Then Thiru Aalavai Temple, Madurai
Then
Thiru Aalavai Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in South
Masi street in Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity
is called as Thiru Aalavayar / Sundareswarar / Then Thirunathar and Mother is
called as Meenakshi. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. Of the 64
divine events (Tiruvilayadal) described in the sacred epic Tiruvilayadal
Puranam by Saint Paranjothi Munivar, this temple is about marking the
boundaries of Madurai.
Pancha
Bhoota Sthalams of Madurai refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five prime
elements of nature: land, water, air, sky, and fire. Pancha indicates
five, Bhoota means elements, and Sthalam means place. Of
the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams in Madurai, this temple represents Agni-fire. Pancha
Bhoota Sthalams of Madurai are as follows;
·
Sellur Aappudayar Temple
(Water)
·
Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar
Temple, West Masi Street (Land)
·
Theppakulam Muktheeswarar
Temple (Air)
·
Simmakkal Chokkanathar
Temple (Sky)
·
Then Thiru Aalavai Temple
South Masi Street (Fire)
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Thiru Aalavayar / Sundareswarar / Then Thirunathar and
Mother is called as Meenakshi. Sthala Vriksham is Arasa Maram (Bodhi Tree).
Theertham associated with this Temple is Shiva Theertham.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Madurai,
known as city of temples is also known as city of festivals. Six-day Skanda Sashti
in October-November (Aipasi) with special pujas and abishekam to Lord Muruga and
Annabishekam on the full moon day in the same month, Aadi Pooram in
July-August, Abishek with conches – Sankabishekam – on Karthikai Mondays
(November-December), Pujas with lamps – Vilakku on each full moon days, Aadi
Fridays (July-August) and Thai Fridays in January-February are the important
festivals celebrated in the temple very devotionally. Also, Pongal falling
almost on January 14, Deepavali in October-November, Vinayaka Chaturthi on
August-September, Tamil and English New Year days are celebrated in the temple
with special poojas, abishek etc. Crowd of devotes is usually large on all such
festival days.
Prayers
Majority
of devotees come here for remedy from illness and for early discharge from hospitals.
They experience mental peace. Mother Meenakshi graces the devotees with early
and happy wedding and children. People offer Vastras to the Lord. They also
pray for academic excellence and for profitable results in the endeavors they take
on some aims. Devotees perform abishek to Lord with milk, honey, oil, green coconut,
sandal and rose water. They offer Saris to Mother. Feed the poor and offer
contributions in cash suiting their purse for the maintenance and renovation of
the temple.
If a
patient, left by the best doctors as hopeless, go around the sacred tree – Arasamaram
– 108 times and submit his/her prayers sincerely, they are cured marvelously.
It is experienced even today. Also, those desirous of longevity follow this
procedure. 60th and 80th birth days are celebrated in this temple. Of the
Pancha Boodha places in Madurai, those praying to the first and ancient
Chokkanatha are blessed with prosperity, while Immayil Nanmai Tharuvar (God
gracing in this birth itself) attain good positions. Then Tiru Aalavai Lord
frees the devotee from the fear of death.
Contact
Then
Tiru Aalavai Temple,
South
Masi street, Madurai
Madurai
District – 625 001
Phone: +91 452 2344360
Connectivity
The Temple
is located on the eastern corner of the South Masi street. The Temple is
located at about 400 meters from Palace Road Bus Stop, 450 meters from Madurai Meenakshi
Amman Temple, 1 Km from Koodal Azhagar Temple, 1.5 Kms from Periyar Bus Stand, 6
Kms from Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 2 Kms from Madurai Railway
Junction, 9 Kms from Thiruparankundram and 11 Kms from Madurai International
Airport. Town buses are available from Periyar Bus Stand and from Mattuthavani
Bus Stand.
Location