Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple (more than 2000 years old)

Mother Parvathi came to earth, and chose this place to perform penance. The Devas – belonging to the celestial world- also came here in the form of plants and trees to worship the Goddess. The place was a jungle then. Pleased with Her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before the Goddess with His Jadamudi – long hair rolled as a crown on the head. He therefore also bears the name Kavardesswarar. Patti, the calf of the divine cow Kamadenu was wise enough to know the glory of the place, made a Linga, performed abishek with its milk and prayed to Lord Shiva to stay in this place. As the Lord was worshipped by a Pasu (cow) He was named Pasupatheeswarar.

Divine cow Kamadenu visited the shrine to get relief from the curse of Sage Vasishta. Cow is known as GO in Sanskrit. As the cow came to this place, this is also known as Govandhakudi (palace where the GO came). The abishek performed by Kamadenu is depicted in the flag post of the temple.

Manikudam and Aswathavanam are the other names of the place. Of the two stones brought by Vayudeva in a competition with Adisesha, one is here while the other is at Nallur, according to scriptures.

The presiding deity is a Swayambu Linga.

The place is praised in Thevaram hymns of Gnanasambandar: “Let my tongue ever sing the glory of the Lord of Avur Pasupatheeswaram, known for its fertile plantain fields entertaining the monkeys living around, wearing the sacred ash, standing majestically with His long hair, acknowledging the worship of Lord Vishnu and ever present in the minds of devotees.” This is the 21st temple on the southern banks of Cauvery, praised in Thevaram hyms.

Presiding deity Lord Pasupatheeswarar is Swayambu in Linga form. There are five Bhairavars in standing form worshipping Lord Shiva. Hence the place is called Pancha Bhairava Thalam. Lord Muruga in the temple graces with a bow in hand.

The place was under the rule of Chola kings in the second century. The name of the Lord is mentioned in the epigraphy.

People pray here for removal of obstacles in marriage alliances and progress in educational qualifications.

Avur is the name of the place. Pasupatheeswaram is the name of the temple. This is a Madakovil type. The place is also known as Aswathavanam. As the roof of the sanctum sanctorum has a beautiful hill peak, the place is also called Manikudam. According to tradition, Vayu Deva (authority for wind) brought two hill pieces from Kailash of which one stayed here while the other at Nallur.

Lord Brahmma, seven sages (saptha rishis), Ganas (attendants of Lord Shiva), Devas, Iyakkas, Gandharvas (all belonging to the celestial world), Indira the King of Devas, Sun, the nine planets (navagrahas), Lord Vishnu, Emperor Dasaratha worshipped Lord Shiva in this shrine and got blessed.

A king, Darmadhwaja by name had a dip in the holy spring Brahmma theertham and was cured of his leprosy. Lord Muruga graces in the temple with a bow in His hand.

Avur is the birth place of eminent Tamil poets as Avurkizhar, Avur Moolankizhar and Perunthalai Chathanar. The celebrated Tamil Epic Manimekalai forming part of the five ancient Tamil epics, praised as Aimperum Kappiangal, was authored by Chathanar.