Aavudayarkovil

Saivite Temples, Pudhukottai District

God

Aathmanadar, facing south

Goddess

Sivayoganayagi, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Veerabadra, Nataraja, Muruga, Manickavasagar, Valanchuzhi Vinayaka, Idanchuzhi Vinayaka, Subramanya

Aavudayarkovil is a large south facing temple with a tall 7 tier Rajagopuram. There is a temple tank inside and one outside. Significantly Nandi and Chandikeswara are absent in this temple. Manickavasagar is the important deity here. The Shivalingam here has only the base (aavudaiyar) and the upper portion is a casing. The goddess here is also not in her full form whereas only the feet are present. Pictures of Shiva Temples (including Madurai, Thiruvanaikaval, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruveezhimizhalai) are painted here using herbal extracts which have faded away over time. The beauty of the carvings and sculptures here is so great that in those days the craftsmen are said to have mentioned while signing off or in praise of their works ‘excluding the beauty of the work in Aavudayarkovil’.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Brahma Theertham, Narayana Theertham, Uthudra Theertham, Vayu Theertham, Asura Theertham, Deva Theertham, Munivar theertham, Agni Theertham, Aathmakoobam

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Kurundhai Maram (Atalantia monophylla)

History

Aavudayarkovil is said to have been built by Manickavasagar (9th Century CE), a tamil poet, who along with Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar are referred to as the Naalvars (Saintly Four). He was the author of Thiruvasagam and Thirukovaiyar which together form 8 of the 12 volumes of Thirumurai compiled by Nambiandar Nambi.

Legend

The lord is present in Aavudayarkovil in 3 forms: Aruvam (invisible forms), Aru-uruvam (visible but not definite form – Lingam) and Uruvam (visible forms). Manickavasagar who, as a Minister of King Harimarthana Pandyan, was on his way to buy horses is believed to have attained enlightenment here and instead spent all the money to build this temple, Aavudayarkovil. Lord Shiva is then said to have saved him from the anger of the King who in turn attained salvation here.

Directions

Aavudayarkovil is 45 kilometers south of Pudukottai on the road to Mimisal via Arantangi.

Stay and Food

Tea and snack shops available locally. Stay and food would be Pudukottai or Karaikudi