Achalpuram(Nallur Perumanam) Sri Shivalokath Thyagaraja Swami Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Achalpuram (Nallur Perumanam) Sri Shivalokath Thyagaraja Swami Temple, Achalpuram Post, Sirkazhi Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 101. PH:04364-278272

Diety

Sivalogathyagesar, Amman: Venneetru Umaiyammai,

Introduction

Achalpuram Shivalokathyagar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Achalpuram in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Shivalokathyagar. His consort is known as Tiruvennetru Umaiammai. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. The temple is believed to have been the place where saint Sambanthar’s spirit merged with the deity. Theertham (Holy water): Panchakshara, Brihu, Ashwa, Vasishta, Athiri, Jamadagni, Vyasa and Mirukandu Theerthams Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilvam tree

Puranic Significance

The historical name of this place is “Nallur Perumanam” – Nallur is the village where Saint Gnanasambanthar’s bride hails from. “Perumanam” or “periya thirumanam” means a “big wedding” in Tamil. Other historical names of this place are Shivalogam, Thirunallur, Mukthipuram and Thirumanavai. Now it is known as Achalpuram. This is one of the 27 temples that are under the administration of the Dharumapuram Aadheenam.According to legend, Gnanasambanthar’s father, Shivapada Hrudayar, chose Mangai Nallal (Sthothra Poornambigai) – the daughter of Nambandar Nambi of Nallur village as the bride for his son. Nallur is very near to this place and it is believed that the bride was brought in a procession from that village for their marriage. The wedding took place at this place. Thiruneelanakka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, conducted the rituals. While circumambulating the wedding fire pit with his bride, Gnanasambathar prayed to Lord Shiva to protect him from the problems of a marital life and praised him with Kallur Perumanam hymn. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a huge fire (Agni) and invited Sambanthar to merge with him (Shiva Jyothi) along with the entire gathering. Enchanted with Lord Shiva’s darshan, Sambanthar sang his last Pathigam – “Namachivaya Thiruppathigam” and merged with Lord Shiva in the fire (“Agni”) along with the entire gathering and attained salvation. His last pathigam highlights the glory of “Panchakshara Mantra” – Na Ma Shi Va Ya. This is the only temple where 4 Nayanmars – Thirugnanasambandhar, Thiruneelanakka Nayanar, Thiruneelakanda Yazhpaanar, Muruga Nayanar – have attained Mukthi (Salvation). Apart from them, Thiruneelakanda Yazhpaanar’s wife, Mathanga Soolaamaniyar also merged in the Agni and attained salvation. Since Goddess Parvathy herself gave Vibudhi (sacred ash) prasadam to the entire marriage gathering, Goddess Parvathy is called Thiruvenneetru Umaiyammai and this place is called Achalpuram. So, as a unique feature of this temple, Vibudhi prasadam is given in the Goddess’s shrine. This Vibudhi prasadam is considered very auspicious. The name Achalpuram is believed to have been arrived at from “Aayal” which means Goddess Parvathi and “Puram” which means place in Tamil. Another reasoning behind this name is that it is believed to have been derived from the name “Achariyapuram”. “Achariya” means learned guru and “Puram” means place in Tamil. This name signifies the fact that Saint Thirugnasambanthar attained salvation here as he is often referred to as “Achariya”. Sages Vashishtar, Kakabujandar, Viswamithrar, Parasara, Jamadagni, Dhurvasar, Brigu and Manthatha were blessed with a vision of Shivalokam (Kailash darshan) after their rigourous penance here. For this reason, Lord Shiva of this temple is also praised as “Sri Shivalokathyakar”. It is believed that Sage Kakabujandar travelled to this place by walking with his hands. He considered this place so sacred that he did not want to soil it by placing his feet there. It is believed that he was also one of the attendees of Sambanthar’s wedding and he also attained salvation here. Lords Vishnu, Brahma, Murugan, Indhiran, Chandran, Ganga Devi and king Manthatha of Ayodya are also believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Beliefs

This temple is considered to be a Mukthi Sthalam (a place to attain salvation). It is believed that worshiping Lord Rina Vimochanar (a form of Lord Shiva) here will clear all our debts and remove obstacles from marriage proposals. It is also believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to this lord. It is considered especially auspicious to worship him on Mondays. It is significant to note that Lord Rina Vimochanar is present only in three temples – Thirucherai, Thiruvarur and Achalpuram. In Goddess Thiruveneetru Ammai’s shrine, sacred ash is given as prasadam instead of the usual Kumkum. It is believed that by applying this sacred ash on their forehead, women will be blessed with a long and prosperous married life.

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 5th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. It is said that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar attained salvation (mukthi) here during his wedding along with the entire gathering. Hence, this is the only temple where Thirugnanasambanthar can be seen with his wife. Thirugnanasambanthar sang his last Pathigam here. The last consecration ceremony took place on 24.06.2010 and prior to that on 29.04.1964. Other than the shrines of the main deities, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan, Mahalakshmi, Bairavar, Sattanathar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai (with 8 hands), 63 Nayanmars, Suryan, Chandran, Thiripura Samharar, Naganathar, Chandrasekar, Sekkizhar, Pitchandavar, Thiruneelakanda Yazhpaanar and his wife, Mathanga Soolaamaniyar, Thiruneela Nakkar and Muruga Nayanar can be seen in the corridors. There is a separate shrine for Lord Rina Vimochanar in the corridor. “Rina” (Runa) means debts and “Vimochanam” means relief in Tamil. Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is in a separate temple with a Nandhi in front of her instead of a lion that is usually seen there. There is a separate shrine for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and his wife Sthothra Poornambigai.

Festivals

The event of Sambanthar’s wedding where the entire gathering was blessed by Thiruveneetru Ammai (Goddess Parvathy) and attained salvation is commemorated every year during the Moolam star day in the Tamil month of Vaikasi.Mahashivrathri is also celebrated in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar).Pradosham is also observed regularly.