Airavatheswarar temple, Tiruedirkolpadi
Location
Tiru-Edir-Koll-Paadi
Deity
Airavatheswarar
Female Deity
Malar-Kuzhal Madhammai, Sugandha Kundalambikai
Pathikam
Sundarar - 1
Gallery – Airavatheswarar Temple, Tiruedirkolpadi
How to Reach
Tiru-Edirkol-Paadi, also known as Melai Tirumanancheri, is situated very close to Tirumanancheri. Bus facilities are available from Mayiladuthurai to reach the temple. Visitors can also hire a private vehicle from Kuththalam to conveniently cover four nearby temples — Tiruthuruthi, Tiruvelvikudi, Tiruedhirkolpadi, and Tirumanancheri — within half a day. The temple is located approximately 5 km from the Kuththalam bus stand.
Temple Address
Melai Tirumanancheri
Tirumanancheri Post
Kuththalam S.O.
Mayiladuthurai Taluk
Mayiladuthurai District
PIN – 609813
Temple Hours
Morning : 7:00 - 11:00
Evening : 5:00 - 7:00
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Mayiladuthurai – 16.1 kms | |
| 2 | Tiruvelvikudi – 4.6 kms | |
| 3 | Tirumanancheri – 850 m | |
| 4 | Tirukurukkai – 10.9 kms | |
| 5 | Tiruvavaduthurai – 11.1 kms | |
| 6 | Tiruthuruthi – 4.1 kms |
Sthala Purana
The Divine Wedding
According to the Sthala Purana, Bharathwaja Maharishi performed the sacred Puthra Kameshti Yaga seeking the blessing of a child. Pleased with his devotion and the spiritual power of the ritual, Parvathy herself incarnated as the daughter of the sage. As she attained marriageable age, Bharathwaja Maharishi prayed fervently to Shiva to accept her in marriage. Responding to the sage's sincere prayers, Shiva descended to earth to wed Parvathy. When Shiva arrived as the divine bridegroom, Bharathwaja Maharishi welcomed Him with profound devotion and traditional hospitality. Pleased by the sage's reverence, Shiva agreed to remain at this sacred place. Since the sage had received the divine groom at this location, the place came to be known as Edirkolpaadi, meaning “the place where the groom was welcomed.” Accordingly, the presiding deity came to be revered as Tiruedhirkolpadi Udayar — “The Lord who was received as the groom.”
Airavatha & the Curse of Durvasa
According to the Sthala Purana, in later times Airavatha, the majestic white elephant and celestial mount of Indra, came to this sacred place and worshipped the presiding deity. Owing to this act of devotion, the deity came to be revered by the name Airavatheswarar. The origin of this legend is associated with a curse pronounced by the revered sage Durvasa. After performing Shiva Pooja, Durvasa received a sacred garland as prasadam, which he respectfully offered to Indra. Indra placed the garland upon Airavatha's head; however, the elephant carelessly cast it aside and trampled upon it. Deeply displeased by this act of disrespect, Durvasa invoked a powerful curse upon Airavatha. Seeking relief from the curse, Airavatha descended to the earthly realm and journeyed through several sacred sites in search of redemption. Upon reaching Tiruedirkolpaadi, the repentant elephant worshipped Shiva with sincere devotion. It is believed that the sacred water body created by Airavatha during his worship came to be known as Airavatha Theertham.
Special Significance
Mela Tirumanancheri is regarded as an important pilgrimage centre for families seeking suitable marriage alliances for their daughters. The presiding deity, Airavatheswarar, is believed to bestow blessings upon unmarried women and help them attain worthy life partners. Devotees from various places visit the temple and offer prayers with faith in receiving divine guidance in finding a virtuous and compatible groom. The temple is also visited by parents seeking harmony and reconciliation in strained relationships between their daughters and their in-laws after marriage. Thus, Mela Tirumanancheri continues to be revered as a sacred place where devotees seek divine blessings for marriage-related concerns and family well-being at various stages of life.
Temple Layout
Architecture & Deities
The Airavatheswarar Temple features a three-tiered Rajagopuram at its entrance. Upon entering through the gateway, devotees can see Kodimara Vinayaka, Balipeetam, and Nandi aligned in the outer prakaram. The main mandapa leads to the garbhagriha, where the presiding deity, Airavatheswarar, is enshrined in the form of a Shiva Linga installed on a square Avudaiyar.
Sugandha Kundalambikai
The sannidhi of the divine consort, Sugandha Kundalambikai, faces south. The Bharatha Lingam, worshipped by Sage Bharathwaja, is situated in the prakaram. On one of the walls surrounding the sanctum, devotees can also see an image of Goddess Durga seated gracefully upon a lotus pedestal.
Other Sannidhis
The main mandapa houses separate sannidhis for Vinayaka, Subramanya with Valli and Deivanai, and Mahalakshmi. Additional sannidhis in the outer prakaram are dedicated to Gyana Saraswathy, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, another Vinayaka, and Surya.
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