13th October 2019.
This second time visit to this temple was a part of Kongu Heritage walk. First time visited this temple as a part of Paadal Petra Sthalangal Dharshan. As per the Thevara hymns this place was mentioned as Thiruppukoliyur and now called as AVINASHI. This is the 259th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1st Shiva Sthalam in KONGU NADU. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Moolavar : Sri Avinashi Lingeshwarar, Sri Avinasieeswarar,
Sri Avinashinathar, Sri Perungkediliappar.
Consort : Sri Karunambigai, Sri Perungkarunai Nayagi.
Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a Deepa sthambam. The stalapurana reliefs of crocodile with a child and Sundarar facing moolavar are at the base of the stone Deepasthambam ( The stahala puram – miracle done by Sundarar after he sung the hymns on Lord Shiva ). The Rajagopuram is of 7 tiers. Nandi, balipedam and Dwajasthambam are in the mandapam on the outer prakaram after Rajagopuram. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Shiva Durgai. Dwarapalakars are little large is size. It was told that first to worship Vazhikatti Vinayagar, Pathirimarathu Amman and then Moolavar.
In the inner prakaram 63var, Sahasra Lingam, Niruthu Vinayagar, Pancha Lingams, Gaja Lakshmi, Senthil Andavar, Sandikeswarar, Kala Bhairavar ( This is a rare and unique feature of this temple that Bhairavar is in the inner prakaram ).
In the outer parakaram Chandran, Siva Suryan, Subramaniyar, Karunambigai facing east ( Ambal in a separate temple ), Niruthi Vinayagar , Paathiri Tree ( Sthal Viruksham , Murugan sannadhi ( without Valli Devasena ), Natarajar in a Saba mandapam, Navagrahas, Shaniswarar.
Ambal is in a separate temple facing east with a separate 5 Tier Rajagopuram. The entrance through Rajagopuram is kept closed. Balipedam and Nandhi are in front. In koshtam Vinayagar, Ichasakthi, Sandikeswari, Kriyasakthi and Durgai.
It was told that during King’s rule, the soldier sacrificed themselves to Lord Shiva of this temple. A Hero Navakanda relief is in the pillar of Nandhi and Dwajasthamba Mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
There is a mandapam built before Rajagopuram during Vijayanagara period. There is Soolakkal, to signifies the donation of land erected in front of the mandapam, The pillars of the Dwajasthamba mandapam has the sculptures of Shiva’s oorthuva dhandavam and other forms of Shiva. The mandapa wall has the stucco images of the sthalapurana. There is a Murugan sannadhi with mandapam in between Shiva and Ambal Sannadhi.
The temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, arthamandapam, mahamandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pathabhandha adhisthana. The Prastharam is of kabotha style with karnakood. Bootha ganas are in the valabi. A 3 tier Vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since this is one of the Paadal Petra Shiva Temple, the temple exists before 7th Century and expanded during, Chozhas, Kongu Chozhas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagaras and Nayaks.
As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Avinashialudaiyar, Avinashi Aludaiya Nayanar and Ambal as Kamakottathu Perungkarunai Nayagi.
The inscriptions are available from Kulothunga Chozha-I (1152 AD), Veera Rajendran ( 1222 AD), Vikrama Chozha-III ( 1267AD), Kongu Pandyan Sundara Pandyan ( 14th Century ), 14th Century Hoysalas, Vijayanagar Achutharayar ( 1538), Veera Vallalan-III, Maharayar ( 16th Century ) in Kanada & Nandhi Nagari and 17th Century .
The inscriptions speaks about Donation of Vadaparisara Nattu Alathur village to this Temple, Donation of 30 Cows by the King for the arthajama pooja and burning of perpetual lamp, After depositing payment in the treasury permission was given to the Parpanars to use China ( Silk ) Umbrella, Kerala type Umbrella, Horse procession for marriage, white washing houses etc., Mentions Veerarajendran’s wife & Queen Chilambazhvi who donated land, Shiva Bramanas to take of the Temple treasury and if any shortfall occurs, they will sell their right of pooja and compensate the shortfall, Donation of money for burning of perpetual lamp, Mentions Thirukanaper ( Kalayar Koil ), Installation of Sandesa Nayanar after renovating the Veerapandyan Thiruvolakka Mandapam, Donation of Manickavasagar copper statue.
CONTACT DETAILS :
CONTACT DETAILS :
The land line number is 04296 273 507
HOW TO REACH:
The place Avinashi is on the main road Coimbatore to Erode. Express and ordinary buses stops at old Bus stand. The temple is about 200 meters from the old Bus stand.
It is a junction for Erode, Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Gobichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam and Tiruppur.
Nearest Railway Station is Tiruppur.
Deepasthamnbam base sthalapurana
Deepasthambam base sthalapurana
Soolakal & Mandapa pillar relief- Anjaneyar
Mandapa Pillar relief
Sthalapurana
Inscriptions panels
Sthalapurana - in valabi boothavari
Inscriptions - China umbrella
Kannada inscription
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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