Athmanatha Swamy Temple, Avudaiyarkoil – The Temple

Athmanatha Swamy Temple, Avudaiyarkoil – The Temple

Thetemple is facing south with sever tiered Rajagopuram with a Mandapam in front of Rajagopuram. The temple covers an area of over 10 acres (40,000 m2) with three enclosures and faces south, constructed so that the setting sun strikes the sanctum even though it is cloistered within three circumambulatory paths. This Temple is a testimony to temple architecture skills of ancient Tamil Sculptors and engineers. The temple renowned for Moorthy (Athmanathar), Sthalam (Siva sthalam), Theertham (Agni Theertham), Vanam (Kurundha Vanam), Puram (Siva Puram) and Thondar (Manickavasagar).

While Shiva temples are generally facing east, Avudaiyarkoil temple is facing south.  As Lord Shiva plays the Guru part teaching Saint Manikkavasakar as Lord Dakshinamurthy, the temple is facing south, it is explained.  The other Shiva temple facing south is Lord Kadambavana Nathar temple in Karur. Surprisingly, the temple does not have Nandi, flagstaff, Balipeedam and Somaskandar is conspicuously absent as both Lord and Mother are formless. And instead of playing Nadaswaram, Melam and Berigai, the blowing of conch, ringing of bell and Thiruchinnam is in vogue.

Sanctum:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/athmanatha-swamy-temple-avudaiyarkoil-sanctum.html

Mother Shrine:

Mother is called as Siva Yoga Nayaki / Yogambal. She is also formless here. Mother Shrine is situated to the right side of the sanctum.  She is represented by Yoga Peetam on which the foot prints of the goddess have been carved out. Pujas are offered only to the feet of Ambika as the shrine is always kept closed. To facilitate darshan of the feet, it is arranged through a mirror. Devotees can have only Pada - feet darshan.  The abishek Theertha and Kumkum is offered as Prasad.  Devotees use to tie cradles and bangles here seeking child boon.

Mandapams

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/athmanatha-swamy-temple-avudaiyarkoil-mandapams.html

Manikkavasakar Shrine:

There is a four-pillared Mandapam behind the sanctum in the first prakaram, wherein Kurundha Moola Swamy (Athmanathar) is seen seated like a preceptor, and in front of him is Manickavasagar, is depicted in such a way that he is receiving Deeksha from Lord Shiva. Manikkavacakar’s Upadesa Kaatchi is enacted here on festival days. Saint Manikkavasakar is occupying the Somaskanda status in the temple – in between the shrines of Lord and Mother. The palm leaves and the writing pin used by Manikkavasakar are still safe in the temple. 

Kuthirai Swami Shrine:

A Shiva form in the temple is known as Kuthirai Swami (Horse God).  As per legend, Lord Shiva brought horses for Saint Manikkavasakar and delivered them to King Arimardana Pandian. He also rode on a horse along with other horses.  Hence, he is praised as Kuthirai Swami (Horse God) wearing horseman dress with a whip in hand.  He is situated in the Panchakshara Mandapam.  There are foxes too under the horses praised as Ashwa Nathar.

Vinayaga Shrines:

There are four Vinayakas in the four corners in the second prakara one of them with Mother Annapoorani facing north.  People pray here for prosperity. There is a shrine for dancing Lord Ganesha called Nardana Vinayakar in one corner of the second prakaram. It is designed in such a way that the rays of the sun fall on the Lord throughout the year. Lord Vinayaka appears in dancing posture with two others dancing with him facing south. There is an idol of Lord Vinayaka with 11 hands in the Temple premises. Lord Vinayaka of the Temple is praised as Veyil Ugandha Vinayaka. 

Navagraha Shrine:

There is no shrine for Navagrahas in the temple, but they are in pillars. While Rahu and Ketu (serpent planets) are in the first pillar, Shukra –Venus, Sani Bhagawan-Saturn, Jupiter-Guru and Sevvai-Mars are in the second pillar.  Sun with his consorts Pradyusha and Usha and Mercury (Budhan) are in the third pillar.  Moon is at the fourth pillar.  In the next two pillars nearby are Lord Kalatheeswarar and Mother Gangadevi. 

Deepams:

Every entrance in the temple has Deepas (lamps) in specific numbers.  The Thiruvasi (a metal frame in upside U shape around Lord Shiva has 27 lamps representing 27 stars, the two nearby the Jeevathma - Paramatma philosophy, 5 representing the five arts, 36 representing many philosophies, 51 letters. 11 mantras and 224 world divisions.  Those facing planetary problems offer ghee for lighting the Deepas around the Thiruvasi.

Sculptures:

This Temple is one of the best examples of the temple architecture skill of Tamil Sculptors and engineers. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi in the Thillai Mandapam in the second prakara granting the Pasupatha weapon to Arjuna as hunter and his wife is very realistic in workmanship.  Mother appears with a chain around the neck, bangles in hand and holding a bag.  The five philosophies representing the Panchakshara the five letters – Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya – Nivarthi Kalai, Pratiba Kalai, Vidya Kalai, Gandhi Kalai and Shandheetha Kalai are in sculpture form on the roof of the Panchakshara Mandapam. 

The composite columns of Virabhadra holding sword and horn are found to be additions of the Vijayanagara kings during the early 16^th century. Similar columns of Virabhadra are found in Thiruvattaru Aadhikesava Perumal Temple, Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple, TenkasiKasi Viswanathar Temple, Thadikombu Soundararaja Perumal Temple, Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple, Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathi Temple, Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, Srivaikundam Srivaikuntanathan Perumal Temple, Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukkurungudi Thirukurungudivalli Nachiyar Temple.

Some of the rare sculptures of the temple are Dundi Vinayaka idol, Stone chain with a snake spinning around, Udumbu (a  lizard-like creature) and the monkey, One thousand pillars carved in just two pillars, Sculptures Lords and Mothers in 1008 temple, Horses of various countries, 27 sculptures representing 27 stars, Various signs of dance art – Nattiya Kalai Mudras, Pillars expressing seven musical sounds and the shade of Koodalvai appearing as the neck of a cow.

Kodungai Carvings:

Avudaiyar Koil is famous for the art of Kodungai carving, the work done under the stone that forms the sun shade or overhang of the roof. It usually sits on top of the beam stone and is a superb example of the craft of the 9^th century artisans.

Temple Chariot:

The chariot car of this temple is renowned for its wood carvings.

Paintings:

An architectural description of the 27 constellations and stories presented in a line of fresco paintings is beautiful.

Theerthams:

Theerthams associated with this Temple are Deva Theertham, Agni Theertham and Athma Koobam. Agni Theertham is situated on the north-west corner of the third prakaram.

Sthala Vriksham:

Sthala Vriksham is Kurundhai Tree. The specialty of the tree leaves is, they have three different smells. Two Kurundha trees are situated in the northwest corner of the Thyagaraja Mandapam near the outer compound wall. Facilities are provided to circumambulate them.  The temple kitchen is at the other corner.