Sri Achala Deepeswarar Temple, Mohanur, Namakkal

Moolavar: Achala Deepeswarar(Kumareeswarar)
Uchavar: Chandrasekhara, Somaskandha
Amman / Thayar: Madukaraveni Ambikai
Thala Virutcha: Vilwa
Theertham: Cauvery
Agamam / Pooja: Kameekam
Old year: 500-1000 years old
Historical Name: Mahanur

Lord Shiva appears facing west and the Goddess facing east. The shrines are designed as such that the Lord and Goddess appear right to each.

Ambica called Her son (Mahan) here. Hence the place was named Mahanur but changed as Mohanur later. Lord Muruga temple, where He stopped to the call of Ambica is on a hill just a little away.

Greatness Of Temple:

The temple is linked with other Shiva temples praised in Thevaram hymns – Vaipputhalam. Bharani deepam lit in this temple in Karthikai month (November-December) is considered as significant as those lit in Thiruvannamalai the next day on Kruthika star day. Special pujas and abisheks are performed to Lord this day. A holy man respected as Beejavaba Maharshi was a staunch devotee of the Lord who used to light the Bharani Deepa on the Deepasthamba in the temple and the practice is being continued with all festivity now. His sculpture is on a pillar in the temple.

As the temple is closely related to Deepa worship, a lamp is ever burning in Lord’s shrine. Hence, The Lord is praised as Achala Deepeswarar. Achalam means that not wavering and firm as a hill. As the Lord is in His meditation posture, the deepa too is motionless.

Mother Madhukara Veni is facing east gracing the devotees. The idol is made of a single stone including the frame called Thiruvatchi. She was chasing Lord Muruga to take Him back to Mount Kailash. Madhu means Milk. As a mother, milk flowed from Her breasts when she called Muruga. Special pujas are performed in the shrine on all full moon days. People pray these days seeking child boon.

In days of yore, there was only the Shiva shrine in the temple. Once Kumarayee, a staunch Lord Shiva devotee was selling curd for her livelihood. After sales, she used to offer the remaining curd to Lord Shiva as nivedhana and consumed it then. She became pregnant and delivered a handsome male child. People in the village suspected her chastity and spoke ill of her. Kumarayee simply told them Lord Shiva knew her purity. While bathing in Cauvery, she merged in the river. Mother Ambica came from the river and granted darshan to all and made it known to all that she was a curd seller woman. The shrine for Ambica was built then.

As Ambica lived here as Kumarayee, she also bears that name and Lord Shiva Kumareeswarar. Lord Shiva is facing west and Ambica east. The shrines are so structured that both are right to each other, a rare design in this temple. There is a small Banalinga near the presiding Lord said to have been worshipped by the curd woman. Pujas are performed simultaneously to both. River Cauvery flows here from north to south as in Kasi-Varanasi. Lord is facing the river. Special pujas are performed to Ambica on the Aadi 18 day falling in July-August. In between the shrines of Lord and Mother is the shrine for Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai.

Lord Vinayaka blesses the devotees from a shrine in Prakara sitting with a serpent. Those afflicted by adverse effects of serpent planets pray here for relief with milk abishek. There is another Vinayaka outside the temple under a neem tree where women seek wedding boon offering Mangalsutra. Mother Varahi, Chamundi and Vaishnavi are in wall sculptures on the prakara wall. Pujas are performed on the 8 day of new moon fortnight for the three Davis and Lord Bhairava. Lord Sarabeswara shrine is outside the temple.

Mother Shiva Durga is on the wall in the front mandap.As a tradition, Mother Durga is on the ghoshta wall of Shiva shrine with Maishasura under Her feet. Here, Duirga is with eight hands on the rear wall on a lamb vahan. This is also a rare feature found in this temple.

Temple History:

That Lord Muruga left His parents in showing His protest against the Mango event is popular among devotees. He did not listen to the explanations of the parents. Ambica chased the son to take Him back home. Shiva too followed Ambica. When Ambica asked Muruga to stop, He stood in this place respecting Mother’s call. Lord Shiva appeared as Swayambulinga as Achala Deepeswarar.