Abhishekhapuram Airavatheeswara Swamy Temple, Tirupur

Address

Abhishekhapuram Airavatheeswara Swamy Temple,

Abhishekhapuram, Kunnathur Road,

Tirupur District – 638 103

Phone: +91 99947 10322, 95665 01312

Moolavar

Airavatheeswara Swamy

Amman

Abhishekavalli

Introduction

Abhishekhapuram Airavatheeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple located in Abhishekhapuram, Tirupur district in Tamil Nadu. The temple has shrines of Airavatheeswarar, Abhishekavalli, Perumal, Dakshinamurthy, Vinayaka, Subramaniyar, Kalabhairava and Navagraha. The temple is classified as a principal temple under the control of the Hindu Charities Department.

Puranic Significance

Once, during a journey through the forest, Indra’s divine chariot, the Airavata, accidentally trampled upon a sage’s hermitage, disrupting his meditation. Enraged, the sage cursed the elephant to transform into a mouse, causing it to shrink in size. Distressed by what had happened, Indra sought forgiveness from Goddess Uma Maheswari, and upon the advice of Narada, he worshipped her by sprinkling holy water every morning before sunrise. As a result of this worship, Airavata regained its original form, thus illustrating the power of divine intervention in ancient history.

Special Features

In a town named after the temple where the consecration took place, the sacred ritual of consecration was conducted. This temple, called Airavateeswara Temple, was constructed during the Chola period in a magnificent architectural style. It was built under the reign of Veerarajendra Chola in the thirteenth century. The temple is known by this name because it is believed to have absolved the curse on Indra’s elephant, Airavata.

In the sanctum sanctorum of the Ambal Abhisheka Valli shrine, the goddess is seen facing eastward with four hands, holding lotuses in the upper pair and bestowing boons with the lower pair. Devotees, especially women seeking fertility, throng the temple premises during auspicious Fridays. Inside the shrine, Maha Lakshmi and Samundi are worshipped. Seven exquisite sculptures of celestial maidens adorn the eastern prakara, adding to the temple’s grandeur. The Dashavatara sculptures seen in this temple are marvels of artistic beauty. Surrounding the sanctum, one can find a sculpture of Mangala Vinayaka. The presiding deity, Airavateeswara, blesses devotees facing eastward from the sanctum sanctorum in the form of a linga. The temple’s history is inscribed on copper plates placed in the ardhamandapa.