Abirameshwarar Temple / Sri Abirameswarar Temple / திருவாமாத்தூர் அபிராமேசுவரர் கோயில், Thiruvamathur, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 53^rd Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Temple and 21^st  temple of Nadu Naadu. The name of the place Amathur referred in Thevara hymns remains the with the prefix of Thiru as Thiruvamathur. This place on the banks of river – Pambai River – Gingee river -  Sangarabarani River – Chunnambar River, a tributary to Gingee River ( called different names in different places till it confluence with the sea ).

In Periya Puranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Sri Veeratteswarar of Thiruvadhigai and he went to Thirukovilur. Further he records that Thirunavukkarasar also followed the same route.  

    பரவி ஏத்திய திருப்பதிகத்து இசை பாடினார் பணிந்து அங்கு

    விரவும் அன்பொடு மகிழ்ந்து இனிது உறைபவர் விமலரை வணங்கிப் போய்

    அரவ நீர்ச்சடை அம்கணர்தாம் மகிழ்ந்து உறைதிரு ஆமாத்தூர்

    சிரபுரத்து வந்தருளிய திருமுறைச் சிறுவர் சென்று அணைவுற்றார்

...பெரியபுராணம் திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

    திருஅதிகைப் பதிமருங்கு திருவெண்ணை நல்லூரும்

    அருளுதிரு ஆமாத்தூர் திருக்கோவலூர் முதலா

    மருவு திருப்பதி பிறவும் வணங்கி வளத்தமிழ்பாடிப்

    பெருகுவிருப்புடன் விடையார் மகிழ் பெண்ணாகடம் அணைந்தார்

.... பெரியபுராணம் திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

This is one of the temples, where all three ( Moovar- Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, and Sundarar ) Nayanmars have sung hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple. Appar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple after the Thiruvathigai Kunaparaveecharam temple was built ( after dismantling the Jain temple... ? ).

   குன்றவார் சிலை நாணராவரி வாளிகூர்எரி காற்றின் மும்மதில்

   வென்றவாறு எங்ஙனே விடையேறும் வேதியனே

    தென்றலார்மணி மாடமாளிகை குளிகைக்கெதிர் நீண்ட பெண்ணைமேல்

    அன்றில் வந்தனையும் ஆமாத்தூர் அம்மானே

.. திருஞானசம்பந்தர் தேவாரம்

    மாமத் தாகிய மாலயன் மால்கொடு

    தாமாத் தேடியும் காண்கிலர் தாள் முடி

    ஆமாத் தூர்அர னேஅரு ளாய் என்றென்று

    ஏமாப்பு எய்திக்கண்டார் இறை யானையே

..... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

    பொன்னவன் பொன்னவன் ஏழுல கத்துயிர் தங்கட்குக்

    கண்ணவன் கண்ணவன் காண்டும்என் பாரவர் தங்கட்குப்

    பெண்ணவன் பெண்ணவன் மேனியோர் பாகமாம் பிஞ்ஞகன்

    அண்ணவன் அண்ணவன் ஆமாத் தூர்எம் அடிகளே

.... சுந்தரர் தேவாரம்

Moolavar  : Sri Abirameswarar, Sri Azhakia nathar

Consort    : Sri Muthambigai, Sri Azhakia Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are ....

The temple is facing east with a 7-tier Rajagopuram. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. There are two Rishabas. The big one is made of stucco and the other one is of stone, a pit was built around this Rishabam. ( The purpose of Rishabam in a pit is to pray Shiva to get rain during drought seasons, by immersing Rishabam in water ). Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In Prakaram Siddhi Vinayagar, Murugan, Sivapooja Vinayagar, Natarajar, Pichadanar, Sahasralingam, Lord Rama, Goddess Lakshmi, Saptamatrikas, Naalvar, 63 var, Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar  and Navagrahas. In addition to this, there are ashta Lingas- Sri Abirameshwarar, Esanya Lingeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Arunachaleswarar, Hanuman Lingam, Sattanathar, Kubera Lingam and Vayu Lingam. 

The 15^th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.

    அடவியி னூடு வேடர்க் ளரிவையொ டாசை பேசியு

            மடிதொழு தாடு மாண்மையு                              முடையோனே

        அழகிய தோளி ராறுடை ஆறுமுக வேளே னாவுனை

            அறிவுட னேது மாதவர்                                        பெருவாழ்வே

    விடையெறு மீசர் நேசமு மிகநினை வார்கள் தீவினை

            யுகநெடி தோட மேலணை                                   பவர்மூ தூர்

        விரைசெறி தோகை மாதர்கள் விரகுடனாடு மாதையில்

            விறல்மயில் மீது மேவிய                                      பெருமாளே

Dwarapalakas

Murugan - Nandhi Devar

Durgai

Dakshinamurthy

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. A Stucco Rishabam is under a mandapam and another Rishabam is inside a pit with a small Vimanam.  

