Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu

Sthala Puranam

A Bhaskara Kshetra

The temple of Airavateshwara, situated on the north bank of the Cauvery River, is a revered Bhaskara Kshetra. The temple derives its name ‘Innambar’ from the celestial worship of the sun god, who is said to have regained his lost energy by venerating the presiding deity of this place. During the auspicious days of the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Tamil month Panguni, the sunlight illuminates the Shivalinga in the morning — a phenomenon celebrated as Surya Puja.

The Sacred Elephant Airavata

According to legend, Airavatham, the majestic white elephant serving as the vehicle of Devendra, bathed in the temple’s pond and worshipped AksharaPureeswarar, thereby attaining liberation from a curse. Consequently, the theertham (sacred water) of this temple is known as Airavatham, and the presiding deity is reverentially addressed as Airavateshwara.

Sacred Flora & Celestial Worship

The temple’s sanctity is further enhanced by the worship of the deity by the celestial beings such as the Sun, the Moon, and the sage Agastya, who is believed to have learned the intricacies of Tamil grammar from God Shiva himself. Jackfruit and Shenbhaka trees are considered the sacred flora of this divine locale.

Origin of the Name Akshara Pureeswarar

The Sthala Purana narrates an incident involving Sudhasman, an Adhi-Saiva who diligently served as an accountant for the local king during the temple’s construction. When the king expressed doubts about the accounts, Sudhasman fervently prayed to God Shiva, who manifested in Sudhasman’s form to clarify the accounts, thus earning the appellation of the Scribe ‘Akshara Pureeswarar’. To this day, devotees bring their young children to the temple before commencing their formal education, spreading paddy and symbolically initiating the learning process. Worshipping at this temple is believed to bestow students with academic excellence and divine blessings in their educational pursuits.