Achaladipeshvarar Temple

Overview

This temple is a God Shiva Temple and is located in Kasi Varanasi. It is believed that Ambica called her son (Mahan) exactly at this place and hence this place is called as Mahanur which was changed to Mohanur afterwards. The temple is at the pinnacle of a hill which is very nearby where Ambica called her son.In this temple Ayush Homas which means for longevity are conducted frequently.Many of the devotees visiting the temple, mainly aged between 60 to 80 do celebrate their birthdays in the temple. God shiva is established in the God Muruga temple facing the west and the Goddess facing towards east the establishment is designed in a way where the God and the goddess face each other.This temple is also linked with many more Shiva temples which are worshipped and praised in the Thevaram hymns that is Vaipputhalam.

About the Temple

In Karthikai month that is November to December Bharani Deppam is lit in the temple, the Karthikai month is considered as significant as those lit in Thiruvannamalai the very next day of the star day called Kruthika star day.Many special pujas and abhisheks are done to God on this day where a holy man who is respected as Beejavaba Maharshi who is a loyal devotee of the God is the one who lights the Bharani deep on the Deepasthamba in the temple. All the other practices are being continued with all the festivity now. Where his sculpture is on one of the pillars in the temple.The temple is very much related to Deepa worship hence there is always a lamp ever burning in the God's shrine. As there is always a lamp burning in the temple the God is praised as Achala Deepeswarar where Achala means not to flicker and be firm as a hill. In this temple God's sculpture is in a meditation posture and also the deepam is motionless. The very famous idol of Mother Madhukara is made up of single stone which includes the frame known as Thriuvatchi and the idol faces towards east and blesses the devotees. It is said that Mother Madhukara was behind God Muruga chasing him to take him back to Mount Kailash. While calling God Muruga, Mother's milk flowed from her breasts and it is also called as madhu know as milk. There are many special pujas held and performed on the day of full moon where people pray on this day seeking a blessing for child.

The shrines of both the God and the Goddess is placed in such a way that they face each other and that is one of the rarest design present in this temple.A small Banalings is also present where God shiva was worshipped by the curd women.Many pujas are performed for both the idols and the nearest Cauvery river flows from North to South as in Kasi Varanasi where the God faces towards the river.On Aadi that is the 18th day falling in July to August there are special pumas performed for Ambica, Between the shrines of God and Mother, God Muruga is established along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai.God Vinayaka sitting with a snake blesses the devotees from a shrine in Prakara. Many of the devotees who are troubled by the adverse effects of serpent planets pray here with a milk abhishek, another Vinayaka is present which is located outside under a neem tree where many women take blessings after marriage and offering mangalsutra.

About The Deity

The main deity is god shiva in this temple.

Legends And Stories

On the walls of the prakara there are many wall sculptures of Mother Varahi, Chamundi and Vaishnavi, many pujas are performed on the 8th day to the new moon and continues for two weeks for the three devis and God Bhairava where God Sarabeswara's shrine is outside the temple also towards the front side of the mandap Mother Shiva Durga is placed on the wall.According to the traditions Mother Durga is established on the ghosta wall of the shrines of God Shiva and also Maishasura is under her feet.On the rear wall Durga has eight hands and is on a lamb vahan which is also one of the rarest features found in the temple.The very popular mango event is pretty famous amongst the devotees where God Muruga left his parents in Mount Kailash and showed his protest against the mango event. God Muruga didn't even listen to the explanations by his parents and Ambica chased her son to take him back home, Ambica was also followed by Shiva. When Ambica asked her son Muruga to stop ,he stood at the place and stopped running just to show respect for the mother's call. God Shiva appeared in front of them as Swayambulinga also as Achala Deepeswarar.

Long back there was only God shiva's shrine found in this temple.Once Kuanarayee, very loyal and committed devotee of God Shiva was selling curd because that was her source of income after she finishes her sales, she offered the remaining curd to God Shiva as nivedhana and she consumed it afterwards.It is said that she was pregnant and she delivered a handsome male child, people in the village had many questions about her celibacy and said very bad things for her but Kmarayee just told that God shiva knows that how much pure she is.Afterwards, once she was bathing in Cauvery river where she merged in the river and then Mother Ambica appeared from the river and awarded darshan to everybody and she informed everyone about her livelihood that she was a curd seller woman. After this incident the shrine of Mother Ambica was established in the temple.As Ambica lived there being Kumarayee and also has a name called God Shiva Kumareeswarar.

Festival

Deepa – Light festival on Bharani star day in Karthikai (November-December), Shivarathri in Vaikasi (May-June), Arundra Darshan in Margazhi (December-January) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Prasad & Offering

Prayers

The belief is that devotees worshipping the Lord after a dip in the Cauvery would relieve him/her from the evil effects of previous births and would ensure longevity. Ayush Homas (for longevity) are often conducted in the temple. Those aged 60 and 80 celebrate their birth days in the temple.

Thanks giving

Devotees perform special abishek to Lord Mother offering vastras.

Near By Temple

Navaladi Karuppuswami
Balasubramaniaswami
Kalyana Prasanna Venkataramanar
Kailasanathar
Mariamman
Arthanareeswarar

Accessibility

Location

Mohanur is 18 km from Namakkal. The temple is 1 km from the bus stop. Auto facilities are available.

Rail

The nearest railhead is at Salem

Air

The nearest International and domestic airport is at Tiruchirapalli.

Address

Sri Achala Deepeswarar Temple,
Mohanur,
Namakkal.