Sri Achaleswarar (Vandarkulali) temple (2000 years old)

Saivite saint Thirunavukkarasar has praised the temple in his Thevaram hymns.

The shade of the presiding deity would fall only eastward. The construction of the temple is after the model of the Thanjavur Pragadeeswarar temple.

This is a temple within the Thiagarajar temple of Tiruvarur. The temple has a special significance. Naminandhi Adigal, one of the 63 celebrated Shiva devotees – Nayanmars established the supremacy of Lord Shiva by lighting the temple lamp with water.

People pray for the removal of obstacles in marriage talks and for child boon.

Hearing the wonderful devotion of Naminandhi Adigal, the Chola king made him the head of the temple administration and offered all help to conduct the festivals in the temple. Lord Shiva placed Adigal as one of the 63 Nayanmars. The Jains who mocked Adigal regretted their attitude.

The shade of the presiding deity would fall only eastward. The construction of the temple is after the model of the Thanjavur Pragadeeswarar temple. Saivite saint Thirunavukkarasar has praised the temple in his Thevaram hymns.

Naminadhi Adigal was worshiping Lord Achaleswarar every day without fail. One evening when he came to the temple, he noticed that the Deepa – the lamp was nearly extinguishing as the ghee was exhausted. It would be too late to continue the lighting if he went to his house to bring the ghee. He approached some neighbors for ghee. They belonged to a different faith and mocked at Naminandhi Adigal saying that his Lord Shiva was a powerful God as He himself was holding a torch and even told him that if his faith- was true, he can light the lamp with water. Adigal felt very much hurt. He came to Lord and asked Him, “you were witness to what they said. Am I so sinful to hear such words?” A voice from the space said that Adigal may bring water from the tank in the temple and light the lamp. Doing so as instructed by the voice, he was excited to see the lamp burning brighter than before. He lighted all the lamps in the temple with water instead of with ghee or oil. The whole temple became bright as in the day with sun rays. Hearing the wonderful devotion of Naminandhi Adigal, the Chola king made him the head of the temple administration and offered all help to conduct the festivals in the temple. Lord Shiva placed Adigal as one of the 63 Nayanmars. The Jains who mocked Adigal regretted their attitude. The shade of the presiding deity would fall only eastward. The construction of the temple is after the model of the Thanjavur Pragadeeswarar temple. Saivite saint Thirunavukkarasar has praised the temple in his Thevaram hymns.