Ainootreeswarar
Temple, Mathur,
Sivaganga
Ainootreeswarar Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Mathur Village near Karaikudi
in Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Ainootreeswarar
and Mother is called as Periya Nayagi. The Temple is considered as Thevara
Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. This
Temple is one of the nine temples of the Chettinad Nagarathar community. The Temple is believed to be
built in the 12th Century AD.
Legends
Kongana Siddhar learned the
art of alchemy in this Temple and learned how to turn metals like brass, copper
and iron into gold through herbal extracts. Diligently trying to make good
gold, he tried to use several new herbs. Finally, in the process he made 500
pure gold bullion. After doing this, Kongana became tired and thirsty. He came
out and cried for water. In order to test him, Lord Shiva came in human form
and gave him water.
When he drank water, Lord
kicked the gold bullions and the herbal extracts prepared. Also, Lord
disappeared from the scene. Realizing that everything was a Lord's act, Kongana
Siddhar stopped making gold and began to meditate. The town was named Mathur
because it was the place where different quality of five hundred gold bullions
(Matru Thangam) were produced. Also, Lord Shiva came to be called as
Ainootreeswarar.
The Temple
For brief details, please
refer below link;
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 4th Thirumurai in 15th
Patikam in 10th Song.
புத்தூ ருறையும் புனிதனைப்
பூவ ணத்தெம் போரேற்றை
வித்தாய் மிழலை முளைத்தானை
வேள்விக் குடியெம் வேதியனைப்
பொய்த்தார் புரமூன் றெரித்தானைப்
பொதியில் மேய புராணனை
வைத்தேன் என்றன் மனத்துள்ளே
*மாத்தூர் மேய மருந்தையே
Contact
Ainootreeswarar Temple,
Mathur – 630 202,
Sivaganga District
Phone: +91 4565 231 862
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
5 Kms from Karaikudi Junction Railway Station, 7 Kms from Karaikudi, 7 Kms from
Karaikudi New Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Karaikudi Old Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Kundrakudi,
63 Kms from Sivaganga, 97 Kms from Madurai and 107 Kms from Madurai Airport.
