Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 29th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 29th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
The
all-powerful Asuras, Tarakan, Kamalatchan and Vithvan Mali built palaces in
gold, silver and iron respectively and were troubling the Devas more
frequently. The Devas along with Vishu and Brahma worshipped Shiva. Shiva personified sky as the roof, ground as base,
Surya & Chandra as Wheels, Four Vedas as
horses, Merumalai as the Bow, Vasuki as the string and Thirumal himself as the
arrow. Brahma was steering the Chariot.
Vinaya
grew angry as he was not a part of the war and broke the caster bolt of the
chariot. Shiva gave
good deeds to Vinayagar and went ahead winning the Asuras at Thirvathikai.
Since the Achu (caster bolt) was broken into pieces (Pakkam), this
place is called Achirupakkam. During Tripurasamharam, the killing of
Tripurantaka, Shiva forgot to worship Ganesha before setting out for the
battle. He realized it and came back to worship Ganesha and went ahead to win
the demon. The same legend is associated with Thiruvathigai Veerattaneswarar
Temple and Thiruvirkolam Sri Tripuranthaka Swami temple .
Aksheeswaraswamy
Temple, Acharapakkam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Acharapakkam, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Aksheeswaraswamy or
Atchikontantar, and is represented by the lingam and
his consort Parvati is
depicted as Sundaranayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century
Tamil Saiva canonical work. The temples has several inscriptions dated to the
period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1120 CE).
Imitated
amphorae have been found in the temple in many excavations in the same context
of the imported variety. They are found to be used continuously in Tamil Nadu in
6-7th century mainly in Thondai mandalam, which flourished as a prominent
political centre under the Pallavas after the Sangam
period. The inscriptions are dated to the period of Kulothunga
Chola I (1070-1120 CE) where Shiva is referred as Accukkontu Aruliya
Tevar. The inscriptions talk of generic contributions of land, gold and sheep
to the temple.
Sages Gautama and Kanva:
Sages
Gautama and Kanva worshiped Shiva at this place. There is another legend
which indicates that a Pandya king found a golden iguana which disappeared under
a tree. While digging under the tree, he found a linga. He requested
sage Trinedhrathari to build a temple who built two sanctums, one for
Uamiyatchivarar and other for Aatcheesvarar.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
The temple has a
five tiered raja gopuram and a tank in front of it. All the shrines of the
temple are enshrined in concentric rectangular walls, with the shrine of
Aksheeswaraswamy being the most prominent.
·
The sanctum is
set axial to the flagstaff and gopuram. The image of the consort, Sundaranayaki
is enshrined in a west facing shrine.
·
There are images
of Saraswati, Lakshmi, Saptamatrika and Ayyappa in
the first precinct around the sanctum.
·
It is believed
that there was a well in front of the sanctum, which can be seen during the
times of monsoon even during modern times.
·
The sculptural
representation of Karaikkal Ammaiyar walking with her hands
and the hunter Kannapa Nayanar sculpted under the image of Somaskanda are
noteworthy.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Atcheeswarar, Sri Umai Atcheeswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Ilangili ammai, Sri Umayambigai |
|
Theertham |
Deva,
Banu and conch Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Sara
Kondrai |
BELIEF:
It is strongly believed
that prayer to lord would elevate the devotee to ruling position with
management abilities. Also as the lord is in the form letter – akshara the
devotee will shine in education.
Participation in the special poojas would relieve the devotees from various doshas following them from birth to birth and also remove obstacles in the way of professional progress and ensure peace of mind.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
Apr-May |
Chittirai
Brahmotsavam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
HOW
TO REACH:
The
railway station Achirupakkam is on the Chengalpattu - Villupuram section of the
Southern Railway. On the Chennai - Tindivanam national highway (NH4), after
crossing Chengalpattu, Maduranthakam and Melmaruvathoor, there is a stop at
Achirupakkam on the main road. A branch road on the left from here takes you
Achirupakkam village and to the temple. This shivasthalam temple is located
about 96 Kms from Chennai.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Atcheeswarar Temple,
Achirupakkam,
Madurantakam,
Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu – 603301.
LOCATION:
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