Avalivanallur Satchinathar Temple - Pancha Aranya Sthalam

About

Satchinathar Temple located at about 13 Km from Alangudi lies Avalivanallur, a Sivasthalam, and one of the Padal PetraSthalam and also a Pancha aranya sthalam. Pancha aranya sthalam is a set of 5 temples that are to be visited on the same day. Thirkarugavur, Alangudi, Avalivanallur, Haridwara Mangalam, and Thirukollambudhur are the 5 temples.  Of these, now I am going to give a brief note on Avalaivanallur. You will find apart from Thirukarugavur and Alangudi, the famous shrines, rest 3 in a pathetic condition. These temples for lack of funds and pilgrims, are suffering a lot. However, the grace of the almighty can be felt very clearly.

History / Story

Avalivanallur is the place of Soundaranayagi Sametha Satchinathar. This temple was worshipped by Lord Vishnu when he took the Varaha Avatar. This temple an impressive history, and mythology. The priest of the temple was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. His daughters were known much for their beauty. Owing to her beauty, the elder daughter Suseelai, was loved by a young man. This young man got married to her, and set foot to Kashi to worship Lord Shiva. The young wife fell sick and ended up with rashes and boils all over body. Her younger sister came to nurse her. When the young man returned, he claimed the beautiful woman to be his wife, as he couldn’t recognize the rather ugly woman who was ailing. Suseelai, who was devoted to Lord Shiva felt that she was doomed, and cried for the mercy of the Lord.

Lord Shiva, in his Rishaba Vahana, which is the Ox, came down with His consort, and explained who Suseelai was. The shaken young man corrected his error. Suseelai was also given her youth and beauty back. 

Sanctums In The Temple

There is an idol of Suseelai, her husband and her sister in the temple. Behind the Linga, God and Goddess are seen in the Rishaba Vahana.

Best Way To Worship & When To Reach

When you are planning to visit this temple, you can follow the order as here. Morning start with Thirukarugavur, between 7 to 9 AM, from 9:30 to 10 AM, visit Avalivanallur. For the next puja hours, that is 12 noon, visit Haridwara Mangalam. Visit Alangudi at 6 PM, and at 8 PM visit Thirkollambudur. As said before the 3 temples, Avalivanallur, Haridwara Mangalam and Thirukollmabudur are in a condition that would shake any devotee. So, prepare yourself when setting foot here. You need to purchase all the things needed for puja at Thirukarugavur, which is a wise decision.

Timings

8:30 AM - 9:00 PM