Athmanathaswamy Temple

Getting there

• By road

  The village lies about 14 km south east of Aranthangi on State Highway 26, on the south bank of the Vellar River. The district tourism page gives the distance from Pudukkottai as 60 km.

Why devotees come here

The Athmanathaswamy Temple stands in Avudaiyarkoil village, near Aranthangi in Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped here as Athmanathar, the formless soul. The sanctum holds a pedestal in place of a lingam, and that is what sets the temple apart.

Manikkavasagar's Tiruvasakam, a sacred book of the Tamil Saiva Siddhanta tradition, is linked to this shrine. Legend says Manikkavasagar was given money by King Varaguna Pandya II to buy good horses. Instead he spent it on building this temple. Another legend says Shiva turned jackals into horses, and the horses became jackals again once they reached the king.

The temple is said to have been built in the 10th century to honour Shiva. Many renovations followed, and much of the current structure dates to the 15th century. It covers over 10 acres with three enclosures and faces south. It is known for carvings of the 27 Nakshatras, the lunar stations.

The sanctum holds no Shivalingam, only a pedestal called Avudayar, which gives the village its name. There is no Nandi bull statue, as is usual in almost all Shiva temples. The district tourism page notes life-size sculptures at the temple.

Festivals

• Aani month, mid June to mid JulyTirumanjanam

  One of the annual festivals held at the temple. It lasts ten days.

• Margazhi month, mid December to mid JanuaryThiruvadirai

  One of the annual festivals held at the temple. It lasts ten days.

Tips for your visit

• Look for the carvings of the 27 Nakshatras, the lunar stations, which the temple is known for.
• Allow time to walk the three enclosures, which together cover over 10 acres.

Questions people ask