Achirupakkam

Madurantakam Paadal Petra Sthalams

God

Emaiyatcheegar, (also Aatcheeswarar, Bargapureeswarar, Aatchikondanadar, Emaiyatcheeswarar) facing east. Second deity – Umaiyatcheegar (also Umaiyatcheeswarar)

Goddess

Sundaranayagi (also Balambigai, Ilankiliammai), facing south. Second deity – Melliyalal

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Paravayar, Sundarar, Sangiliyar, 63 Nayanmars, Naalvar, Sreenivasa Perumal, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Sapthamadar, Ayyappan, Pazhaniandavar, Arumuga with consorts, Nataraja, Bhairava, Surya, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Achirupakkam is a large east facing temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and temple tank in front of the temple. There are two god and goddess shrines here. The outer and inner has several deities all around including beautiful carvings of Narasimha Avatar, Vinayaka, Subramanya, Jambukeswara, Pasupatheeswara, Snake worshiping Lingam, Karaikal Ammayar, Kannappar and more. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum has several inscriptions on stone. The main lingam of Aatcheeswarar is a swayambu and has a low and broad base with a rough uper portion. The place where one stands to worship has a covered well below. A cut out depression is said to be behind the main deity. The 63 Nayanmars are also present as processional deities. During the Chithirai festival the processional deity of the lord visits the Agastheeswarar Temple at Perumberkandigai to give darshan to Sage Agastya.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Sangutheertham, Banutheertham, Devatheertham, Simhatheertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Sarakondrai (Indian Laburnum)

History

Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE) has rendered Thevaram hymns for the lord here at Achirupakkam.

Mythology

An Achu (axle) that broke has given the name of this place. The reason for this attributed to three different versions. One is that the Lord’s chariot axle broke after he left without thinking of Vinayaka. Another is that in order to humble the devas who considered themselves as pillars for the lord he made the axle break. Yet another story is that the axles of the vehicles used to transport sand from River Ganga, to build this temple, broke and hence the name. The reason for the two deities is attributed to a Pandya King who saw a golden form running and hiding inside the Laburnum tree here. Upon attempting to cut down the tree he encountered flowing blood and discovered the Shiva Lingam with the cut mark of the sword. He then gave gold to sage Nethradari and asked him to build the temple. The sage in turn built the two shrines one each for the lord who possessed him (Emai Atcheeswarar) and for the one who possessed the King (Umai Atcheeswarar).

Directions

Achirupakkam – Acharapakkam is about 95 kms from Chennai in the Thiruchirapalli highway and after Melmaruvathur.

Stay and Food

Excellent food is available at Ganesh Bhavan in the service lane (just before you take a left to reach the temple) of the National Highway at Acharapakkam.

Paadal Petra Sthalams

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples