Atheeswarar Athi

Saivite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Agastheeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Akilandeswari, not installed

Other Deities

Agastheeswarar, Vinayaka, Muruga, Navagraha, Bhairava. Sanctum Niches – Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Atheeswarar Athi has two Shiva Lingams, one of the original Atheeswarar and the later installed Agastheeswarar in the Sanctum Sanctorum. The main Shiva Lingam has a square base (Aavudayar). The beautiful stone temple faces east and has many wonderful pieces of carvings around. The pillars inside are beautiful pieces of work. This ancient temple was completely dilapidated and was more of a mound of stones. In recent times efforts from locals, others and the administration has somewhat cleared up the space and built up the temple retaining its original form. The goddess idol has been lost and efforts are on to install a new one. The cheyyar flows north of the temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Well (now dry) inside the temple. Cheyyar River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Athi (Ficus racemosa)

History

Atheeswarar Athi was built by Raja Raja Chola III in 1242 CE. Later contributions and developments were done by Kopperunchingan, Chola and Vijayanagar Kings. Inscriptions are found all around and one mentions the donation of 31 cows and a bull by Raja Raja Chola III for the continuous burning of the lamps in the temple.

Legend

King Raja Raja Chola III while travelling here assessing the lands for agriculture entered this area which was a forest of Athi Trees. His horse stumbled on something and fell down along with him. He asked his men to dig the area and discovered an ancient Shiva Lingam. Since it was in a forest of Athi Trees he named it Atheeswarar and built up the temple.

Directions

Atheeswarar Athi is about 24 kilometers north of Vandavasi and about 11 kilometers east of Cheyyar. Refer our map for exact location and route based on your side of approach. While coming from Vandavasi you have to take a left at Perunagar and travel for about 7 kilometers to reach Atheeswarar Athi. From Cheyyar the route is via New Perungalathur and Kazhiyur.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Vandavasi or Cheyyar.

Saivite Temples

Atheeswarar, Athi