Visited on: November 2, 2015
Location
About 40 km from Coimbatore and 10 km from Tiruppur. Nearest airport is at Coimbatore. Nearest railway station is at Tiruppur.
General Information
- Moolavar
- Sri Avinasi Appar / Sri Perungkediliyappar
- Ambal
- Sri Karunambikai / Sri Perungkarunai Nayaki
- Theertham
- Kasi Kinaru (well), Naga Kanni Theertham, Iravata Theertham, Kashi Gangai Theertham in the form of a well
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Pathiri Tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Sundararamurthy Nayanar (Sundarar)
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 1st Shiva Sthalam in Kongu Nadu.
- The Moolavar is Swayambumurthy (self-manifested).
- Vinasam in Sanskrit and Tamil means perishable. Avinashi means imperishable (eternal).
- The colloquial name of this temple is Karunaiyaathaal Temple.
- Avinashi is referred to as Dakshin Kashi (South Varanasi).
- The historical name of the place is Tirupukkoliyur. Thiru meaning grace of God and Pukkoliyur meaning a place of refuge. It is said that once Devas took shelter in this temple in fear of Asuras.
- The main tower (Rajagopuram) is 7-tiered and is more than 100 feet in height.
- The temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
History of the Temple
The temple belongs to the 10th century CE. The present structure of the temple was originally built by the Kings of Chola, Hoysala and the Mysore dynasties. The main tower was first built during the period of King Sundarapandian and later reconstructed by the King of Mysore.
Legend
The Lord Avinashilingeswarar enshrined in this temple is believed to be an offshoot of the one in Kashi (Varanarasi). For this reason, Avinashi is also known as Dakshin Kashi.
As per the Tamil saying “Kasiyil Vasi Avinashi”, it is believed that devotees looking to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva in Kasi-Varanasi, can do so by worshipping Lord Avinashilingeswarar in Avinashi.
The Theertham (holy water) in the “Kashi Kinaru” and the idols of Lord Avinashilingeswarar and Lord Bhairavar are said to have been brought from Kashi. Bathing in the Kashi well in this temple on new moon day (Amavasya) is considered to be auspicious.
It is said that the temple has a close relationship with the Mysore Royal family. In the early days, it was customary for the king-designate to go to Kashi, bring a Lingam from there and perform poojas in this temple before assuming power and stately responsibilities.
The legend is that Goddess Karunambikai did her penance and worshipped the lingam under the Pathiri Tree here. The Pathiri tree of this temple would blossom only during the Brahmotsavam festival and not during other days of the year. According to this temple Sthala Puranam, this shows the devotion of the tree to Lord Shiva.
According to scriptures, it is said Sage Vasishta worshipped in this temple to seek respite from the adverse effects of Sani Bhagwan (Planet Saturn). It is believed that he installed an idol of Sani Bhagwan in this temple. This idol is now worshipped as Anugraha Murthy.
The lord of this temple is also known as Brahmapureeswarar because it is believed that Lord Brahma worshipped here to seek atonement for his sin.
Lord Ram, Iravath (Lord Indran’s white elephant), Thadagai and Naga Kannigai are also believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here.
Another important historical event
Another interesting and significant legend associated with this temple is that on his way to meet King Cheraman Perumal at Thiruvanchikulam, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar happened to pass by Avinashi and heard conflicting voices from two neighbouring houses. One blooming with happiness and joy and the other gloomy and melancholy. He was told that three years ago, when two boys of the same age had gone to take bath in the nearby tank, one of them was devoured by a crocodile. The surviving boy was supposed to have his Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) that day which was the reason for celebration in one of the houses. On the other hand, the members of the other house were mourning the loss of their son as they felt that they too would be celebrated had he been alive.
On seeing this, Saint Sundarar immediately went to the temple and demanded the Lord to direct the crocodile to give back the boy it had swallowed three years ago. Sundarar rendered a soulful Pathigam pleading Lord Shiva to resurrect the dead child. As he sang the fourth stanza, his prayers were answered. To the joy of everyone around him, water started flowing into the dry tank, a crocodile emerged from it and ejected a full grown boy of seven years. Saint Sundarar took the boy to the parents and arranged his Upanayanam too.
This story is depicted beautifully in the form of paintings and reliefs in this temple.
Deities in the temple
There are two Ambals in the temple, one in penance under a Mango (Pathiri) tree and the other with the Lord in the sanctum sanctorum. Here the Goddess is on the right side of the Lord instead of left side, as is the tradition in other temples.
In this temple, the shrine of Lord Kala Bairavar is aesthetically designed and occupies a special significance among devotees. Amongst others, idols of Vinayakar, Murugan and his consorts, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy and the Navagragam can be seen in the corridors.
Salient Features
There is a 70 feet high pillar constructed of a single stone called “Deepa Sthambam” with sculptures of Lord Vinayakar and Saint Sundarar.
The temple has two precincts. The Navaranga Mandapam in the inner precinct has intricate sculptures and reliefs highlighting the artistic excellence of the era.
The large Nandi and the carved image of a scorpion inside the Goddess’s sanctum are also of significance.
This temple is also called Villvavanam as the premises was once believed to have been surrounded by a large number of Vilvam trees.
Saint Manicka Vasagar referred to this temple in his celebrated Tiruvasagam hymns.
Saint Arunagirinadhar has also sung in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
Saint Thirumular has also immortalised this temple in his Thirumantiram.
Greatness of this temple
The Kashi Kinaru (well) inside the temple is considered to be the Ganges of Kasi itself and is considered to be auspicious.
It is believed that devotees get respite from the adverse effects by worshipping Sani Bhagwan (Planet Saturn) here.
Important Festivals
The event ‘Mudalai Vaai Pillai’ Utsavam (literally translated as “boy in the grip of a crocodile”) is commemorated in a grand manner every year for three days during Panguni Uththiram in the months of March-April.
Chithirai Brahmotsavam is celebrated in a grand manner in April-May with flag hoisting on Mrigaseersham star day and Ther (Car) festival on Pooram star day.
The Ther festival is the most exciting festival in this temple and the Therottam (Car Pulling) attracts thousands of devotees every year. This temple’s Ther is one of the biggest in South India and is noted for its intricate wooden carvings. Apart from this, the procession of the 63 Nayanmars (Arupathi Moovar Ula) is another notable festival.
Temple Timings
05.00 AM to 01.00 PM and 04.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Temple Address
Sri Avinashi Lingeshwarar Temple,
Avinashi Post,
Thiruppur District,
Tamil Nadu - 641 654.
Telephone: +91- 4296 - 273 113.
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