Varichiyur Asthagireewarar Temple, Madurai

Address

Varichiyur Asthagireewarar Temple, Varichiyur, Gunnathur, Madurai District – 625020

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

It is located at a distance of 444 km from Chennai and 12 km from Madurai. The second cave temple for Lord Shiva is located on the western slope of Varichiyur hill. The Shiva temple has a simple structure with a small sanctum sanctorum. It bears witness to the early Pandyan period cave. Inside only the Shivalingam is set in natural rock. The temple is also known as Lord Asthagriswarar as it is a hill facing west. Lord Astagireewarar is said to be the place where the rays of light fall on the lingam till this time when the sun goes down. The period of these is also the 8th century AD.

Puranic Significance

They built this temple to make all the luxuries available to the country. Therefore, it is customary for princes to worship at this temple during the reigning season. The Astagireewarar Temple to the west was demolished to worship the old kings at the end of their reign.