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Overview

Iranikkovil is one of the nine temples built by Nattukkotati Nagarathars and there are about 3800 Nattukkotati Nagarathars families belong to this temple.

This kovil can be termed as an architectural marvel or chirpakkalanjiam. It is belived that vishnu worshipped the lord here after killing iraniyan here and hence the name Iranikkovil.

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Iraniyur Temples

Sri Atkondanathar-Sivapuranthevi Thirukkovil

Sri Atkondanathar is the lord (moolavar) of the Iraniyur temple. Devotees believe that the lord Atkondanathar bestows everyone with all the love, luck, and happiness if we sincerely worship him. Mother Sivapuranthevi’s shrine is situated to the north of lord Atkondanathar’s shrine and faces the south side. It is strongly believed that mother Sivapuranthevi brings us all the wealth, intelligence, and blesses with child.

Sri Neelamega Perumal-Kanagavalli Thayar Thirukkovil

Sri Neelamega Perumal-Kanagavalli Thayar Thirukkovil is located towards the west of Sri Atkondanathar-Sivapuranthevi Thirukkovil. Sri Neelamega Perumal-Kanagavalli Thayar Thirukkovil is a majestic monument built by the Pandiyas. Nagarathars were the ones who restored this sacred structure by preventing it from destruction.

Sri Badrakaliamman Thirukkovil

Sri Badrakaliamman Thirukkovil is one of the temples dedicated to the small deities who are believed to take care of the village. All the poojas and auspicious occasions are observed in a proper manner in these temples as well. There are other similar temples like the Sri Badrakaliamman temple, such as Kazhuvan Kovil and Sandhi Veeran Kovil.

Greatness of Temple

Lord Aatkonda Nathar is a swayambumurthy. The temple has the wonderful structure facilitating darshan of the deity and also the Vimana simultaneously from the front mandap. Due to the presense of KALASAMHARAMOORTHY, People celebrate their 60th and 80th birth days here. Special abisheks are performed to Lord on Masi Magam star day in February-March.

Mother Shivapurandevi graces the devotees with two hands facing south. When Lord Vishnu took the Narasimha incarnation in a furious form, Ambica, sister of Lord Vishnu also became furious which reflected at nine spots in pillars in the mandap in front of the shrine, the expressions visible even now. There is also an Ashtalakshmi Mandap in the temple.

Lord Bhairava in the shrine near that of Ambica appears with long side teeth with His dog vahan turning left. Karthika Champaka Sashti festival is dedicated to Him in November-December. He graces from the sanctum sanctorum for six days during this festival and taken in a palanquin procession. Students pray to Lord Bhairava for achieving high ranks in studies. Lord Dakshinamurthi graces in the goshta mandap shouldered by 4 lions.

Kubera the lord of wealth and Vayu Bhagwan had worshipped in this temple according to the history of the place. Both appear on a Horse Vahan. There are also shrines for Navagrahas the nine planets and Mother Gajalakshmi. As this is the place where Lord Shiva helped Lord Vishnu cleansing his His dosha for killing Iraniya, the place is named Iranianur.

Special Features

Miracle Based: Lord Aatkondanathar is a swayambumurthy. Against the general tradition of Lord Muruga appearing with his consorts Valli and Deivanai together on a peacock Vahan, quite differently, the three grace the devotees separately sitting on their own peacocks. Th presence of Guberar is a speciality of this temple

Iraniyur has the special feature three temples siva, visnu and kali. Worshiping in all the 3 together is a god given gift. The Kali temple is famous among the locals to give good health & Wealth

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Temple History

The great Iranikkovil has interesting history behind its construction. One of the common beliefs is that Lord Vishnu had been affected with dosham after killing the asura Hiranyakasipu who is known to be fond of wealth. Lord Vishnu killed Hiranyakasipu, the king of daityas in the avatar of Narasimha. However, Lord Vishnu had to wash away his sin of killing Hiranyakasipu by getting relief by praying to Lord Shiva in the place where Iranikkovil is situated today. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Narasimmar and cleansed him of the dosha here. Hence the place came to be known as Hiranyanoor which later became Iraniyur. The Lord of the temple is also called Narasimmeswarar as he was worshipped by Narasimmar.

The temple is believed to be very old as its existence dates back to 8th century. The Iraniyur temple is also regarded as one of the temples related to Lord Bhairava and is supposed to be the sub-temple of another Nagarathar Temple at Ilayathankudi.