- January 16, 2025
Contents
| Shiva Sthalam Name | Avinashi (Thiruppukkoliyur) |
|---|---|
| Main Deity (Moolavar) | Avinashiappar (Avinashinathar, Perungkediliappar), Avinashi Lingeswarar |
| Goddess/Consort (Amman/Thayar) | Karunambigai, Perungkarunai Nayagi |
| Sacred Tree (Thala Virutcham) | Paathiri Tree |
| Holy Water (Theertham) | Kasikkinaru, Nagakannikai Theertham, Airavatha Theertham |
| Ancient Name (Purana Peyar) | Thiruppukkoliyur Avinashi, Thiruavinashi |
| Hymn (Pathigam) | Sundarar – 1 |
| Town/Village (Oor) | Avinashi |
| District (Mavattam) | Tiruppur |
Thennadudaiya Sivaney Potri
Ennaattavarkkum Iraivaa Potri
The Avinashi Lingeswarar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Avinashi Lingeshwarar Temple or Sri Avinasiappar Temple is a revered Shiva temple located in Avinashi, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu. Historically known as Thiruppukkoliyur, this temple holds significant religious and historical importance. It is the 259th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the first Shiva Sthalam in Kongu Nadu.
This temple has been praised in the Thevaram hymns by Sundarar. The verses highlight the miracle performed by Lord Shiva through Sundarar, restoring a child swallowed by a crocodile.
உரைப்பார் உரை என்று எடுத்த திருப்பாட்டு முடியாமுன் உயர்ந்த
வரைப் பான்மையில் நீள் தடம்புயத்து மறலி மைந்தன் உயிர் கொணர்ந்து
திரைப்பாய் புனலின் முதலைவாயில் உடலில்சென்ற ஆண்டுகளும்
தரைப்பால் வளர்ந்தது என நிரம்ப முதலை வாயில் தருவித்தான்
…… பெரிய புராணம்
எற்றான் மறக்கேன் எழுமைக்கும் எம்பெரு மானையே
உற்றாயென் றுன்னையே உள்குகின் றேனுணர்ந் துள்ளத்தாற்
புற்றா டரவா புக்கொளி யூரவி நாசியே
பற்றாக வாழ்வேன் பசுபதி யேபர மேட்டியே.
உரைப்பார் உரையுகந் துள்கவல் லார்தங்கள் உச்சியாய்
அரைக்கா டரவா ஆதியும் அந்தமும் ஆயினாய்
புரைக்காடு சோலைப் புக்கொளி யூரவி நாசியே
கரைக்கால் முதலையைப் பிள்ளை தரச்சொல்லு காலனையே.
—-சுந்தரர் தேவாரம்
As per Kongumandala Sathagam written by Karmega Pulavar the Avinashi sthala purana says..
உரைப்பார் உரையென்று உள்குற வல்லார் உச்சியின் மீதே ஒளிவிடு சுடரே
அரைக்காடு அரவா ஆதியும் நடுவும் அந்தமும் அளவும் அல்லவும் ஆனாய்
புரக்காடு அவைசூழ் புக்கொளி யூரா புகழவி நாசிப் புண்ணிய முதலே
காரைக்கால் முதலையைப் பிள்ளை தரச்சொல் காலனை என்று கட்டுரை செய்தார்
…. அவநாசிப்புராணம்
Main Deity: Sri Avinashi Lingeshwarar (also known as Sri Avinasieeswarar, Sri Avinashinathar, Sri Perungkediliappar)
Goddess: Sri Karunambigai (also known as Sri Perungkarunai Nayagi)
Eastern Entrance: The temple faces east with a prominent Deepasthambam (lamp post). The base of the Deepasthambam features reliefs depicting the Sthala Purana (legend) of Sundarar and the crocodile.
Rajagopuram: A 7-tiered Rajagopuram (main tower) marks the entrance.
Outer Prakaram: Contains the Rishabam (Nandi bull), Balipeedam (altar), and Dwajasthambam (flag post). Also houses shrines for Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Shiva Durgai. The Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) are notably large.
Inner Prakaram: Features shrines for the 63 Nayanmars, Sahasra Lingam (1000 Lingams), Niruthu Vinayagar, Pancha Lingas, Gaja Lakshmi, Senthil Andavar, Chandikeswarar, and Kala Bhairavar (uniquely located within the inner prakaram).
Separate Ambal Shrine: Goddess Karunambigai has a separate temple facing east with a 5-tiered Rajagopuram.
Sthal Viruksham (Sacred Tree): Paathiri Tree
Other Shrines: Include Chandran (Moon), Siva Suriyan (Sun), Subramaniyar, Murugan (without Valli Devasena), Natarajar in a Saba mandapam, Navagrahas, and Shaniswarar.
Vijayanagara Period Mandapam: A mandapam built before the Rajagopuram during the Vijayanagara period features a Soolakkal (stone marker signifying land donation). The pillars of the Dwajasthamba mandapam showcase sculptures of Shiva’s Oorthuva Thandavam and other forms.
Temple Structure: The temple complex includes the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, mahamandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum has a simple pada bandha adhistana and a 3-tiered Vimana.
The temple’s history dates back before the 7th century, with expansions during the Chola, Kongu Chola, Pandya, Hoysala, Vijayanagara, and Nayak periods. Inscriptions refer to Shiva as Avinashialudaiyar, Avinashi Aludaiya Nayanar, and Ambal as Kamakottathu Perungkarunai Nayagi. The place was also known as Dakshina Varanasi (Southern Varanasi).
Inscriptions from the Chola period (12th-13th centuries) record donations of land, lamps, and funds for temple maintenance and services. Inscriptions from the Vijayanagara period (15th-16th centuries) mention renovations and gifts by rulers and merchants. An inscription from the 18th century records renovations by an officer during the Mysore rule.
The most famous legend associated with the temple is the story of Sundarar bringing back a child who was swallowed by a crocodile. This miracle is central to the temple’s identity and is depicted in reliefs and sculptures.
6 poojas are offered everday in this temple. They are:
1. Temple opening: 5.00 A.M
2. Ushat Kalam: 5.30 to 6.00 A.M
3. Kaala Sandhi : 8.00 to 8.30 A.M
4. Uchikalam : 12.00 to 12.30 P.M
5. Sayarakshai: 5.30 to 6.00 P.M
6. Artha Saman: 7.30 to 8.00 P.M
Avinashi is located on the Coimbatore-Erode main road. The temple is about 200 meters from the old bus stand. Tiruppur is the nearest railway station.
Avinashiappar Temple Contact Number: +91 8778659631
Mangalam Rd, Avinashi, Tamil Nadu 641654
