Aathur Muktheeswarar Temple – Kanchipuram

Address

Aathur Muktheeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram Aathur Village, Kanchipuram District Tamilnadu- 603101

Deity

Muktheeswarar Amman: Dharmasamvardhini Ambaal/ Aram Valartha Naayagi

Introduction

• Location: Aathur Village, near Chengalpet, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.
• Accessibility: Situated 5 km off the Chengalpattu Bridge, west of GST Road.
• Historical Context:
  • Believed to belong to the Chozha period.
  • The Shiva Lingam was discovered by Kulothungan Chozhan I in a mango tree forest while traveling from Kancheepuram to Mahabalipuram.
  • Koperuchingan further developed the temple and contributed to the south Rajagopuram of the Thillai (Chidambaram Natarajar Temple), as noted in stone inscriptions at both locations.

Puranic Significance

• Age and Deities: The temple is approximately 1000 years old, dedicated to Muktheeswarar (Shiva) and Goddess Dharmasamvardhini Ambaal (also known as Aram Valartha Naayagi).
• Unique Features:
  • The main Shiva Lingam, facing east, has a distinctive vertical ray that separates its top into two equal halves, symbolizing the Arthanareeswarar form of Lord Shiva (Shiva and Shakti).
  • A separate shrine for Vinayagar is located in the outer prakaram.
  • Numerous stone inscriptions detail the temple’s history and the installation of Vinayagar by a local villager during the Chozha reign.
• Geographical Context:
  • Located on the banks of the Palar River (Ksheera Nadhi), which serves as the Theertham for the temple.
  • The village’s name is derived from the Tamil word “Aaru,” meaning river, originally called ‘Aatru Oor.’
• Architectural Highlights:
  • The temple features beautiful prakarams with shrines for various deities, including Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Durgai, and Valli Devasena Sammedha Shanmugar.
  • The Shanmugar idol has six faces and twelve arms, intricately carved from a single stone, currently unanchored to the floor.
  • Jyeshta Devi, elder sister of Lakshmi, has a dedicated shrine.
  • Notable features include a beautifully sculpted Nandi facing west and a Navadhwaram (nine openings) window in front of Nandikeswarar.
  • The shrine for Ambaal Dharmasamvardhini is located on the northern side of the prakaram.
  • An excavation site reveals four Lingams, two of which are Baana Lingams without the base.
• Ashta Lingam Concept: The temple is believed to have eight Shivalingam shrines (Ashta Lingam) in all directions, similar to the Thiruvannamalai temple.
• Kumbhabhishekam: Last held on August 30, 1917.
• Sthala Viruksham: The temple has two sacred trees, Vilvam and a unique mango tree that produces fruits with different tastes, symbolizing the duality of Lord Shiva.

Festivals

• Major festivals celebrated at the temple include:
  • Pradosham
  • Maha Shivrathri
  • The temple conducts six poojas during Shivaratri, similar to the Thiruvannamalai temple.

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Aathur

Nearest Railway Station

Chengalpattu

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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