Achala Deepeshwarar Temple, Mohanur – The Temple

Achala Deepeshwarar Temple, Mohanur – The Temple

This temple is facing towards west with entrances on three sides (east, west, and north). The main entrance is from the eastern side through a three tiered rajagopuram. The western entrance faces the Cauvery river. The bathing ghat of Cauvery river and Deepa Sthambam are located in front of this entrance. Dwaja Sthambam can be found immediately after the western entrance. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing towards the sanctum in maha mandapam.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Achala Deepeshwarar / Kumareeswarar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested). A small Banalinga found near the presiding deity is said to have been worshipped by the curd woman, Kumarayee.  Pujas are performed simultaneously to both the presiding deity and Banalinga. 

A perpetual lamp (deepam) can be seen in the sanctum. The sanctum is designed in such a way that the flame of the perpetual lamp burning inside does not flicker and does not get disturbed by the wind. Brahma, Ardhanareeswarar and Dakshinamoorthy are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Madhukara Veni / Kumarayee. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine.

The idol is made of a single stone including the frame called Thiruvatchi. Anjaneya and Vishnu Durga are the koshta idols located around her shrine. Chandikeswari shrine can be seen in her usual location. The sanctum and the goddess Parvati shrine are designed in such a way that Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati appear right to each other, a rare design in this temple. There is a shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena in the temple premises.

This shrine is situated in between the shrines of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. Thus, these shrines altogether forms the Somaskanda arrangement. There is a shrine for Lord Vinayaga in the prakaram. He is seen in sitting posture with a serpent. Those afflicted by adverse effects of serpent planets pray here for relief with milk abishek. There is another Vinayaka outside the temple under a neem tree where women seek wedding boon offers Mangalsutra.

Sarabeswarar shrine is situated near the northern entrance. Shrines of Vinayaga, Pancha Bootha Lingams, Kasi Viswanathar, Sadasiva Brahmananda Paadham, Kannimoola Ganapthy, Nataraja, Kali, Krishna, Nalvar, Anjaneya, Chandran, Suriyan, Rahu with his wife, Kedhu, Kaala Bhairavar, Ayyanar with his consorts Poorna & Pushkala, 63 Nayanmars, Saneeswarar and Navagrahas can be seen in the temple premises.

Sculptures of Varahi, Chamundi and Vaishnavi can be seen in the prakara wall. Pujas are performed on the 8^th day of new moon fortnight for the three Devis and Lord Bhairava. A sculpture of Jyestha Devi can also be seen on the prakara wall. Mother Shiva Durga can be seen in the wall of the mukha mandapam. As a tradition, she would be on the koshta wall of Shiva shrine with Mahishasura under her feet. 

Here, Durga is with eight hands on the rear wall on a lamb vahana. This is also a rare feature found in this temple. There is a huge Peepal tree on the banks of Cauvery river situated outside the western entrance of the temple. Several idols of Nagas can be seen below this tree. These are kept by devotees as a dosha parihara for Raahu Dosham. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree. Theertham associated with this temple is Kumari Theertham / Cauvery river.