Sri Aatkondanathar Temple

Overview

Tiruvennainallur is located on the Panruti - Arasur - Tirukkoviluvr road. The temple is situated on the south bank of river Pennaiyaru. Another paadal petra sthalamTirukkovilur is located 7 Kms from here.

About The Temple

Irani Kovil is one of the 9 Kovils of the Nagarathar Community. It is located at Iraniyur. God: Aatkonda Nathar Goddess: Sivapuran Devi. Pirivu: This Kovil is famous for its architectural marvel. This kovil treats pillayarpatti as brother and so they don't do marriages with them. We believe in the tradition of worshipping the Vimana and Towers of the temple respecting them as the very deity inside when the doors of the temple are closed. The temple has the wonderful structure facilitating darshan of the deity and also the Vimana simultaneously from the front mandap. People celebrate their 60th and 80th birth days here. Mother Shivapurandevi graces the devotees with two hands only facing south. When Lord Vishnu took the Narasimha incarnation in a furious form, Ambica, sister of Lord Vishnu also became furious which reflected at nine spots in pillars in the mandap in front of the shrine, the symptoms visible even now. There is also an Ashtalakshmi Mandap in the temple.

Lord Bhairava in the shrine near that of Ambica appears with long side teeth with His dog vahan turning left. Karthika Champaka Sashti festival is dedicated to Him in November-December. He graces from the sanctum sanctorum for six days during this festival and taken in a palanquin procession. Students pray to Lord Bhairava for achieving high ranks in studies. Lord Dakshinamurthi graces in the goshta mandap shouldered by 4 lions. Kubera the lord of wealth and Vayu Bhagwan had worshipped in this temple according to the history of the place. Both appear on a Horse Vahan. There are also shrines for Navagrahas the nine planets and Mother Gajalakshmi.

About The deity

The Presiding Deity is Shiva. The Primary Deity of this temple is Atkodanathar (Lord Shiva) and his consort in Shivapurandevi.

Legend and Stories

Lord Narasimha incurred a dosha for killing demon Hiranya. He worshipped Lord Shiva here for relief. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Lord Narasimha and cleansed Him of His dosha. As requested by Vishnu stayed here in the name of Aatkonda Nathar. He is also praised as Narasimheswarar for the relief He granted to Lord Narasimha.

Festival

Karthikai Champaka Sashti and Tirukarthikai in November-December; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January and Maha Shivrathri in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Pooja and Abishekas

Special abishekas are performed to Lord on Masi Magam star day in February-March.

Pooja

Every day, five kala Poojas are conducted.

Significance

People with high temperament pray here to correct themselves. Devotees also pray for security of job, high yield in farming and progress in business. Devotees offer Vadamala to Lord Bhairava and perform abishek to Lord and mother offering vastras.

Nearby Place to Visit

Sundararaja Perumal Temple
Thanthondreeswarar Temple
Suganthavaneswarar Temple
Veerasekarar Temple
Desikanathar Temple
Tiruthali Nathar Temple

Accessibility

The devotee has to reach Tiruputhur from Madurai (60 km) on the Thanjavur road. He then has to travel further 12 km from here to Keelsevalpatti for which bus facility is available. Iraniyur is 4 km from Keelsevalpatti. As bus facility is rare, autos may be hired. The closest railways are in Karaikudi, and the closest airport is in Madurai.

Temple Address

Sri Aatkondanathar Temple,
Iraniyur, Sivaganga Dist
Pincode - 623 212.