Thiru Aappanoor Temple Madurai | History, Legends, Rituals & Festivals

 

Location

• Address: 75C, Thiru Aapudayaar Kovil Agraharam Road, Sellur, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
• Nearby Landmark: Situated across the Vaigai River from the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, considered a sub-temple to it.
• Accessibility: Easily reachable from Madurai city center, about 3 km from Meenakshi Temple.

Presiding Deities

• Main Deity (Moolavar):
• Lord Shiva as Aappudaiyaar / Rishabeswarar / Idapureesar / Vrusharesar / Anna Lingeswarar
• Consort (Ambal):
• Goddess Kuravankamazhum Kuzhalammai / Suganda Kundalambal

Sub-Shrines & Features

• Shrines dedicated to Vinayaka (Ganesha), Murugan (Kartikeya), and other Shaivite deities.
• The temple does not have a Rajagopuram (main tower), giving it a modest yet ancient charm.
• Built originally by Pandya kings, later renovated by Nayak rulers and Sethupathi kings of Pudukottai.
• Architecture: Dravidian style, with stone mandapams and traditional sculptures.

Temple Significance

• Paadal Petra Sthalam: This temple is the 246th Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 2nd in Pandya Nadu, making it highly revered in Shaivite tradition.
• Legend:
• The name “Aappanoor” comes from “Aappu” (wedge in Tamil).
• A wedge miraculously transformed into a Shivalingam to help Pandya King Solandhagan cross the flooded Vaigai River and reach Meenakshi Temple.
• This divine event gave the temple its name and sanctity.
• Cultural Role: Considered a sub-temple of Meenakshi Amman Temple, it continues to attract devotees during Maha Shivaratri and other Shaivite festivals.
• Historical Contributions: Supported by Pandya kings and Sethupathi rulers, showing its importance in regional history.

History

• Pandya Dynasty: The temple was originally constructed by the Pandya kings, who were ardent patrons of Shaivism.
• Royal Contributions: Later, the Nayak rulers of Madurai and the Sethupathi kings of Pudukottai made significant renovations and endowments.
• Paadal Petra Sthalam: It is the 246th Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 2nd in Pandya Nadu, praised in the hymns of Saint Thirugnana Sambandar.
• The temple has long been considered a sub-temple of Meenakshi Amman Temple, located across the Vaigai River.

Legends

• The Wedge Miracle (Aappu):
• Pandya King Solandhagan wished to cross the flooded Vaigai River to reach Meenakshi Temple.
• A wedge (aappu) miraculously transformed into a Shivalingam, enabling him to worship and safely cross.
• This divine event gave the temple its name “Aappanoor” (place of the wedge).
• King Cholandhagan’s Devotion:
• Another legend narrates that King Cholandhagan, a staunch devotee of Shiva, refused food before his daily puja.
• When no Linga was available, a minister fixed a wooden wedge (aappu) as a substitute.
• The king worshipped it with full devotion, and the wedge became sanctified as a Shivalingam.

Architecture

• Style: Built in Dravidian architecture, with stone mandapams and traditional Shaivite sculptures.
• Unique Feature: The temple does not have a Rajagopuram (grand tower), unlike many other Madurai temples, giving it a modest yet ancient charm.
• Shrines: Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Aappudaiyaar (Rishabeswarar) and Goddess Suganda Kundalambal, along with sub-shrines for Vinayaka, Murugan, Ambal, and Hanuman.
• Elevation: Located at about 182 meters (597 ft) above sea level.

Daily Rituals

The temple follows traditional Shaivite Agamic practices, similar to other Paadal Petra Sthalams:

• Kalasanthi Pooja (Morning) – Abhishekam, Alankaram, Naivedyam, and Deeparadhana.
• Uchikala Pooja (Noon) – Midday worship with Vedic chanting.
• Sayaraksha Pooja (Evening) – Evening prayers with lamps and offerings.
• Ardha Jama Pooja (Night) – Final worship before temple closure.
• Special Abhishekams are performed for the main deity Aappudaiyaar (Lord Shiva) and consort Suganda Kundalambal.

Festivals Celebrated

• Maha Shivaratri – The most important festival, with all-night vigil, Rudra Parayanam, and special abhishekams.
• Pradosham – Bi-monthly ritual observed during Trayodashi, believed to remove sins.
• Amavasya & Pournami – Special abhishekams and deeparadhana.
• Navaratri & Aadi Pooram – Celebrations for Goddess Suganda Kundalambal.
• Karthigai Deepam – Lighting of lamps symbolizing divine light.
• Vaikasi & Panguni Utsavams – Processions of the deities around the temple streets.
• Annual Brahmotsavam – Grand festival with vahana processions, music, and cultural events.

Beliefs & Significance

• Miracle of the Wedge (Aappu): Devotees believe the wedge that became a Shivalingam symbolizes faith transforming obstacles into blessings.
• Sub-temple of Meenakshi Amman Temple: Worship here is considered complementary to prayers at Meenakshi Temple, enhancing spiritual merit.
• Paadal Petra Sthalam: As one of the 275 sacred sites sung by Nayanmars, it is believed that visiting ensures liberation from karmic cycles.
• Blessings for Family & Harmony: Couples and families pray here for unity, peace, and prosperity.
• Relief from Obstacles: Devotees believe Lord Aappudaiyaar removes hurdles in life, especially during Pradosham and Shivaratri.

Temple Hours

• Morning: 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM
• Evening: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Special Days: Extended hours during Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham, Amavasya, and Pournami for abhishekams and deeparadhana.

Getting Here

• By Air: The nearest airport is Madurai International Airport (IXM), about 12 km from the temple.
• By Train: Madurai Junction Railway Station is ~3 km away, with frequent trains from Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, and other major cities.
• By Road: Easily accessible via autos, taxis, and buses from Madurai city center. The temple is located in Sellur, across the Vaigai River from Meenakshi Amman Temple.
• Nearby Landmark: Just 3 km from Meenakshi Amman Temple, making it convenient to include in a Madurai temple circuit.

Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning abhishekam (Kalasanthi Pooja) or evening deeparadhana for a serene experience.
• Combine Visits: Plan to visit Meenakshi Amman Temple, Koodal Azhagar Temple, and Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple along with Aappanoor for a complete Madurai pilgrimage.
• Festivals: If possible, attend Maha Shivaratri or Pradosham here, as they are celebrated with special rituals and large gatherings.
• Dress Code: Traditional attire is preferred; men usually wear dhoti/veshti and women saree/salwar.
• Local Belief: Devotees often pray here for removal of obstacles and family harmony, inspired by the wedge (aappu) legend.
• Accessibility: The temple is modest compared to Meenakshi Temple, with no towering gopuram, but its sanctity lies in its Paadal Petra Sthalam status.