This is one of the temple where the Ambal temple is facing west, separately built opposite to Shiva temple with a 5-tier Rajagopuram and a public road in between. Since Ambal Temple faces Shiva Temple, This Temple is called upadesa sthalam. Ambal is in Standing posture with Abhaya varada hastam. A Sri Chakra under the feet of Ambal is believed to have been installed by Adi Sankara.

There are 3 Bas reliefs on flat stone slabs of 1. Maha Vishnu + Shiva Linga + Brahma, 2. Shiva Pooja Vinayagar and  3. Rama + Sita. Hanuman is also installed.

Main Temple Vimanam

Main Temple Vimanam

Main Temple Vimanam

Ambal temple Vimanam 

Ambal Temple 

Ambal Temple 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was built by Pallavas and latter reconstructed by Chozhas, Pandyas, and Achutha Deva Pallava, Vijayanagaras. The recorded inscriptions period are between 955 CE to 1584 CE, belong to Rajaraja-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, Rajathirajan-I, Kulothunga Chozha-I, Vikramathithan, Sadaya Varman, Vikrama Pandyan and Krishna Devarayar. This Place Thiruvamathur was called as, Rajendra Chozha Valanattu, Aruva Nattu Meivazhi Vavalur Nattu Devathanamana Thiruvamathur, and Rajaravala Nattu Panayur Nattu Devathanamana Thiruvamathur. Shiva was called as Thiruvamathur Udaya Perumanadigal, Thiruvamathur Udaya Azhakiya Nayanar.

Rajaraja-I’s 26^th reign year inscription starts with his meikeerthi, and records that Thiruvamathur in "Thondaimandalam" alias Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Panaiyur nattu Vavalur nattu Thevadhana Thiruvamathur.  

"கோவிராஜராஜ கேஸரி பந்மரான  ஸ்ரீ ராஜராஜ தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு 26  ஆவது தொண்டைமண்டலமான ஜயங்கொண்டசோழ மண்டலத்துப்  பனையூர் நாட்டு வாவலூர் நாட்டு  தேவதானம் திருவாமாத்தூர் ".....

One of the inscriptions records the grant of blind students to recite Thevaram hymns in this temple. 

Rajaraja-I, 25^th year reign inscription ( AR 402 of 1903 SII-VIII-718 ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which land was donated after purchase by A merchant Vannakkan Malayan Karrali. 

Kopera Kesari Barmar,  Paranthakan-I 3^rd year reign inscription ( AR 403 of 1903, SII  VIII- 719 ) records the endowment of burning Two perpetual lamps, by Arivalan Keni alias Semabin Kettimanadigal for which 20 kalanju gold was given to the sabha and also built a thiruchutru malikai ie prakaram. Another 4th-year reign inscription ( AR 404 of 1903, SII VIII-720 ) records the endowment of burning 2 perpetual lamp for which 12 Kalanju gold was deposited. The interest is to be used for supplying one ulakku. This has to be borne by the Sabha and the villagers. 

Ko Rajakesari ( Sundara Chozha or Rajaraja-I) 3rd-year reign inscription ( AR 405 of 1903, SII VIII-721 ) records the burning of a perpetual lamp for which 96 goats are gifted by Vikrama chozha Marayan. 

Veera Rajendran’s 3^rd year reign inscription ( AR 406 of 1903, SII VIII- 722 ) records the endowment of the perpetual lamp at Moolavar Sannadhi for which 15 Kalanju Gold, Natarajar Sannadhi and Nilai lamp ( weight  .... ) for which additional gold of 37 kalanju... the inscription is incomplete. 

Koparakesari Barmar 5^th year reign inscription ( AR 407 of 1903, SII VIII- 723 ) records the endowment of burning 1 ¼ perpetual lamp for which land was sold by Nandhi Puththan alias Chembiyan Mooventha Velan.  15^th year reign inscription ( AR 408 of 1903, SII VIII-724 ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 15 kalanju god was gifted by ChikkaludayanNakkan Kanichchan alias Chozha Mooventha Velan. The income from the gold is to supply ghee of one ulakku to this temple.

Koparakesari Barmar ( May be Parantaka-I )  6th-year reign inscription  ( AR 413 of 1903, SII VIII- 729 ) is incomplete but records the name of the sthapathy who built this temple by Arkur Thachchan Naranan Vekanthan alias Thiruvamathur Asari ( Achari )....

Madurai Konda Koparakesari's ( Parantaka-I) 15th-year reign inscription ( AR 409 of 1903, SII VIII- 725 ) records the burning of perpetual Lamp for which 100 goats were gifted by Aruva Nattu Arumpuliyur Puliyur KizhavanChozha Chi..........

Koparakesari Barmar ( May be Parantaka-I) 15th-year reign inscription ( AR 417 of 1903, SII VIII – 733) records the endowment of pooja ( Sandal, ) material for which 10 Kalanju gold was gifted by KazhumapallavaVijayamangala Kizhan Arathunai Marayan.

