Sri Iravadeeswarar Temple

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Overview

Sri Iravadeeswarar temple is located in village aanayur at madurai district. This temple is dedicated to Lord shiva. The deity is known with other name is Agneeswaramudayar.

About The Deity

Lord Shiva in His Linga form is a swayambumurthi facing west. The linga will leaning on the right site, because iravadham presents the garland to lord shiva during the prayer and it as been received by the lord shiva by leaning his head.

About the Temple

In days of yore, the region known as Valandur was under the rule of a hunter community king. Uthappa Naickanur, a town nearby was a trading centre. Traders passing through the Kattrazhaikadu (where the temple now exists) noticed elephant (Iravadam) carrying water in its trunk from the Pottramarai tank and going into the jungle. They informed this to the king. The king ordered cleaning of the bushes and found that at one spot blood began to ooze out. They found Lord Shiva as a Swayambulinga and built this temple.

Legend and Stories

Sage Durvasa presented a garland he got as the result of his Shiva Puja to Indira. He received it with scant respect and placed it on his Iravadham elephant. The animal pushed it down and stamped it. Indira was dethroned from his position due to the curse of the sage and Iravadham fell down on earth as a wild elephant losing its status. Iravadam worshipped Lord Shiva and got relieved of the curse of the sage. Hence, Lord of this place was named Iravada Eeswarar.

This is one of the ancient temples of Tamilnadu. The Linga is a swayambumurthy facing west. A five hooded serpent made of copper is above His head. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on the pradosha days of Tamil months Chithirai and Aadi. There is an idol of Lord Vinayaka in Artha Paryangasana form – with three eyes, right leg folded and the left leg in a sitting form. The date of the idol goes back to the 10th century according to historians.

Sri Jeshtadevi, sister of Mother Sridevi appears with Her son Rishaban and daughter Agnimadha on both sides. Some people say that this is Sri Anjaneya gracing with His Mother Anjanadevi. It is also noteworthy that some of the sculptures in the temple had been damaged during the invasion of Nawab. Remembering the event of elephant (Aanai in Tamil) Iraadam relieved of the curse of Sage Durvasa, a wooden idol made of Kadhamba tree exists in the temple.

Festivals

The Important festival is Navarathiri. The temple does not have regular archakas – priests as such for conducting daily pujas. Yet devotees coming to the temple do the pujas themselves and execute their prayer commitments. Special pujas on Pradosha days; Aipasi Annabishekam on Poornima day in October-November; Tirukarthikai in November-December and Shivrathri in February-March are performed in the temple.

How To Reach Sri Iravadeeswarar temple

Airport

Nearest airport is Madurai airport.

Railways

Nearest Railway station is Madurai station.

Road

Anayur is 45 kms from Madurai and 7 km from Usilampatti. Only a few buses are run to Anayur from Usilampatti at scheduled times.

Temple Address