2. SRI AAPPUDAIYAR TEMPLE TIRUAAPPANUR (MADURAI)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	246th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Pandiya Naadu
Pandiya Naadu	2nd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

This temple lies in the shadow of Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple .The Pandya Kings and the Royal Sethupathi kings have made many contributions to this temple although little is known of its history to the thousands of visitors that throng Madurai. This shrine  is regarded as the 2nd  of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamilnadu.

The name 'Aappudaiyaar' comes from the word 'Aappu' - a wedge that was mistakenly worshipped as a Shivalingam by a Pandya ruler is said to have transformed miraculously into a Shivalingam. Shiva is also believed to have miraculously caused grains of sand to turn into rice during the time of a debilitating famine, hence the name Anna Lingeswarar.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        The Pandya kings were the first to begin building the temple, which was further expanded by the Nayak kings.

·        The shrine of the presiding deity, Lord Shiva faces east.

·        A shrine to Subrahmanyar is situated between the shrines of Shiva and Ambal. Thus, the temple is said to be of the Somaskanda type.

·        The Lord Hanuman is found on a pillar, and there is a fig tree (Ficus religiosa) in between the two shrines, with a vinayagar statue beneath it. This tree is considered to be a Shtala Virutcham or temple tree.

·        Sambandar composed the Tevaram Pathigam on Thiru Aappanoor.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Aappudaiyar, Sri Rishabeswarar
Ambal	Sri Kuravankamazhum Kuzhalammai, Sri Suganda Kundalambal
Theertham	Rishaba theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Kondrai

BELIEF:

Those facing mars planet adverse aspects (Sevvai dosham) pray to lord muruga and those aspiring prosperity pray to lord shiva performing archana.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Bhrammotsavam
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram

HOW TO REACH:

This sivasthalam is located at Sellur, a part of Madurai city. Town bus services are available from Madurai Periyar bus stand. Route No.17, 17A, 17C buses from Periyar bus stand go via this temple and one has to get down at Tiruvaappudaiyar Kovil bus stop. One can also reach this temple from Simmakkal, a part of Madurai city. From Simmakkal bus stop, one narrow street leads you to Vaigai river and by crossing the river and walking a short distance, one can reach this temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Aappudaiyaar Temple,
Aappudaiyaar Temple,
Sellur,
Madurai,
Tamil Nadu – 625002.

LOCATION: