Sri Amravaneswarar Temple

Overview

Sri Aamravaneswarar Temple is one of the Pancha (five) Shiva Temples in Tiruchi region. Bhagwan Sri Adi Sankara had worshipped Lord here, so conjointly Sage Mrigandu. Shri Sankara is facing south in the goshta-wall round the sanctum. Tirugnanasambandar  has sung a pathigam-10 verses on this temples’ deity, Sri Aamravaneswarar. Arunagirinathar has also composed hymns on Lord Muruga of this sthala, which can be found in Tirupugazh . This is the 58th padal petra sthalam of Lord Shiva on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns. The name Mandurai has its origin as the region was dense with Mango trees and also as Lord blessed a Maan - cervid during this place.

About the Temple

The temple is around 1000-2000 yers old. The temple has three tiered gateway tower and a tank. Since Shiva bestowed a deer with a mango, this place is called Manthurai. Lord Shiva is called as Sri Aamravaneswarar. He is accompanied by Balambika. The sthala vriksham is Mango and the theertam is Cauvery.

Mother Durga on the goshta is very unique in this temple. There is no demon - Mahishasura - under her feet. Lord Muruga graces from a separate shrine with His consorts Valli and Deivanai.

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The Chittirai festival during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May) is celebrated for fifteen days, portraying the various incidents associated with the temple legend. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend and Stories

Samukya Devi, daughter of divine sculptor Vishwakarma was married to Sun God.  She had a happy marital life with Sun. As days rolled, she could not bear the heat of her husband.  She asked her husband to reduce his temperature however he failed to facilitate her. Samukya Devi came to the conclusion that she may no a lot of bear the heat and told her father her intention to return to him.  As a father, he quoted scriptures and asked the daughter to be patient. As she could no longer endure Sun, as a devout wife to take care of husband’s wants, Samukyadevi created a maid, an correct replica of her, and made her to live with Sun taking care of him. She was Chayadevi (shadow image). Samukyadevi did not return to Sun despite her father’s suggestion and was unwillingly staying with him. She took the form of a horse, came to this place, performed penance on Lord Shiva to bring down the heat of Sun so she could go back to him. Sun too found some difference in the approach of Chayadevi and came to understand from Vishwakarma that Samukhyadevi had left him. He immediately reduced his heat, came to this place, worshipped Lord Shiva and came back with Samukhyadevi.

Representing this event, planet Sun appears in the Navagraha shrine with each Davis - Samukhya and Chaya.  Sun is alone too nearby. Other planets ar facing Sun. There is conjointly a story connected to the temple that Lord Shiva graced 2 deers - a demon couple in earlier birth and also a Maharshi on a Chaturdi day (4th day of latest moon or phase of the moon day) coinciding with Tuesday - known as Ahankara Chatuthi. Special pujas are performed to Lord on such Chaturti days. It is said that the advantage of worshiping the Lord these days would relieve devotees from sins committed wittingly or unwittingly and bless them with prosperity.

Lord Shiva blessed a deer with a mango here. Surya, Chandra - the planets, Kanvar - a rishi and Vishnu the protector have worshiped Lord Amaravaneshwarar here. Mrikandu Munivar (father of Markandeya) and a deer are also said to have done tapas on Lord Amaravaneshwarar underneath a fruit tree, and this legend is illustrated in stucco in the temple. Lord Brahma, is said to have brought the Gayatri Nadi after worshipping Lord here, and his act of having made the false claim of having seen the highest of the column of fire within which Shiva, known as Lingothbavar, had manifested himself, was absolved here.

The king of celestial deities,Indra, worshiped Lord Shiva (Lord Amaravaneshwarar) to absolve himself of the sin of getting deceived Ahalya, the wife of Gowtama Rishi. Bhrama and Vishnu adorn the niches in the walls of the sanctum.

Festivals

Annabishekam  in the tamil month of Aipasi  (October-November), Tirukarthikai Deepam in November-December and Sri Adi Sankaracharya Jayanti in the tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Daily Rituals

The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 8:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Mathuraiyappar and Azhagammai. The worship is held amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the Vedas read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like somavaram and sukravaram, fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi.

Accessibility

Airport

The closest airport is in Trichy, about 15kms from Mandurai.

Railways

The closest airport is in Trichy, , about 15kms from Mandurai and Lalgudi, 5 kms from Mandurai.

Road

Mandurai is well connected from Trichy and Lalgudi.

Temple Address

Sri Aamravaneswarar Temple,
Mandurai, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy district,
Tamil Nadu, India, Pincode - 621 703.