Sri Mukteeswarar Sri Darmasamvarthini Temple

Overview

Athur is located 5 Km from Chengalpattu Bridge (west of GST road) and has a mesmerizing temple (built in the Chozha period). The temple lies on the banks of the river Palar (Ksheera Nadhi) which serves as the pilgrimage for this temple. Athur was originally known as ‘Aatru Oor’ (Aaru means, river in Thamizh) which later corrupted to become Athur.

Athur village is situated 5 kms off the Chengalpattu Bridge on the west of GST Road. Athur has a beautiful temple belonging to Chozha period. This temple lies on the banks of the river Palar, also called Ksheera Nadhi which serves as the Theertham for this temple. It is also said that as the temple lies on the river banks of Palar, the place was originally known as ‘Aatru Oor’ (Aaru means, river in Thamizh) which later corrupted to become Athur.

About the Temple

The temple has beautiful prakaarams. In the outer praakaarams of the Sri Vijayanagar face east and has a separate shrine. Inscriptions can be found all along the temples which narrate the story of the local villager during the Chozha period who installed Vijayanagar in here. Also, does it say that the temple funds were donated to build one of the Gopurams of Chidambaram Sri Natrajar Temple. Thus depicting the prosperity of the temple during the Chozha period.

Around the Sanctum are Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Brahma and Sri Durgai. There is a small underway that can be seen near the sri Dakshinamurthy shrine and is kept closed using an asbestos sheet. Beneath the ground level is small room which is believed to have been a hiding place during the times of war.

There is a separate shrine of Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Shanmugar on the Praakaaram. The idol has 6 faces, 12 arms holding weapons and seated majestically on an aesthetic peacock which is holding the snake in its beak. The idol has been detailed (including the base) in a single stone and is not fixed (Ashtabandhanam) to the floor. The idol however is made with such precision that it balances itself firmly on the ground.

Sri Jyeshta Devi is seen facing east on the north western side of the Praakaraam. She faces east since she evolved out prior to Sri Lakshmi during the churning of the mighty ocean, Ksheera Saagaram (Paarkadal). Sri Jeyeshta devi was one of the main deities of the Chozha rulers.

There is a beautiful Nandhi facing the west and a window which is beautifully sculpted on stone on the front with 9 holes in it (Navadhwaram in sanskrit). The northern area of Praakaaram has the Shrine (facing south) of the very beautiful and charming Ambaal Sri Dharmasamvardhani.

Found during excavation there are four lingams kept in a separate manadapam on the north eastern side of the praakaaram. Of the four two are Baana Lingams without base (Aavudaiyaar-base). Like the Thiruvannaamalai temple this temple is said to have Shivalingams on all 8 sides - Ashta Lingam but however only a few of them have been found.

The temple has Ksheera Theertham(Palar river) as the Theertham and the Vilvam and Maa Maram (Mango tree) as the Sthala virukshams for the temple. The unique Mango tree branches into two and each half bears fruits of a different taste. Lord Shiva is believed to be residing here in the form of Ardhanaareeswarar and giving the fruits the different tastes as a symbol of his dual form.

About The Deity

Sri Muktheeswarar and Goddess Sri Dharmasamvardhani Ambaal, also called Aram Valartha Naayagi are the main deities of this temple. This unique temple has the Shiva Lingam facing east where a thin ray of line separates the top portion (Baanam) of Lingam into two equal halves vertically. It uniquely represents the Ardhanaareeswarar (Shiva & Shakthi in equal halves) form of Lord Shiva.

Festivals

The most celebrated festivals of this temple are Pradhosham and Maha Sivarathri making it one of the rare temples which hold pooja six times during Shivrathri.

How To Reach Athur

Airport

Chennai Airport is the nearest Airport.

Railways

Chengalpattu Railway Station is the nearest Railway station.

Road

Athur can be reached by bus from Chennai and Kanchipuram.

Temple Address

Sri Mukteeswarar Sri Darmasamvarthini Temple,
Chengalpattu Rd, Athur, kanchipuram District,
Tamil Nadu, India, Pincode – 603101.