Illuppaikudi Kovil is located at about 5 km from Karaikudi, on the way to Mathur temple. The presiding deity here is Lord Thaanthondreeswarar and his consort Soundara Nayaki.

 

The name comes from the Iluppai trees which grow in abundance in this area.

Konganar, a Siddha used herbals and made gold of iron.  He further improved the quality of the gold to a 500 touch.  He prayed to Lord Shiva to further improve the touch.  Lord Shiva appeared before him at a place dense with Iluppai trees and graced the Siddha to enhance the quality to 1000 touch.  The gold thus prepared shone as a jyothi, a torch.  When Kongana Siddha tried to take it out, the Jyothi went under the earth and appeared as a Shivalinga.  As the Linga appeared from a jyothi, the Lord was named Swayamprakeswarar (Lord of Brightness) and also as Thaanthondreeswarar.

 

The lingam here is a natural one, meaning not shaped by man.

Bhairavar is a special diety here, much worshipped in the locality.

 

Below you will find some details on the Illuppakkudi Kovil and the pictures of Gods and Goddesses in the temple.

 

 

 

 

Article Source - Dinamalar Newspaper