AVINASHI

Avinashi is situated 40 km from Coimbatore and about 14 km from Tirupur. The nearest railway station is at Tirupur. The word Avinashi means that which is indestructible. It is said that Avinashi is half Kaashi (Varanasi). What one would get from the Kaashi pilgrimage is open to the devotee in Avinashi too. The scriptural name of the place is Thirupukkoliyur.

Karunaiyaaththaal (Avinasiappar) temple

This is a famous Shiva temple constructed by Sundarapandiyan is closely associated with the great Shaiva Saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar. The temple is a protected monument under the Archeological survey of India.
Legend – It is believed that the Shiva lingam in Avinashi appeared from the Shiva lingam at Kashi. A small portion is said to have got separated from the Kashi Vishwanathar lingam, came here rolling and grew into the present Shiva lingam. Therefore, Avinashi is also referred to as the Kashi of Kongu nadu.
Goddess Parvathi has performed penance for 1000 years and Lord Brahmma 100 years here. Thadaga, the dancer of the Indraloka got relieved of her curse by worshipping the Lord. Brahma is said to have worshipped the Shiva here for 3 years. The elephant of Indra, Iravadham is said to have worshipped at this shivasthalam for 12 years. Nagakannika also worshipped Shiva here for 21 months. Lord Muruga in the temples is praised by saint Arunagiriar in his Thirupugazh.
History - This is one of the seven Shivastalams in Kongu Nadu, 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.
Inscriptions here reveal that the Cholas, Pandyas and the Hoysalas have made extensive endowments to the temples.
Story - When Sundaramoorthy Nayanar was on his way to meet Cheramaan Peruman at Tiruvanchikulam, he 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 enquired about the cause for the strange phenomenon. He came to know that two boys of the same age had gone 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 a soulful song (Patikam), praying to Lord shiva to resurrect the dead child. His prayer was answered. The empty tank, Tamaraikkulam, started surging with water from which emerged the crocodile and ejected the child as a fully grown boy of eight years, with a three years growth due to him. Sundarar brought back the boy to the parents and conducted the Upanayanam – the holy thread ceremony. There is an image of a panel in the temple illustrating this incident constructed by the king Sundara Pandian.
Temple - The Shiva temple at Avinasi is spread over an area of 1.5 acres. The main rajagopuram is on the east side with 7 tiers. Inside there are two corridors (prakarams). The base of the stone Dwajasthambam outside carries sculptures of the legend associated with this temple – the crocodile regurgitating a fully grown boy & Sundarar praying to Siva. At the main entrance, the sculptures of Narthana Ganapathy can be found on both the sides. Entry into the temple is through the huge doors of the Rajagopuram. Just before entry is the Selva Pillayar on your left & an Uchi pillayar etched in the Rajagopuram just above the doors. From the inside, we can see the figures of Sundarar, Manikkavachakar, Dancers, maidens, Bhootha ganams etc in the Rajagopuram. Once we enter , there is a Navaranga mandapam in the inner prakaram and the sculptures of Veerabhadirar, Oorthava Thandavar, Alangattu Kaali can be seen on the pillars of the mandapam. Each one is about 6 feet high.
This temple has 2 prakarams. There is a second Dwajasthambam inside the prakaram.
On entering the inner sanctum, we pray to the Swayambhu lingam of the Moolavar – Avinashilingeswarar (also known as Avinashi Eswarar, Avinasiappar or Kediliyappar) who is east facing. To the North on a raised manadapam is the Kanakasabhai with Natarajar in dancing pose with his feet firmly crushing Muyalavan.
The pathways on the four sides of the sanctum sancotrum are decorated with the images of the 63 Nayanmars, Murugan Sannadhi in the northwest and Karaikkal Ammaiyar Sannadhi on the northeast.
The Ambal, Lord’s consort is known Karunambikai. The 3 feet tall Ambal's sanctum, also east facing, is to the right of Avinasiappar's sanctum on the southern side, unlike that in most temples. There is a separate gopuram for Ambal sannithi. Ambal is seen in a standing posture.
The mandapam in front of Ambal's sanctum has interesting sculptural work, of which the images of Kuravan and Kurathy are most attractive. The carved image of a scorpion at the back of the Ambal sanctum is of significance here. Several other carvings here deserve attention.
There is a theppakulam outside (opposite Ambal sannithi) with a large Nandi mounted at the entrance.
The Kaalabhairavar shrine in this temple is held in reverence. This shrine is within the temple here while in other places, it is outside the main prakara of the temple. Kalabhairavar is seen riding his vehicle dog.
The pond Tamaraikkulam is about 0.5 kms towards south-west of the temple. There is a shrine to Sundarar on the shore of the Tamaraikkulam.
The Theertham here is a well, called Kasi Gangai Theertham and is considered to be of significance. The other thirtham is the Airavata Theertham.
Sthala vriksham is Paatiri.
Prayers & Festivals - The car festival is the most exciting of the festivals in this temple. This temple’s car is second biggest in South india and is noted for its fine wooden carvings. Previously it was a 10 day festival, but now it is celebrated in 1 day. It is believed that Lord Brahma gets the car festival started. This conincides with the 12 day annual Bhrammotsavam celebrated in the month of Chittirai.
Arubathi moovar Ula (63 persons procession) is another of the notable festival in this temple.
'Mudalai Vaai Pillai' Utsavam during Panguni Uththiram commemorate the rescue event done by sundarar.
Commemorating the 1000 years penance of the goddess, the Adi Thapasu is also very important in the line of festivals of the temple.
New moon, full moon days, the Pradosha, Tamil and English new year day and Pongal are celebrated with special pujas to God and Goddess attracting huge crowd.
Kaala Bhairavar is worshipped here with offerings of Vadai Maalai. It is believed that this prayer ensures success in litigations and relief from false allegations. This worship to Kalabhairava is undertaken during new moon, full moon days, Ashtami.
Worshipping the scorpion symbol sculpted behind Goddess Karunambikai, it is believed, promises relief from the fear of poisonous bites, bad dreams ensuring a peaceful sleep, believe the devotees.
The Padhiri tree, the holy tree of the Avinashiappar temple blossoms only during the Brammotsavam festival. It won’t during other seasons. It is said that the tree’s devotion to the deity is expressed this way.
Those aspiring for a child come here for the boon. The devotees come here for release from the evils of snake effects. Devotees offer Dhoti and Sari to the God and Goddess. Abishek is performed in oil, milk and tender coconut. Some devotees undertake some fasting here, offer charities, perform penance, do dhyan etc., as these undertaking is believed to yield manifold rewards, if performed here. Usual rituals are also done. Feeding the visitors and offer the nivedhana to the deity are also followed.
Poems on this temple - The Nayanmars thevaram Pathigam is composed by Sundarar Sundaramoorthy Nayanar. Tirumalar’s Tirumantiram, Arunagirinathar’s Tiruppugazh & Manikkavacakar's Tiruvacakam refer to this shrine.