Sri Azhagiyanayanaar Temple

Overview

Tiruvamathur, Abirameswarar temple is located in Tiruvamathur, Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu,India. The presiding deity of the temple is Abirameswarar and Mother Goddess (Thayar) is Muthamman. This temple is a 274 Sivalayam Koil.

About the Temple

The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Arunagirinathar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Appar. This is the 21st Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu region praised in Thevaram hymns. To cleanse Himself of the sin of killing Ravana, Lord Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here performing abishek with Danda Theertha. Before marching on Surapadma, Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi here and was blessed with the weapon. Muruga, Sri Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshmana, Vinayaka, Parvathi, Sages Vysa, Madanga Muni, Maharshi Naradha, Romasa and Ashta Vasus had worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. Saint Arunagiriar had praised Lord Muruga of the temple in his Tirupughazh hymns. Sage Brungi Muni refusing to worship none other than Lord Shiva was cursed as tree by Goddess Parvathi. He became the sacred Vanni tree of the temple now standing between the shrines of Lord and the Mother Goddess.

Mother Muthambikai appears in a standing posture facing west. There are shrines of Lords Muruga, Nataraja, Mal Thuyar Theertha Vinayaka,Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava, Lords Sattanathar, Brahmma, Kasi Viswanathar, Mother Durga, Lord Bikshadana, Sahasralingas, Arunachaleswarar, Sri Rama, 63 Nayanmars, Sapthamadhas, Naalvar, Chandeswara, Bhairava and the Navagrahas the nine planets in the prakara. There is a mandap called Sathya Palakai in the southwest corner. An idol Nandhi is of big size, Bali Peeta,Padala Nanddhi, and the flag post are at the entrance. There are some epigraphic details related to the period of Kulothnga I, Rajendra Chola I, Veera Rajendran and Koparakesari.

About the Deity

The presiding deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Abirameswarar is facing east and his consort is known as Muthambikai facing west in separate temple. Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai and Vanni Vruksham seen in between the sanctum of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy.

Legend and Stories

Once upon a time, cows did not have horns and were harassed by wild animals. They prayed to Lord Shiva and were blessed with horns to protect themselves. This event happened at this place, Tiru Aa Mathur – Aa-cow. The land is being revered as the Mother House of cows. According to Hindu faith, all Gods including Mothers Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi, Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and Devas reside in the body of the cow. As cows are worshipped here, the place has additional reputation. Lord Abhirameswarar appears holding the feet of the cow on His head.

Festivals

Shivarathri in February-March and Navarathri in September October are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prasad & offering

Devotees offer milk abishek to Amman and offer pudding-Pongal as nivedhana.

Significance

People pray to Mother Muthambikai for removal of obstacles in marriages and child boon. Amman muthambigai whose idol is installed by Sri Adi Sankarar is worshipped by unmarried women for marriage as milk abhishegam and sugar rice offered to amman.

Nearby Place To Visit

Aadhi Tiruvarangam Perumal Temple
Sivalokanathar Temple
Swarnakadeswarar Temple
Atulya Nadeswarar Temple
Maha Kaleswarar Temple
Selva Lalithambikai Temple

Accessibility

Road

The temple is 6 km far from Villupuram on Gingee Road

Railways

Villupuram

Airport

Chennai

Temple Address

Arulmighu Abhirameswarar Temple
Tiru Aamaathur,
Tiru Aamaathur Post,
Villupuram Taluk,
Villupuram District,
PIN 605402.