Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Athangudi, Sivaganga
Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Athangudi Village near Karaikudi Town in Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar and Mother is called as Meenakshi. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. Athangudi village is well known for the famous Athangudi tiles.
The Temple
This is a fairly large temple with spacious courtyard and is under the management of the Nattukottai Chettiars. The Temple is facing east with seven-tiered Rajagopuram. There are shrines of Murugan and Vinayaga at the temple entrance. There is a big Temple Tank in front of the Temple. There is another three-tiered Gopuram can be found at the entrance of the inner prakaram.
Balipeedam, Dwajastambam and Nandhi can be found facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Sunrays will fall on Lingam during 9th, 10th and 11th day of Purattasi Month and during 9th, 10th and 11th day of Panguni Month. Mother is called as Meenakshi.
There are shrines of Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai and Bhairavar can be found in the Tempe premises. Paintings on the ceiling of the inner courtyard depicts scenes from Thiruvilayadal Purana - which describes 64 sports and exploits of Chokkanathar or Sundareswarar. Sthala Vriksham is Banana Tree. This Banana Tree grows to height of about 3 – 4 feet only.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 06.30 AM to 11.00 AM and 04.00 PM to 07.45 PM.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 2nd Thirumurai in 39th Patikam in 10th Song.
குத்தங்குடி வேதிகுடி புனல்சூழ் குருந்தங்குடி தேவன்குடி மருவும்
அத்தங்குடி தண் திருவண்குடியும் அலம்புஞ் சலந்தன் சடைவைத்துகந்த
நித்தன் நிமலன் உமையோடுங்கூட நெடும் காலம் உ றை விடம் என்று சொல்லாப்
புத்தர் புறங் கூறிய புன்சமணர் நெடும்பொய்களை விட்டு நினைந்து உய்ம்மினே!
Contact
Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple,
Athangudi,
Sivaganga District – 630 208
Phone: +91 4565 281 700
Mobile: +91 94432 73917
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 100 meters from Athangudi Bus Stop, 8 Kms from Kundrakudi, 12 Kms from Thirumayam, 14 Kms from Karaikudi Old Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Karaikudi, 15 Kms from Karaikudi New Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Karaikudi Junction Railway Station, 55 Kms from Sivaganga, 77 Kms from Trichy Airport and 93 Kms from Madurai Airport. The Temple is situated on Thirumayam to Kundrakudi Route via Konapattu.
Location