Thiruappanur Sri Thiru Aappudayar Temple, Madurai

Address

ThiruappanurSri Thiru Aappudayar Temple, Madurai District- 625 002, Phone Numbers: +91 452 253 0173, 94436 76174.

Diety

Appudayar, Idapuresar (Vrusharesar) Anna Vinodhan, Appanur Natha, Amman: Sugantha Kundalambikai

Introduction

Thiru Aappanoor is a smaller temple lying in the shadow of the Meenakshi Amman Temple in the holy city of Madurai, India. The Pandya Kings and the Royal Sethupathi kings made many contributions to this temple. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Thala Virutcham : Kondrai Theertham : Vaigai, Vrushaba Theertha

Puranic Significance

One day a wedge, or ‘aappu’, is said to have miraculously transformed into a shivalingam to allow the Pandya King Solandhagan to cross the flooded Vaigai River to reach the Meenakshi Amman Temple, and it is from this event that the Thiru Aappanoor temple takes its name. On another occasion, Shiva is also believed to have miraculously caused the sand of the river here to turn into rice during a famine. The Pandya kings were the first to begin building the temple, which was further expanded by the Nayak kings. The shrine of the presiding deity, Lord Shiva faces east. A shrine to Subrahmanyar is situated between the shrines of Shiva and Ambal. Thus, the temple is said to be of the Somaskanda type. The Lord Hanuman is found on a pillar, and there is a fig tree (Ficus religiosa) in between the two shrines, with a vinayagar statue beneath it. This tree is considered to be a Shtala Virutcham or temple tree. Sambandar composed the Tevaram Pathigam on Thiru Aappanoor.

Beliefs

Those facing Mars planet adverse aspects (Sevvai dosham) pray to Lord Muruga and those aspiring prosperity pray to Lord Shiva performing archana with vilwa leaves.Realizing their wishes devotees perform abishek and archanas with Vilwa leaves to Lord and offer vastras.

Special Features

Lord Aappudayar and Mother Sugantha Kundalambika grace the devotees from this temple. The Shivalinga is small in size and big in name and fame. It is noteworthy that Lord Swaymabu Linga Appudayar is as distinct as Meru among the mounts, Kamadenu among the cows, Moon among the stars, shining brightly as Sun, charitable as rain clouds and a Lord Vishnu among the males. He equals everything that is great. The very prayer to Him means praying to all Gods according to scriptures. Of the Pancha Bhoodha Sthalas in Madurai, this temple belongs to Appu-water category. Punyasenam in the lineage of Lord Brahmma was a staunch Shiva devotee. As advised by Sage Agasthya, he performed severe penance on Lord Shiva to become as wealthy as Kubera. Pleased with his penance, Lord Aappudayar with Mother Sugantha Kundalambika granted darshan and the boon he sought. But as fate had it, he became immediately arrogant and cast a mischievous look on Mother and lost his eyes and fell dead. Merciful Lord Aappudayar gave back his life and called him Kubera. Since then, he became the Lord of North with two wealth – Sanga Nidhi and Padhma Nidhi.

Festivals

Bhrammotsavam is celebrated at Thiru Aappanoor for the Tamil month of Maasi. Navaratri is also celebrated at the temple. On the day of Panguni Uththiram, images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are brought to Thiru Aappanoor from the Meenakshi Amman temple across the river, and return on Rishabha Vaahanam. The festival idols at the temple are made of silver, and are taken in procession during the bimonthly Pradosham festival.