Atkondeeswarar Pethanaickenpalayam

God

Atkondeeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Akhilandeswari, facing south

Other Deities

Surya, Naalvar, 63 Nayanmar, Mahaganapathi, Krishnan, Mahalakshmi, Baladhandayudhapani, Muruga with consorts, Pancha Bootha Lingams, Kalabhairarva, Navagraha, Chandran, Nataraja. Sanctum Niches – Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Atkondeeswarar Pethanaickenpalayam is a small east-facing temple situated inside a single Prakaram. The entrance is through a small mandapam on the east side. Around the Prakaram are the shrines of the other deities. There are 2 Nandis in front of the main mandapam which is an open structure on the sides. On the north side of this mandapam is the south-facing shrine of the goddess. The Sanctum Sanctorum of the main deity faces east and has an Ardha Mandapam. On the south side of the Prakaram is a cloistered mandapam housing the Nayanmars and other deities. Behind the sanctum sanctorum is another set of cloistered mandapams housing the shrines of other deities. There is a well on the north side of the Prakaram. The Vasishta river flows northeast and in front of the temple. There is a small temple for Draupadi Amman outside on the south side. There is a Perumal Temple also in Pethanaickenpalayam.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Vasishta River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Atkondeeswarar Pethanaickenpalayam is an ancient temple as is evident from the inscriptions found on the inner walls of the entrance mandapam. The details of these inscriptions and historical information are not available as of now.

Legend

No information

Directions

Atkondeeswarar Pethanaickenpalayam is about 40 kilometers east of Salem after crossing Vazhappadi on the road towards Kallakurichi.

Stay and Food

None localy except tea shops. The closest for stay would be Salem.