Tiruppukkozhiyur

Tiruppukkozhiyur
Avinasiappar Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictTiruppur
DeityAvinasiyappar (Shiva)
Location
LocationAvinashi
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Tiruppukkozhiyur is located in Tamil Nadu
Tiruppukkozhiyur
Avinashilingeswarar Temple, Avinashi, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates11°11′18″N 77°16′07″E / 11.1882°N 77.2685°E / 11.1882; 77.2685
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture
Elevation367 m (1,204 ft)

Tiruppukkozhiyur (also called Karunaiyaaththaal Temple, Avinasilingeswarar temple and Avainasiappar temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Avinasi, a panchayat town in Tiruppur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Avinasiappar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Karunambigai. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

The temple complex covers five acres and it houses two gateway towers known as gopurams, each facing the Avinasiappar and Karunambigai shrine. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Avinasiappar and his consort Karunambigai being the most prominent.

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated during the day of the Magam (February - March) is the most prominent festival.

The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.