Hidden somewhere in a small hamlet near Bangalore and Hosur a place called as Athimugam, there is a temple, known as Sri Iravadeswarar Temple is of immense importance.
Athimugam is located in Shoolagiri Taluk in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu State, India.
Sri Iravadeswarar temple in Athimugam, Hosur is believed to be a 1800 yrs old temple.
Watch the video here:
Legend of Sri Iravadeswarar Temple Athimugam
This is the temple where Indiran (King of Devas) and his vahana Iravadham got relieved of Brahmahathi dosham.
As the Iravadham or the wahana of lord indra worshipped the Lord shiva here in this temple, it is said the Shivalinga has that image on the face.
Hasthi means Elephant in Sanskrit and mugam means face. The village is also known as Hasthimugam which later got changed to Athimugam.
You will also find the small shrine of Mother Kamakshi Amman standing behind the Iravatheswar lingam within the same sanctum’s sanctorum (Garba graha).
Since we were not allowed to go very near to Shivainga in the temple we could not see the face of Iravadham on the shiva linga.. but the legend behuind this temple was enough for us to visit this temple and pay our repect to lord iradeshwara.
At the outer coridor of the temple you wil find lord Ganapathy and lord dakshinamurty.
The temple has two presiding deities. Besides the one mentioned above, Lord Shiva in the form of Sri Alageshwara Swamy graces with Mother Akilandeswari in a different sanctum in this temple.
This temple is an Irratai sannithi temple ie. there are two moolavars. The Iravatheswar shrine has Appar and Thirugnana Sambandar statues. So it is believed that this temple should have been visited by them.
This is also a temple of Sun Worship. Nandhi (Vahanam of Lord Shiva) is seated slightly away in front of Lord Iravatheswar leaving way for the Surya puja. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord during the first week of Tamil month of Thai (mid January to mid February). As Nandhi is on a side to facilitate Surya puja, other planets (navagrahas) are also in a calm and sitting form. The Navagrahas in this temple are in a calm and seated position.
There is a pancha lingam sannidhi with 5 Shiva lingams in 5 sanctums in a row with Nandhi in front of each Shiva linga.
The Sthala viruksham is Vilva tree. Vilva tree in this temple is about 1800 years old and it is said to be the very oldest, tallest and biggest in the world. The tree is still very lively and majestic.
Lord Murugan is seen with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Lord Murgan’s vahanam peacock is seen facing the left side of Lord Murugan and it is a rare thing to see.
The temple is specifically beneficial for education and career growth. People pray for removal of obstacles in marriage , for child boon, achievements in education and career growth.
The Iravadeswarar Temple has immense religious as well has historical importance.
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