Arimalam Meenakshi Sundaresvarar Temple, Pudukkottai

Address

Arimalam, Pudukkottai district

Tamil Nadu – 622201.

Phone: +91 96294 57337

Moolavar

Sundaresvarar

Amman

Meenakshi

Introduction

Meenakshi Sundaresvarar Temple is dedicated to deity Shiva located at Arimalam of Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity of the temple is known as Sundaresvarar and the goddess is known as Meenakshi. From 19 to 21 March the rays of Sun fell on the presiding deity.

Puranic Significance

This temple is located at Arimalam in Pudukkottai district. Ari means Chandra and mala means child. Due to a curse, the size of Chandra started reducing. After losing everything when Chandra came to this place, which was found with much umber of vilva trees, the deity of this place took and put the Chandra on his head. Then he got rid of the curse. Later he requested the deity that this place be called as Arimalam and so this place got the name.

Vidyavathi is the daughter of a Gandharva named Vishwavasu. Staunch devotee of Mother Shymaladevi Goddess of Wisdom with the divinity of Mother Meenakshi, Vidyavathi worshipped. Her as her own daughter. Pleased with her Bhakti, Mother Shymala granted darshan and asked what she wished. Vidyavathi desired to have her as his daughter. Mother Shymala said that she will have her wish realized in her next birth. Vidyavathi was then born to king Surasena and married Malayadwaja Pandya the king of Madurai. The king conducted a yajna seeking child boon. Mother Meenakshi appeared from the yagna fire as a little girl. Observing her wisdom, Malayadwaja Pandya entrusted the kingdom to her care. As a fish feeding its offspring with a very look of the eye, she became to be praised as Meenakshi – Meen means fish, Akshilook. During Her Digviya, She met Lord Shiva in Kaiash. Lord Shiva came to Madurai to wed her and as requested by Meenakshi, He also took charge of the rule of Madurai. Devotees in the Pudukkottai prayed to Lord Shiva and Mother Meenakshi that they should bless them with their presence in their place too. About 1000 years ago they built a small temple which grew big as it is today. The Kumbhabhishekham of the temple was held during December 2018. Later special abhisek was held to the presiding deity and the goddess.

Beliefs

Parents concerned about their children facing adverse planetary aspects, offer them to Lord in adoption and take back. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother, offer Deepa Arathi. They also offer new vastras.