Avinashi

The word Avinashi means that which is indestructible. It is a small town situated near Tirupur and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. The town is famous for the Shiva temple constructed by Sundarapandiya is closely associated with the great Saiva saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar.

History

This is one of the seven Shivastalams in Kongu Nadu; however this temple is better known as Karunaiyaaththaal temple. Avinashi is also referred to in inscriptions as Dakshina Varanasi, Tiruppukkozhiyur etc. Tirumular's Tirumantiram, Arunagirinathar's Tiruppugazh & Manikkavacakar's Tiruvacakam refer to this shrine. This temple is regarded as the first of the seven Tevara Stalams in the Kongu Region of Tamil Nadu.

Inscriptions here reveal that the Cholas, Pandyas and the Hoysalas have made extensive endowments to the temples

Sundaramoorthy Nayanar on his way to meet Cheramaan Peruman, nayanar happened to visit Avinashi. As he was passing through one of the streets, he heard two discordant notes coming from opposite houses, one echoing joy and another sorrow. The puzzled saint understood the cause for the strange phenomenon.

Two boys of the same age went to bathe in a tank from which emerged a crocodile and devoured one of them. There was being celebrated the "Upanayanam" (Thread ceremony) of the surviving boy, now 8 years old. Hence there was joy and mirth in the house. While the other people were unable to bear their sorrow.

Had their boy been alive, they too would be celebrating his "Upanayanam". Intensely moved by this, Sundaramoorthy Nayanar poured out of soulful song, praying to Lord shiva to resurrect the dead child. His prayer was answered .The empty tank started surging with water from which emerged the crocodile and ejected the child as a fully grown boy of eight years

Architecture

Ambal's sanctum is to the right of Avinasiappar's sanctum, unlike that in most temples. The Kasi Gangai Theertham—in the form of a well is considered to be of significance. The Kaalabhairavar shrine in this temple is held in reverence. Kaala Bhairavar is worshipped here with offerings of Vadai Maalai.

This temple with two prakarams is adorned with the Navaranga Mandapam in the inner prakaram. The mandapam in front of Ambal's sanctum has interesting sculptural work. The large nandi here, and the carved image of a scorpion in the Ambal sanctum are of significance here. Several other carvings here deserve attention. Avinashiappar temple is a protected monument under the Archeological survey of India.

The temple car festival

The car festival is the most exciting of the festivals in this temple. This temple's car is second biggest in Southindia and is noted for its fine wooden carvings. Since the old car was destroyed by fire in 90's, it has been rebuilt. The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai. Apart from Temple car festival, 63r (Arubathi moovar Ula) is one of the notable festival in this temple. The festival chariot here is said to be on par with Tiruvarur.first it was happen to be 10 days festival..now it becomes 1 day festival ...