Atcheeswarar Temple, Achchirupakkam
| Location of the temple | Achirupakkam |
| Lord Shiva known as | Atcheeswarar, Umaiyatchiswarar |
| Female deity known as | Ilangili Ammai, Umayaambikai |
| Pathigam | Sambandar – 1 |
| How to reach | The railway station Achirupakkam is on the Chengalpattu – Villupuram section of the Southern Railway. On the Chennai – Tindivanam national highway (NH4), after crossing Chengalpattu, Maduranthakam and Melmaruvathoor, there is a stop at Achirupakkam on the main road. A branch road on the left from here takes you Achirupakkam village and to the temple. This shivasthalam temple is located about 96 Kms from Chennai. |
| Temple address | Arulmighu Atcheeswarar Temple Achirupakkam Achirupakkam Post Madurantakam Taluk Kancheepuram District PIN 603301 |
Map courtesy by: Yahoo Maps
It is said tha Lord Shiva once set out on a mission in a chariot to destroy the Tripura demons, more commonly known as Tripurasamharam (related to Atta Veerattana Sthalam Tiruvathigai). Lord Shiva forgot to think about Lord Vinayaka who has to be worshipped by all before starting / doing any kind of work for success. In view of this it is said that the axle (Achchu in Tamil) of Lord Shiva’s chariot broke here and this sivasthalam is known as Achirupakkam. It is also said that the axle of a Pandiya King’s chariot also broke down here as he was bringing soil from the Ganges for building a dam across a river.
The Temple: The temple has a 5 tier tower (gopuram) on the east side. Once we enter through this tower, we will see the Kotimaram, palipeetam and Nandhi mandapam being located on the right side in the eastern outer prakaram. There is an entrance straight in front once we enter through the rajagopuram. One can go striaght through this second entrance and reach the sanctum sanctorum of one of the two Lords UmaiAtcheeswarar. God Sivan and Goddess Parvathi appear as newly wed couples behind the sivalingam in sculpted form. This sivasthalm is one among many other places where God has shown a vision of his marriage to sage Agasthiar.
The other Lord Atcheeswarar is seen in another sanctum sanctorum which is in a straight line to the Kotimaram, palipeetam and Nandhi mandapam that are located in the eastern outer corridor. Atcheeswarar is the main presiding deity of this sthalam. There are two Goddess shrines in this sthalam. Goddess Umayambikai is seen facing south outside the sanctum sanctorum of Lord UmaiAtcheeswarar. The second Goddess Ilangili Ammai’s shrine is located in the north-east corner of the northern outer prakaram. Kannuva Munivar and Gowthama Munivar are said to have worhshipped Lord Shiva at this sivasthalam.