46. AATHUR

SWARNAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 16kms from Mayiladuthurai and 16kms from Vaitheeswaran Koyil

Shiva: Swarnapureeswarar

Amman: Abayambigai and Kayarkanni

Theertham: Manduga Theertham

Speciality:

The poet Thirunavukkarasar has referred about this temple in Kshethra Kovai. Arthur is referred to as Vakkarai Mandharam by the poet. 

The other names for Aathur are Nadhipuram, Nadanapuram Swarna Yana Nirodhanapuram and Mandhara Vanam.

River Kollidam flows to the south and Kaveri to the north.

This temple is on the Banks of Manniyaru. Manniyaru was earlier known as Subramanya Aaru as it was created by lord Muruga. 

The Chola Kings who ruled in the 11th and 12th century had kept this place and the temple very flourished and fertile. 

There are inscriptions about this in the temple.

This temple is special in Murthy, Sthala and Theertham. 

The Sthala Puranam of Athur was written by Thiri Sira Pura Maha Vidhvan Meenakshi Sundharam Pillai. 

There are 2 Ambaals in this temple Abayambigai and Kayarkanni.

The Ashta Puja Durga of this temple has flower in one hand and a parrot in other. This is a very strange form of Durgai..

The Swarna Bhairavar Sannidhi of this temple is worshipped to get relieved form all form of Drishti.

This temple of great importance and uniqueness is lesser known to people.

History:

Once upon a time a frog lived in the pond in the temple. During heavy rainfall a hungry snake swallowed the frog which was in the corner of the pond. The frog which was in the snake's stomach asked the Lord that was this the gift for staying in the pond for years and praying the lord. Ambaal immediately preached the Panchakshara Mantra to the frog which helped the frog to come out of the hold of the snake. So, people who have a dip in the pond get rid of Manduga Dhosha, Rahu Dhosha and Kala Sarpa Dhosha. Till date no body in the village die of snake bite. 

Once the Devas and the Devotees and even animals wanted to view the dance of Nataraja and attain happiness. Nataraja accepted their wish and danced here. Therefore this place was called Nadanapuram.

A poor Brahmin couple lived in this village. They had a daughter. They were ardent devotees of Shiva. When the girl attained the age of marriage the couple had no money and so they appealed to the Lord. The Lord married the girl on a Friday. So people who have problems in getting married come to this temple and perform certain rituals in Friday to get rid of the Hindrances.

Lord Muruga, after the Surasamhara, worshipped many Shiva temples to get rid of the Dhosha. He came to Aathur and he wanted to bath and therefore he created a river with his Velayudham (weapon). The weapon became a river which was called Subramanya River (now Manniyaru). 

Mahavishnu worshipped this Shiva and wanted to stay in this temple. Shiva said that he could stay with comfort here. We find a Suhasina Narayana Perumal Sannidhi in the northwest corner of the temple.

A Sage who lived here did not have Children. He worshipped the Shiva here and he was bestowed with a male child. He name did Nandhi. This Nandhi performed Pooja to Shiva and attained Immense knowledge. A sone carving depicting this incident is seen.