Abhirameswarar, Tiruvamathur, Viluppuram

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Abhirameswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Kuktambikai, Azhagiya Nayaki, Muthambigai
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tiruaamaththur
Vriksham:	Vanni	Teertham:	Aambala Poigai, Danda Teertham
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	7.30 to 12 & 5 to 8.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Nadu Nadu)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tiruvamathur	District:	Viluppuram
Maps from (click):	Current location	Viluppuram (6 km)	Cuddalore (50 km)
	Tiruvannamalai (66 km)	Mayiladuthurai (122 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

In Hinduism, the cow is revered because it is considered that all the Gods and celestial deities reside in the body of cows. However, at some time in the past, cows did not have horns for their defence, and could not withstand attacks by other animals. As a result, a representative group of cows came and worshipped Siva and Parvati here for some sort of relief. Siva blessed them that thenceforth, they would all have horns. In Tamil, Aa refers to the cow, and so the place (which was earlier called Mathai or Mathur) came to be called Tiru-Aa-Mathur.

The temple’s sthala puranam also connects to the Ramayanam. It is said that Rama and Sugreeva discussed and reached an understanding about fighting Ravana, here. There is a circular stone (vatta-parai in Tamil) with a carving of a Lingam on it, which they are believed to have sat on, during those discussions!

After slaying Ravana, Rama is said to have come here (as also other temples) to expunge himself of the Brahmahathi dosham that he had incurred. There is a shrine for Rama in the outer prakaram of the temple.

This is also regarded as one of the places where Murugan received his spear (Vel) from Parvati, prior to his encounter with Soorapadman. It is said that Vinayakar here solved some problem concerning Vishnu, and so he is named Mal Thuyar Teertha Vinayakar.

This is one of the few Paadal Petra Sthalams where all three of the moovar – ie Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar – have sung. Sundarar visited and sung at this temple, after regaining sight in one eye at Kanchipuram, when on his way to Tiruvarur. Arunagirinathar has sung on Murugan at this temple, in his Tiruppugazh.

The temple is originally from the Pallava times. However, according to the inscriptions here, the temple was significantly renovated by Kopparakesari. This could be a reference to Aditya Karikalan (elder brother of Raja Raja Chola), one of whose names was Virapandiyan Thalai Konda Kopparakesari Varman Karikalan, who ruled out of Kanchipuram.

Technically there are two separate temples within one complex, with Parvati having a separate temple (not just a shrine) of Her own, replete with its own gopuram and shrines for parivara deities. Siva here is a swayambhu murti, while the murti of Parvati in Her separate temple is said to have been installed by Adi Sankara. Amman’s murti is depicted standing, with the tail of a snake resting on Her body.

Siva faces east, while Parvati faces west – for this reason, this place is regarded as a Upadesa-sthalam, with Siva acting as guru to Parvati (the same is the case with many other temples as well, particularly the Jambukeswarar temple at Tiruvanaikkaa near Trichy, though in that case, the directions they face are reversed). There is also a hole in the walls of both temples, to enable Siva and Parvati to look at each other! It is also believed that Sage Bringhi is present here in the form of the Vanni tree, the sthala vriksham of this temple.

One of the interesting inscriptions in the temple refers to the Chola king of the time providing an endowment for blind people to learn and sing the Tevaram. Other inscriptions here refer to Chola kings including Parantaka Chola, Raja Raja Chola and Kulothunga Chola I.