Avudaiyarkoil
| Avudaiyarkoil | |
|---|---|
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 Avudaiyarkoil
Location in Tamil Nadu
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| Name | |
| Other names | Thirupperundurai |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 10°05′N 78°35′E / 10.09°N 78.59°ECoordinates: 10°05′N 78°35′E / 10.09°N 78.59°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Pudukkottai |
| Location | India |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Athmanathar (Shiva) |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
Tirupperunturai (Tamil: திருபெருந்துறை), known as Avudaiyarkoil., is a Shaiva temple situated near Aranthangi in the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. One of the sacred books of Tamil Saiva Siddhanta, Manikkavacakar's Tiruvacakam, originated from this shrine. Manikkavacakar is said to have converted the king to the cult of Shiva and built the temple with money that had been intended for war-horses.
The presiding deity is formless (Atmanatar); there is no Shivalingam but only a pedestal {Avudayar} located in the sanctum, hence the name Avudayar Koil. His consort is worshipped as Siva Yoga Nayaki in iconless form. There is no Nandi bull icon. There is deep spiritual significance in the queerness. Hinduism allows deity worship only for beginners in the initial stage. As the devotee and his devotion matures, he has to realise the truth of formless. To illustrate the theology, the temple has been designed. This is the only Saivite shrine in whole of India to portray the supreme truth symbolically. Since the soul (athma) has no form, the deity is called Athmanathar. The Temple is located at the co-ordinates of 10.076°N 79.043°E.
As at Chidambaram and Tiruvanaikoil, here Vedic rituals are performed, unlike the Sivachariyar or Adhisaivar temples who follow Agama rituals. in this case the temple is administered by Nambiar Brahmins – a class of Vaideeka Brahmins said to be descendants of Rowshayadana or agnivesha, a saint who originated from Agni, and were taught the Vedas by Atmanatar himself. This agnivesha is also famous author of a magnificent ancient medical treatise called agnivesha kalpasutra spanning 77000 verses that discusses treatment for many types of diseases and medicines. They are said to number three hundred and are also called Munnothioruvar.
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