Sri Thanthondreeswarar temple

Overview

Iluppaikudi, Thanthondreeswarar temple is located in Iluppaikudi, Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu state, India. The main God here is Thanthondreeswarar and Amman (Thayar) is Soundaryanayaki. This temple is a Sivan Koil.

About The Temple

Legend goes that Lord Bhairava of the temple is praised as Swarna Agarshana Bhairava. He holds an Akshaya Patra – a bowl that never exhausts of food and other prosperous things needed for a happy life – instead of the traditional skull. It is said that the skull has changed into this prosperous bowl as Lord Bhairava played alchemy to change iron into gold. Prayer to Him brings all wealth to devotees. The other significance is that He has twin dog vahans, the one on the right is looking at the feet siting and the other at the left standing. One yantra is also installed in the shrine. A special yajna is performed in Lord Bhairava’s shrine on the Ashtami day (8th day) of the new moon fortnight with 16 Kalasas – sacred pots filled with water – and this water is used for abishek to Thanthondreeswarar and Soundarya Nayaki followed by Gomatha puja – cow puja. Lord Thanthondreeswarar is small in size. The idol of Mother Soundarya Nayaki is made along with the Tiruvachi-the frame around the idol. There is a plank with a dog figure on a pillar. Those bitten by dog, bathe in the theertha, go round this plank and pray to Lord Bhairava for removal of the dog bite poison from the body. Konganar procession is celebrated during Chithirai Brahmmotsavam. As Lord granted darshan in the Ilupai forest, the place is named Iluppaikudi.

About The deity

The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Thanthondreeswarar . His consort is known as Soundaryanayaki.

Legend and Stories

A Siddha Yogi, Konganar by name in a place named Mathur used herbals and converted iron into gold of 500 touch. He prayed to Lord Shiva to grant him the power to further enhance the value to 1000 touch. Lord advised the Siddha to worship Lord Bhairava in the Iluppai jungle to realize his will. Siddha devotionally followed the advice. The gold thus produced by Konganar was very bright. When he tried to take it out, the gold disappeared in earth and reappeared as a Shivalinga. As the Linga appeared from a jyoti, He was named Swayam Prakaseswarar – Shining by Himself and Thanthondreeswarar – one who appeared through Himself.

Festival

Brahmmotsavam in Chithirai (April-May), Shivarathri in Vaikasi (May-June), Karthikai in November-December, Annabisheakam in Aipasi (October-November) are the festival celebrated in the temple.

Thanksgiving

Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother offering new vastras. They offer garlands made of Vada a famous dish of Tamilnadu with special pujas to Lord Bhairava. Those cured of their diseases light ghee lamps on coconut shells to Lord Bhairava.

Significance

Devotees pray for family prosperity, wedding and child boons and for removal of adverse aspects on children. People pray to Lord Bhairava for cure from diseases and good health. Women facing delays in marriages pray to Mother Varahi with sandal paste and lighting ghee lamps.

Nearby Place to Visit

Sundararaja Perumal Temple
Aatkondanathar Temple
Suganthavaneswarar temple
Veerasekarar Temple
Desikanathar Temple
Tiruthali Nathar Templ

Accessibility

Iluppaikudi is just 8 km from Karaikudi. Buses are available only at specific hours. The closest railway station is in Karaikudi, and the closest airport is in Madurai.

Temple Address

Sri Iuppaikudi Devasthanam, Sri Thanthondreeswar Temple,
Iluppaikudi, Ariyakudi Post,
Sivaganga district, Pincode -630 202.