Mother Goddess in the temple is praised as Aram Valartha Nayaki in Tamil and Dhrma Samvardhini in Sanskrit meaning Mother who upholds Dharama. It is the strong belief of Hindus that women are better guardians of Dharma than men.
She is pursuing her devotees to follow the path of Dharma. To emphasize the fact that every day is a Good Day, the wedding festival for mother is conducted on Ashtami nights. There is generally a belief that Ashtami eighth day of new moon or full moon fortnights is not an auspicious day.
But with the gracious look of Mother, what we call inauspicious becomes auspicious. A priest of the temple could not be present for his puja duty in time. It was reported to the king. He rushed to the temple to check but was astonished to see the priest on duty doing abishek to Lord. The priest returned to the place only next day from his Kasi pilgrimage.
The
king and people were more surprised to know the truth and understood
that it was Lord Aiyarappar, in the form of the priest, was conducting
pujas for Himself. Lord Aiyarappar is always with those who keep him in their heart and soul. It is note worthy that devout Saivite Saint Appar Tirunavukkarasar worshipped here and had the Mount Kailash darshan from here.
He had his holy bath in the Manasa Sarovar at Kailash and returned from the Tiruvaiyaru tank. This Surya Pushkarini Theertha is all sacred. Mother Dharma Samvardhini is praised as Lord Mahavishnu in this place. Hence, there are no Vishnu temples around this place.
Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Temple Festivals:
Maha Shivrathri in February-March is very devotionally celebrated in the temple.
Chithirai Vishakam festival.
Kalashtami in the month of Karthikai. Moolavar: Aiyarappan Amman / Thayar: Dharma Samvardhini
Theertham: Surya Pushkarini
Lord Shiva in the
temple is a swayambumurthy. If one calls the name Aiyarappa loudly from
a particular spot in the temple, it echoes seven times.
Circumambulating the temple prakaras is a usual tradition but this is
prohibited in this temple.
The Dhyana Mandap ' Meditation Hall ' of the temple is built with lime and palm jaggery,Karuppati in Tamil. Deep pits were dug to store these materials. The wages for the workers were paid in gold and silver, it is said. These precious metals too were put in two pits and the workers were allowed to take what they could carry. These pits still exist in the temple.
Devotees pray for wedding, child and education boons.
The
names Nandeeswarar and Nandikeswarar are mistook as one name and
deity. Indeed, they are different from the other. Nandeeswarar is the
bull vehicle of Lord Shiva commonly called Nandhi. Nandikesar is the
founder of the Tiru Kayilaya Parampara-dynasty.
Dharumapuram
Adheenam and Tiru Avaduthurai Adheenam belong to this
heritage. Nandikesar was born to Sage Siladha with four hands. The sage
placed the child in a box and opened it then. It was beautiful child
with two hands. He left the child in Tiruvaiyaru.
Lord
Shiva performed abishek to the child with the breast milk of Mother
Ambica, the foam from Nandhi's mouth, nectar-amirtha- Saiva Theertham
and Surya Pushkarini Theertham totally five items, hence, the Lord of
the temple is praised as Aiyarappan 'Lord of five theerthas'.
Do's:
Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.