Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu

Temple Significance & History

Location & Unique Features

Thiruvarur Araneri, a Paadal Petra Sthalam, is located within the Thiruvarur Temple complex, in the south-eastern corner of the second prakara, facing west. This sannidhi is also known as Achaleswaram. Worship during Shivaratri is considered especially significant here. The presiding deity is a west-facing swayambhu (self-manifested) form of Shiva, worshipped by the names Araneriappar and Achaleswarar. A unique feature of the Achaleswarar Temple is that the shadow of the tower above the sanctum is said to fall only towards the east and not in any of the other directions. It is also traditionally believed that the shadow is not visible to a person who is destined to die within six months. The temple is built in an architectural style reminiscent of the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur. Inscriptions at the temple record that Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi had the Araneriappar Temple constructed in stone and mention her endowment of 234 kasu towards the daily worship and the maintenance and repair of the temple.

How the Deity Came to be Known as Achalesar

According to tradition, the deity came to be known as Achalesar because Shiva remained steadfastly established here at the request of a king. The sannidhi of Achaleswarar, including the sanctum, artha mandapa, flagstaff, balipitam, and Nandi mandapa outside the sanctum, is regarded as the Araneri Paadal Petra Sthalam within the Tiruvarur temple complex.

The Legend of Naminandi Adigal

Tiruvarur is closely associated with Naminandi Adigal, one of the 63 Nayanmars. According to the traditional account associated with this temple, he regarded everyone born in Tiruvarur as an embodiment of Shiva. One evening, when he came to the Araneriappar Temple for worship, the ghee in the temple lamps was running out and the flames began to dim. As it was getting late, he approached a nearby house to request some ghee. At that time, the area around the temple was home to people of different religious traditions, including Jains. According to the traditional account, the occupants of the house responded that if he wished to light the lamps, he could use water from the temple tank instead of ghee. Deeply devoted to Shiva, Naminandi Adigal returned to the temple and prayed for guidance. Shiva is said to have appeared through a divine voice and instructed him to light the lamps with water from the temple tank. Following this divine instruction, Naminandi Adigal brought water from the tank known as Sangu Theertham, poured it into a lamp, and lit it. The lamp is said to have burned with a bright flame, and he then used the water to light the other lamps in the temple as well. The tradition holds that, through Shiva's grace, the lamps continued to burn brightly with water. This remarkable episode is remembered as a testament to Naminandi Adigal's deep devotion and unwavering faith. Thirunavukkarasar also refers to the sacred incident of Naminandi Adigal lighting the temple lamps with water in his Tevaram hymns.