Shivaloka Thyagaraja Swami
Temple, Achalpuram – The Temple
The temple stands majestically facing east with a five tier Rajagopuram. The temple has two corridors. Nandi Mandapam and 100 pillared Mandapam are situated next to the Rajagopuram. Sanctum and Mother shrine are located after the 100 pillared Mandapam. Balipeedam, Nandhi and Dwajastambam can be found in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Arthamandapam and a Mukha Mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Shivaloka Thyagaraja Swami / Shivalokathyagar / Perumanamudaya Mahadevar / Nallur Perumaan. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambhu Murthy (self-manifested). He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam and is facing east. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Stucco image of Thirugnanasambanthar with his wife merged with Shiva Jothi can be found above entrance of sanctum.
Mother is called as Venneetru Umaiyammai / Swetha Viboothi Nayaki. She is housed in separate east facing shrine. Mother shrine is itself like a separate temple with a Nandhi in front of her instead of a lion that is usually seen there. There is a shrine for Saint Sambandar with his consort Stotra Poornambikai in wedding posture in the 100 pillared Mandapam. It is said that Saint Thirugnana Sambanthar attained salvation (Mukthi) here during his wedding along with the entire gathering. Hence, this is the only temple where Thirugnana Sambanthar can be seen with his wife.
There is a separate shrine for Rina Vimochana (Rina / Runa means debts and Vimochana means relief in Tamil) in the corridor. It is significant to note that Lord Rina Vimochana is present only in three temples – Thirucherai, Thiruvarur and Achalpuram. There is a relief of Narthana Ganapathy, carved in the wall in the corridor. The specialty of this relief is that it looks like a small temple in itself.
There are shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan, Mahalakshmi, Bairavar, Sattainathar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Durgai (with 8 hands), 63 Nayanmars, Suryan, Chandran, Thiripura Samharar, Naganathar, Chandrasekar, Sekkizhar, Bikshadana, Thiruneelakanda Yazhpaanar and his wife, Mathanga Soolaamaniyar, Thiruneela Nakkar and Muruga Nayanar can be seen in the corridors.
It is believed that there are 11 Theerthams (holy waters) associated with this temple. Of these, the Panchatchara Theertham (temple tank) is situated opposite to the temple. Some of the Theerthams are Panchakshara, Brihu, Ashwa, Vashishta, Athiri, Jamadagni, Vyasa and Mirukandu Theerthams. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam tree. There are several inscriptions dating back to the Chola period on the outer walls of the second prakaram. Thirugnanasambanthar’s Mutt as well as a small temple for Naadi Vakkiyar Saint Kakabhujandar are situated near this temple.
