The temple of Airavateshwara, situated on the north bank of the Cauvery River, is a revered 'Bhaskara Kshetra' and the temple derives its name 'Innambar' from the celestial worship of the sun god, who is said to have regained his lost energy by venerating the presiding deity of this place. During the auspicious days of the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the tamil month Panguni , the sunlight illuminates the Shivalinga in the morning, a phenomenon celebrated as Surya Puja.
According to legend, Airavatham, the majestic white elephant serving as the vehicle of Devendra, bathed in the temple's pond and worshipped AksharaPureeswarar, thereby attaining liberation from a curse. Consequently, the theertham (sacred water) of this temple is known as Airavatham, and the presiding deity is reverentially addressed as Airavateshwara.
The temple's sanctity is further enhanced by the worship of celestial beings such as the Sun, the Moon, and the sage Agastya, who is believed to have learned the intricacies of Tamil grammar from God Shiva himself. Jackfruit and Shenbhaka trees are considered the sacred flora of this divine locale.
The Sthala Purana, narrates an incident involving Sudhasman, an Adhi-Saiva who diligently served as an accountant for the local king during the temple's construction. When the king expressed doubts about the accounts, Sudhasman fervently prayed to God Shiva, who manifested in Sudhasman's form to clarify the accounts, thus earning the appellation of the Scribe 'Akshara pureeswarar'. To this day, devotees bring their young children to the temple before commencing their formal education, spreading paddy and symbolically initiating the learning process. Worshipping at this temple is believed to bestow students with academic excellence and divine blessings in their educational pursuits.
The temple, boasts an impressive 5-tiered Rajagopuram that majestically faces eastward. Upon entering through the ornate gopuram gate, visitors find themselves in a spacious eastern outer courtyard. Here, the revered idol of Vinayaka first catches the eye, followed by the Nandi Mandapam positioned directly behind it. Interestingly, this temple lacks the traditional flagpole often seen in other temples. Within the eastern outer courtyard, on the right side lies the sannidhi of the principal female deity; Ambal Suganda Kundalambikai, oriented towards south. There is another Sannidhi, for Goddess Nithya Kalyanai also reverred as Soundara Nayaki. Proceeding through the second entrance situated behind the Nandi Mandapam, devotees are greeted by the awe-inspiring presence of Akshara Pureeswarar, the presiding deity of the temple. The Shiva linga of Akshara Pureeswarar is truly a sight to behold, with its large, long, and tall 'bana' emanating an air of majestic grandeur. The vimana of the main sanctum is architecturally designed in the 'Gajaprashta' style, adding to its visual splendor. The temple walls are adorned with Goshta murthas depicting Dakshinamoorthy, Kaatchi-Kodutha Nathar, Brahma, and Goddess Durga. A separate sannidhi dedicated to Balasubramania can also be found within the complex. Additionally, a captivating stone statue of Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, graces the fort, while the exquisite Bhairava statue stands as a must-see attraction for all visitors.
Impressive Gopuram
Outer corridor - East
Nandhi Mandap
A View
Sannidhi of Balsubramania
Natarajar
Kaatchi Kodutha Nathar - Goshta Murtha
Brahma
Bhairavar