Sri Atkondanathar Temple / ஆட்கொண்டநாதர் கோயில், இரணியூர் / Iranikkovil, Iraniyur, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Atkondanathar temple at Iraniyur near Tirupattur was a part of structural and Rock Cut cave  Shiva and Vishnu temples visit in Tiruchirappalli, Pudukottai and Sivaganga Districts, on 21^st November 2021. This is one of the 9 Shiva temples constructed by Nattukkottai Nagarathars, after they shifted from Thiruvarur and about 3800 families belongs to this temple. 

 

Moolavar  : Sri Atkondanathar

Consort    : Sri Sivapuradevi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with Ashta Lakshmi Mukha mandapam. Stucco images of Vinayagar, Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar and Murugan are on the mukha mandapam parapet wall. The Rajagopurams on the east side and South side are 5 Tiers. Moolavar is of swayambhu. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam are in maha mandapam in front of ardha mandapam. Utsavars and Natarajar are in ardha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are infront of the ardha mandapam. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy is on pedestal supported by 4 lions, Lingothbavar and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south with 2 hands in bhaya varada hastam. Bhairavar is also in a separate sannidhi adjacent to Ambal Sannidhi. In praharam Natarajar, Suryan, Chandran, Navagrahas, Somaskandar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar / Murugan ( all the three are in sitting posture on Peacock vahanam), Gajalakshmi and Chandikeswarar.

Kali, Vayu, Rathi and Manmathan

Kalyana sundarar, Varunan and Maha vishnu & Narasimhar

Murugan, Manickavasagar, Indran and Tripurantagar

Venkadamudayan, Agni, Durvasar and Narthana Vinayagar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, Maha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam. Ashta Lakshmi sculptures are in the Mukha mandapam in front of Rajagopuram. Ashtalakshmi Sculptures are on the pillars. The Mukha mandapam ceilings are painted with floral designs, Lord Shiva, Parvati, 12 rasis etc,.

The maha mandapam pillars are with exquisitely carved more than 200 big sculptures which includes, Nava Durgai, Murugan, Vinayagar, Pickshadanar, Veerabhadrar,  Rishabaroodar, Thiripurantagar, Lord Shiva with Parvati’s marriage, Ardhanareeswarar, Brahmi, Saraswati, Kalasamharamurthy ( the veins on the legs are carved very beautifully ), Mahishamardhini,  on the Rajagopuram Hiranya Kashibhu vadham by Narasimhar. On the Rajagopuram base front side has the bas reliefs of Vinayagar, Murugan /Subramaniyar as mayil vahanar, Manickavasagar, Indran, Thirupurantakar,  Maha Vishnu, Agni, Dhurvasar and Narthana Vinayagar,

A stone pipe arrangement was made on both sides of Sanctum sanctorum to drain out the rain water from the roof. The interconnecting beams of the pillars has floral designs, which includes Mahatma Gandhi, Rattai etc,.  

The sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam are in a raised level of about 3 feet from the praharam level.  The sanctum sanctorum is on a padabandha adhitanam with Jagathi, Threepatta Kumuda and Pattigai  on an Upanam with lotus petals and kapotham. A 3 tier stucco vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. Provision has been made in the ardha mandapam to view Various levels from Shiva & Parvati, Kalasam of Moolavar vimanam along with Lord Shiva’s darshan.

Ardhanareesawarar as Rishabanthigar and Durgai

Durgai & Shiva & Parvati Marriage

 Veerabhadra & Pichadanar

Ashtalakshmi Mandapam

Stone pipe for rainwater disposal

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the temple web site this Iraniyur temple was handed over to Nattukottai Nagarathars in the year 714 CE. Hence the original temple belongs to 8^th century.

This temple belongs to 3800 families resides in 34 Villages of Sivagangai District. As per Nattukottai Nagarathar’s history, 502 families lived in Kaviripoompattinam east street, accepted Pandya King’s request and settled at Ilayathangudi. During 7^th Century, in that 502 families, two brothers came to this place renovated and expanded Sri Atkondanathar temple. 

LEGENDS

This is one of the ashta Bhairava Kshethram and Bhairavar is Kala Bhairavar, Vinayagar is Viththaka Vinayagar.  Kubera and Vayu Bhagwan appeared on a horse vahana and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

To get rid of the sin caused due to killing of Hiranyakasibhu, Maha Vishu Came to this temple and worshiped, hence this place obtained the name of Iraniyur. Since Lord Shiva, blessed Lord Maha Vishnu and relieved from the sin, Lord Shiva is called as Atkondanathar.  When Maha Vishnu took the Narsimha avatar / incarnation in a furious form, Ambica, the sister of Maha Vishnu also took 9 furious forms as Nava Durgai. The same is sculptured on the pillars of maha mandapam. Students pray Kala Bhairavar for achieving high ranks in studies.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Kubera Poojas, Thirukarthigai ( November – December ), Kandar Sashti, Thiruvathirai in Markazhi ( December – January ), Maha shivaratri ( February – March ), Masi magam star Day in the months ( February - March ) are celebrated in a grand manner.

Due to presence of Kala samhara moorthy , People celebrate their 60^th birthdays ( Sashtiyapthapoorthi ) and 80^th birthdays ( sathabishekam ), Kanakabhishekam, Bhimaratha Shanthi, Ayush Homam, Kanakabhishekam, in this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs to 16.30 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The land line and mobile numbers of Viduthi + 914577 265645    +9198424809309, Manager +91 97506 36636 and +91 9443947997 and Mani Gurukkal +91 909521840.. may be contacted for further details..

The Official website http://www.iranikovil.org/about-us.php

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Iraniyur is about 14 KM from Tirupattur,  18 KM from Thirumayam,  26 KM from Karaikudi,  86 KM from Tiruchirappalli and 412 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Karaikudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Kalasamharamoorthy

Hiranyakashibhu vatham

Moolavar, Moolavar Vimanam, kalasam darshan

Mahatma Gandhi

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