Missouri

The location and reaching there 

Known as Tiruperunthurai in ancient times, Avudaiyar Koil, situated in Pudukottai, is 45 km from Pudukottai via Aranthangi.This place is 14 km from Aranthangi in Aranthangi Memesal roadroute can also be reached via Pattukottai from Thanjavur and also from Madurai via Tirupathur,Karaikudi and Aranthangi.Aranthangi is the nearest railway station.

I have stayed in Hotel Femina near Tiruchi Junction bus stop - visited Thiruvallari temple the day before ( see my previoustravelogue ) and visited here the next day via Pudukottai.

If you are not reaching Tiruchi by air Vaigai express and Rockfort express express are two best trains from Chennai to Tiruchi.Rockfort leaves Chennai late at 10.50 pm when you have finished all assignments in Chennai and reaches early morning 05.30 at Tiruchi junction after a good sleep in the train.Once you have booked yourself in a chosen hotel from the many available near bus stand You are immediately free for any adventure from morning.Tiruchi central bus stand is very well connected to all towns near and far.Private car hire is also available if you are in a group.

Chennai urban train journey is an experience in itself. ( Photos by N.k.Ravi.) 

Cauvery bridge near Tiruchi 

 

 

Historical significance 

Vadavurar was a minister with Arimarthana Pandiyan.He was assigned the job of selecting good breed horses and buying them for the Kingdom from the eastern coast ( Thondi was a Pandiya port ).On the way when he rested in this placeunder the Kurutha tree the ministergot the divine blessing and became Manikka Vasagar the saint. This temple was built by Manikka Vasghar one of the the greatest Saivite scholar in the 8th century with divine sanction. 

The templehas no Lingam in the sanctum. Instead it only has the base, (Avudayar), which has a metal cover placed on it. This represents formlessness, the absolute ultimate. Swami's name is Atmanathar. This is a south facing temple ( which is very rare )the legend is Brahma was taught the Gayatri Mantra here by Atmanathar, when all the four Vedas appeared before Him. Hence, this place is also called `Chaturvedapuram".In south indian historical texts and manusscripts this place is called Chatur veda mangalam.

Another unique thing to notice is this temple has no Nandi or Dwajathampham.

Avudaiyar koil ( Tiruppreundurai ) 

20 of the 51 parts of Thiruvasakam the saivite religious work were sung here and attributed to the temple shows the special significance of this place.

 

When sculptors enter in to contract with the rulers for building the temple the standard format of the contract was worded that their work will be comparable to other artisans images except that of Avudaiyar koil. Such was the rare feat achieved here withbig stones made in to thin layers by polishing and chiseling. In Muthu Vinayakar mandapam wherethose stone rope chains hanging from the top, thereis demonstration for visitors on the left with holes in a big stone. 

Pragaram around the temple





I saw a stone inscription at he entrance in Tamil stating that Pachiappa Mudaliyar the philanthropist donated 100,000 sovereigns of gold to the British treasury interest from which will be used for the upkeep of the temple in the year 1764.

I took lunch inLena mess here which is the only decent ( ? ) veg .joint as advised by the locals.