Distance: 70kms from Salem and 102 kms from Coimbatore
Shiva: Aarudhra Kapaleeswarar or Thondeeswarar or Chozheeswarar or Chedeeswarar
Amman: Varanaiyamman
Sthala Viruksham: Vanni
Speciality:
The Historical name of the Portion in Erode where Aarudhra Kapaleeswarar temple is situated is Thiruthondeeswaram.
The other names of Shiva are Thondeeswarar, Chozheeswarar and Chedeeswarar.
The other names of Shiva referred in Tamil Literature are Thondeeswaramudhaiya Mahadevar, Thondeeswaramudaiya Thambiranar, Thondeeswaramudaiya Pidarar and Thondargal Nayanar. These names are referred in the inscriptions in the temple.
The first Archanai in tamil started here.
The Gopuram is an example of Architectural beauty.
The Sun's rays fall on Shiva in the Month of Maasi.
Surya is seen with his consorts.
There are Sannidhis of Pollapillayar and 63 Nayanmars in sitting Position here.
The Kanni Vinayaka is to the Southwest and Sthala Viruksham is to the west of the temple.
Sage Dhuruvasa installed the Lord Shiva as Pallikondeeswarar here.
Kongu Cholas had the name Karikala in the 11th and 12th centuries. One such Karikala had built this temple in that period. He built 36 Shiva temples with the help of a person called Samaya Mudhali on the banks of the river Cauvery.
Aarudhra Kapaleeswarar is an Ashtothra Linga. This is a rare feature.
Aarudhra means the Angry dance and Kabalam means skull. The place Erode was referred as Aarudhra Kabalapuri.
History:
This temple was built by king Lakshmi Kandhan. He performed Yaaga. The milk pots which were brought for the Yaaga fell upside down on the ground. They found to floor unbalanced. The King asked his men to dig the ground. Blood started oozing out as the crowbars hit the ground. There was a Shiva Linga and he immediately built a temple for Lord Shiva here.
A poor weaver named Thandavan worshipped this temple before daily work. One day when he set to his work, Lord Shiva went to his house. His wife was alone in the house. The Lord told her that he was suffering for severe cold and he required a cloth to cover him. The lady said that her husband was away and that she had only one piece of cloth. She said that she would send him a piece of cloth through her husband when he comes back. She asked him his address. He said that he would be outside the Aarudhra Kapaleeswarar temple. Thandavan returned from his duty. His wife told him about the incident. He rushed to his boss for a cloth and promised to pay the cost of the cloth in installments. The boss gave the cloth and he went to the temple and gave it to the man (Lord) outside the temple. In the Morning when the priest opened the door he saw a new cloth on Lord Shiva. The Parivattam was absent. He informed all around and this news spread like fire. All the people of the village gathered. Even Thandavan's boss came to the temple. He found that it was the cloth he gave to Thandavan. Thandavan narrated what happened. But none believed him. They tied him to a pillar to beat him. Suddenly they heard an echo saying that it was the game of the Lord to prove that in spite of being poor he did not hesitate to help a poor devotee and his devotion to the Lord was thereby known to people. Everybody felt ashamed.
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