Venrumankonda Sambuvarayar period 14th-year reign inscription ( AR 434 of 1903 SII-VIII – 750 ) records that the temple was in dilapidated condition.  Sirupparamudayar’s son Ayyurathithan Pallavarayan had seen the king and received an order of reconstruction of a dilapidated portion and continuation of Poojas for which land was gifted.

The other inscriptions belong to Madurai Konda Koparakesari’s 25^th year & 14^th year, Maduraiyum Eezhamum Konda Koparakesari 41st year, Rajendra-I’s Meikeerthi, & 3^rd year, Rajaraja-I’s 2^nd  year with his meikeerthi, 24^th year with his meikeerthi, 13th-year reign, Madurai Konda Koparakesari, Kulothunga Chozhas 45^th year, 2nd-year inscriptions records mainly the endowment of burning perpetual lamps for which Gold, Money, Land, and goat etc was gifted.

Ref:

1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume VIII

2. Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy 1903. 

 May be the King who constructed the temple

LEGENDS

It is believed that Goddess Parvati, Vinayagar, Murugan, Sages Agasthiyar, Vashister, Durvasar, Brungi, Parasarar, Viswamithrar, Veda Viyasar, Roma rishi, Narathar, Mathanga Muni, Ashta Vasus, Nandhi, Kamadhenu, Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmanan and Hanuman, worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.    

Vannasarabam Sri Dhandapani Swamikal lived in this place. The first “Kaumara Madam” was established in this place. There are many hoof marks on the Shiva Linga. These markings signify that Moolavar was worshiped by the cows and prayed to Lord Shiva by doing milk abhishekam.

In ancient times cows do not have horns to protect themselves from wild animals. They requested Nandhi, Lord Shiva’s attendant to give a solution for this. Nandhi advised them to worship Lord Shiva of this temple along with Kamadhenu. Satisfied by their devotion Lord Shiva blessed them with horns to protect themselves. The name of this place Thiruvamathur was derived from Thiru + Aa + Matha + Ur = Thiru a respectful prefix, Aa – Cows, Matha- Mother, and Ur – Village. Hence this place is considered a Parental house. It is believed that Lord Shiva, Brahma, Maha Vishnu, Maha Lakshmi, and Saraswati live in the Cow. Hence Cows are worshiped as Go matha.     

Vattaparai Amman Sannathi is famous here, which is on the southwest corner of the Ambal temple. To find out the truth about a guilty person, the person will have to do sathyam - Swear in front of  Amman. It is believed that Ambal will give punishment to the guilty. Now only Shiva Lingam is installed in place of Ambal. A Shiva Linga on a Square avudayar is Installed in the Shrine.

Sage Brungi Muni, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, went to Kailash to worship Lord Shiva. Since Ma Parvati was with Lord Shiva, he took the form of a bee and worshiped Lord Shiva alone by circumambulating between Lord Shiva and Parvati. Parvati got angry and cursed him to become a Vanni Tree. Realizing his mistake Brungi Muni begged to pardon him. Ma Parvati advised him to come to this place and worship under the Vanni Tree. Brungi Muni came to this place.  Birungi Muni worshiped Lord Shiva & Parvati and was relieved from the curse.

In another legend, the poets Ilam Surya and Mudu Surya, who had written the “Thiruvamathur Kalambagam” came to this Place. They had mentioned that the River is flowing on the western side of the Temple. Since the river was flowing on the east side of the temple, the  Villagers started teasing them and asked to change in their verse. For their prayer, Lord Shiva came to their rescue and changed the course of the river by flooding through heavy downpours. Next day the river was flowing on the western side of the temple and needed no corrections in their verse.    

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri in Masi ( Feb – march ), 10 days Brahmotsavam in Tamil Month Panguni ( March – April ), Aadi Poonam in Tamil month Aadi ( July – Aug ), Vinayagar Chaturthi in Avani ( Aug- Sep ), Navaratri in Puratasi (Sep-Oct) and Annabhishekam in Tamil Month Aipasi ( Oct- Nov ). 

Brahma - Shiva ( Lingam ) - Vishnu 

Jyeshta Devi

Lakuleesar..?

Lakuleesar..?

Pichadanar

Early Vinayagars

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Land lines and mobile numbers +91 4146 223379 and +91 98430 66252 / +91 9842022544 / +91 9976887652 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

Town buses are available from Viluppuram Main bus stand. Route nos 22, 8C, 32, 6E, and 18. Buses going to Mel Gudalur and Elu Sempon are going via this temple. 

The Minibus is also available from the old bus stand. To catch the bus, better to wait at the Hospital Stop signal, Viluppuram ( Chennai buses also pass through this stop )

Thiruvamathur is 7.5 KM from Viluppuram, 40 KM from Tindivanam, 57 KM from Thiruvannamalai, and 165 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Villupuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Rama, Sita, Lakshmanan and Hanuman Temple

 Kshetrapala ...? - Durgai  

Chandikeswara

SAPTAMATRIKAS GROUP

Saptamatrikas

Yogeswara

Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas - Varahi

Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas

An old painting on the Ceiling

OLD PHOTOS

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---