tuesdays, Fridays and on important days the temple is open till 12.00 a.m.
in the first session. No change in the evening time.
Pooja
Timings
·
Kalasanthi (09:00 A.M)
·
Uchikala (12:00 Noon)
·
Sayaratchai (06:00 P.M)
·
Arthajamam (08:30 P.M)
Festivals
Margazhi
Tiruvadhirai in December-January; Purattasi Navarathri in September-October;
Tirukarthikai in November-December and monthly pradosha pujas and Ekadasi days
are celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People
pray to Lord Kalayana Sundareswarar and Mother Balameenambica performing pujas
with Vilwa leaves seeking child boon. Obstacles in marriage talks also vanish.
People pray to Lord Bhairava for relief from poverty and evil attacks. The
prayer also removes difference of opinion among members of the family and brings
success in litigations. Differences between Mother and son are solved by prayer
to Lord Vinayaka. Devotees also get jobs suiting to their education and a healthy
life. Realizing their wishes, devotees perform archanas to Lord Shiva with
Vilwa leaves.
Contact
Kalyanasundareswarar
Temple,
Avaniyapuram,
Madurai District – 625 012
Mobile: +91 98437 77721 / 97886 87020
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 300 meters from Avaniyapuram Bus Stop, 5 Kms from
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 5 Kms from Madurai Koodal Azhagar Temple, 5 Kms
from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Madurai Railway Station, 10 Kms from
Madurai Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus and 6 Kms from Madurai Airport. Madurai
being a popular tourist center is well connected by railways and has daily flights to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.