Description
The Athmanathar temple is also known as Avudayar temple located in Tiruperunthurai Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated around 15 kms from the town of Aranthangi in Sivagangai district. Tirupperundurai is a Lord Shiva temple. It is said that the king has been converted to the Shiva's cult by the Manikkavacakar and then the temple was built using the money that is meant for war-horses. The sacred book named as Saivism, Thiruvasakam of Manickavasakar have been formed from this shrine. The temple has breath taking sculptures. The sculptures are designed in very details where you can easily see even the nerves in their body.
History
In ancient time, the Pandya King gave an order to the head of the cabinet, Manickavachagar to purchase horses for him. But, Manickavachagar had exhausted all the money in building the Lord Shiva temple. Knowing about this, the king anguished over Manickavachagar. After knowing about the unfortunate incident that happened to his devotee Manickavachagar, Lord Shiva accompanied by the sivaganas transformed the jackals from the close by forest into horses and herd them to the kings palace. Later, Manickavachagar stayed back at the Thirupperunthurai where he was surrounded by the other devotees. There the Lord Shiva asked Manickavachagar to write down the 8 Thiruvachagam, Thirumurai, and baptized to Manickavachagar.
Importance/Significance
The Avudayar Koil temple is known widely for the thondar (Manickavachagar), sthalam (Siva sthalam), Vanam (Kuruntha vanam), Moorthy (Athmanathar), Puram (Siva Puram) and Theertham (Agni theerham).As per Manickam Iyer, there are some prominent features of the Ayudaiyar Koil temple in Tamil Nadu. There are sabhas, six groups of archakas, number of iron rods inside Kodungai, number of items that are presented as 'nivedanam', Aaru kala puja, the number of mantapams, above all in the 51 pathigams of Thiruvachagam. The sabhas and mayapams have been formed by using the six adharams and six adhwas.As the Lord Shiva was himself the Guru-Teacher of Saint Manickavasagar, the worshippers from around the world visit the temple to pray for their education and progress. People also come here to pray for their happy wedding life and child boons also.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
The two important festivals celebrated in the temple are Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July for 10 days and Margazhi Thiruvadhirai – Tiruvembavai in December-January for 10 days. This is not only the festival for the Shiv devotees but is known as Manickavasagar for Lord Shiva. When all saints come on car rath, vrysham vahan then the festival is considered as Brahmmostsavam. The last Monday of the karthikai month holds high importance. The priests and devotes offers special worship to Lord Shiva on Aani Magam star day in the months of Shivrathri in February-March, Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Aani Magam in June-July, Avani Moolam in August-September, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Tirukarthikai in November-December.The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. in the morning and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m in the night.
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