Airavatheswarar Temple, Athimugam – The Temple

Airavatheswarar Temple, Athimugam – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with a mandapam type entrance arch. The temple is situated ten feet below the ground level. Deepa Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the entrance arch facing towards the sanctum. This temple is one of the few temples with two main shrines namely Airavatheswarar Shrine and Azhageswarar Shrine. The Azhageswarar Shrine is the first shrine in the temple followed by the Airavatheswarar Shrine at the back side of it.

The Azhageswarar shrine is the main shrine in this temple complex. The Azhageswarar shrine consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Navagrahas shrine can be seen on right side of the mukha mandapam. Navagrahas are seen in sitting posture. A Vinayaga with a Shiva Linga at the front can be seen at the left side of the entrance of maha mandapam. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Azhageswarar in the form of Shiva Linga.

A nandi can be seen in front of the Shiva Linga. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Idols of Chandran, Indra riding his Airavata, Veerabhadra, Bikshadana, Nagas, Suryan with his consort Usha & Pratyusha and Chandikeswarar can be seen on platform in the inner prakaram. There is a sixteen pillared mandapam situated on southern side of this shrine.

The prakaram around the shrine is completely enclosed within a wall. Mother is called as Akhilandeshwari. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated on the right side of the Azhageswarar shrine. Nandi can be found facing towards her shrine. She is about five foot tall and is four armed. The Airavatheswarar shrine is the oldest shrine in the temple complex.

The sanctum is situated at about four feet below the ground level of the temple. The sanctum enshrines the Airavatheswarar in the form of Shiva Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested) and is facing towards east. The Lingam has a carving of an elephant in it. The sanctum has the idol of goddess Kamakshi in standing posture behind the Lingam. Idols of Appar and Thirugnana Sambandar can be seen in the ardha mandapam.

Nandi is seen slightly away from the Airavatheswarar to allow the sun rays to fall on the Lord during the first week of Thai month (Jan-Feb). There are five Lingams (Pancha Lingams) in separate shrines can be seen on the right side of the temple complex. These shrines share a common mandapa and Nandi can be seen in front of each shrine in this mandapam. There is a north facing shrine for Vinayaga in the outer prakaram. He holds an akshara mala in his hand.

There is a shrine for Lord with his consorts Valli & Devasena in the outer prakaram. It is unique to note that the peacock vahana is seen facing the left side of the Lord Murugan. There is an ancient anthill in the southwest corner of this temple. It is said that the anthill is believed to be as old as the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Vilva tree.  Theertham associated with this temple is Indra Theertham.