About trip

About Temple:Iravatheeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the village of Thirukottaram in the Tiruvarur
District of Tamilnadu. Constructed by the Medieval Cholas about 1000 years ago, the temple is
dedicated to Shiva. The temple is situated on the banks of the Vanchiyaru River a tributary of the
Cauvery River.Tirugnanasambandar
has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This is the 170th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalam and 53rd Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.

• Moolavar : Iraavatheeswarar
• Amman / Thayar :Vantamar Poonkuzhali, Sugantha Kuntalaambigai
• Thala Virutcham : Paarijaatham ( not available now)
• Theertham :Vaanchiyaaru; another is Sooriya Thirtham in front of the Temple
• Old year : 1000-2000 years old
• Historical Name : Tirukkóttaaru
• Location : Tirukkottaaram,Tiruvarur,Tamil Nadu.

History:

• The temple was built by Kulothunga Cholan in the year 1253 AD. Stone inscriptions in the temple refer to the King as Maduranthagan Kulothunga Cholan.
• Iraavatham is the elephant-vehicle of Lord Indra at the
  heavens. It is with white skin and four tusks. Once Sage
  Dhurvasa brought a lotus flower that adorned the Sivalingam
  consecrated by the Sage at Kasi. 
• He presented that flower to
  Lord Indra who was coming in his ceremonial procession. The
  arrogant Indra received the flower with one hand without any
  reverence and placed it on the head of the elephant. 
• The
  elephant removed the flower with its trunk, threw it on the floor
  and stamped the flower with its leg. The angry Dhurvasa cursed
  both Lord Indra and the elephant. 
• Accordingly, Iraavatham
  became a wild elephant and for one hundred years went to
  several holy places, worshipped the deities and finally got its
  original form at Madurai. 
• This is the legend narrated in the
  Tiruvilayaadal Puranam. Tirukkottaaru is one of the holy places
  worshipped by Iraavatham as a wild elephant. 
• Subha Maharishi
  paid his obeisances to this Lord every day. One day the temple
  doors were closed because he was late.
•  Seeing this Subha
  Maharishi took the form of a bee, went into the sanctum and
  worshipped the Lord. From then on he remained there. 
• From
  that time onwards, the beehive remains in the sanctum of the
  Prime Deity. The devotees who go there to worship should
  stand away from the hive and offer their prayers. 
• It is said that
  honey is extracted annually from this hive and is adorned the
  Lord with that honey. The hive once again thrives. 
• The image of
  this Subha Maharishi is seen in the rear side of the outer round.
  Adjacent to the front Mantapam is the sanctum of Kumaara
  Bhuvaneswarar.
  
• The big Lingam faces west. It is believed that both Sage Agathiyar and Subha Maharishi established this
  imposing Lingam and worshipped.
  

Itinerary

Day 1 - Thiruvarur Sightseeing

Pick up from Theni/Dindigul. Proceeding towards Thiruvarur Hotel Check in. Then proceed to visit Veerataneswarar Temple, Thiruvirkudi, Arulmigu Abathsahyeswarar Temple. Arulmigu Saraswathi Temple. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 2 - Thiruvarur Sightseeing

After Refreshment and Breakfast at Hotel. Check out from Hotel. Then proceed to visit Iravatheeswarar Temple, Thirukottaram. Sri Agnieeswarar Temple sri Seshapureeswarar Temple. Then Starting Our Journey Towards Theni/Dindigul.