Achaleshwarar Temple

Overview : Achaleswaram Achaleswarar (Araneri) Appar Temple is a Lord Shiva temple located in Tiruvarur near Mayiladuturai, Kumbhakonam,Tamil Nadu.It is situated in the Southern prakaram inside the grand Thyagaraja Temple .This west facing temple is amongst the 276 Thevara Paadal petras sthalams.The temple was rebuilt by Chola Queen Sembian Mahadevi in 10th century. A sanctum and an ardhamandapam is present in the temple along with the writings of the age of Chola Raja. Durga, Ardhanareeswarar, Bhikshatanar, Lingodhbhavar images are seen here besides those of Brahma, Natarajar Dakshinamurthy and Agastyar. Thevaram songs of saivite saint Thirunavukkarasar contain the admiration of the temple.The shadow of the chief deity always falls eastward. The structure of the temple is based on the model of the Thanjavur Pragadeeswarar temple. Legend/Story : Naminadhi Adigal used to worship Lord Achaleswarar every day without fail. One evening when he visited the temple, he noted that the lamp called Deepa was almost extinguishing as the ghee was over. The lighting would be delayed to continue if he went back to his house to bring ghee. He demanded some neighbours for ghee.As they were of a different belief ,so they taunted Naminandhi Adigal saying that his Lord was great as he himself was carrying a torch and even said that if his faith was right, the lamp could be lighted with water. Adigal was hurt. He approached Lord and questioned him that was he so sinful to hear such words. From the space a voice said that Adigal could bring water from the temple tank and light the lamp. As told he lit the lamp from water and was excited to watch the lamp burning brighter than before. He ignited all the temple lamps with water in place of ghee or oil. The entire temple became as bright as day having sun rays. Hearing the great dedication of Naminandhi Adigal, he was appointed as chief of the temple administration by the Chola king and offered all assistance to conduct the festivals here. Adigal was positioned as one of the 63 Nayanmars by Lord Shiva. The Jains who disdained Adigal felt sorry for their attitude.