Acharapakkam

Acharapakkam - Sri Aatcheeswarar  Temple

Acharapakkam (அச்சிறுப்பாக்கம்) is a panchayat town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located along the busy National Highway(NH45), 96 km away from Chennai and 4 km away from the famous temple town Melmaruvathur.

Atcheeswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located near the holy village of Acharapakkam, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Tirugnana Sambandar. It is famous for its ancient Shiva temple (Arulmigu Aatcheeswarar Temple) which is one of the Devaram temples.

It is believed that the temple here (Arulmigu Aatcheeswarar Temple) is associated with the legend of Tripurasamhaaram (related to that at Tiruvatikai Veerattaanam). Legend here is that when Lord Shiva was heading ahead in his Chariot (தேர் ) to destroy the Tripurams, the Axle (அச்சு) on Lord Shiva's chariot had broken at this village into two pieces ( இரு பாகம் ), reminding him of Ganesha whom he had not meditated upon prior to his setting out on his mission.

It is also believed that A Pandya ruler who was on his way bringing soil from Ganges for constructing a dam on a local river nearby this place happened to pass through this village in his chariot. While passing, the axle of his chariot is also said to have broken at this village in to two pieces.

Hence the name of this village became Achu Iru Paagam ( அச்சு + இரு + பாகம் ) Meaning : "Axle into two pieces" Later this name eventually became Achirupakkam (அச்சிறுப்பாக்கம் ) and then to Acharapakkam ( அச்சரப்பாக்கம்) 

Significance of the temple:

v  The temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 28th shrine in Thondai region praised in Thevaram hymns.

v  Two presiding in separate sanctum sanctorum for Atcheeswarar and Umai Atcheeswarar, and Also two separate amman sanctorums Ilangili Ammai and Umayambigai.

v  Demons Tharaka and Vidyunmali destroyed by Lord Shiva are the Dwarapalakas of this temple.

v  Lord Atchipureeswarar is also praised as Acheswarar and Achu Kondu Arulia Thevar.  Lord Vinayaka is known as Achu Muri Vinayaka. 

v  Kannuva Munivar and Gowthama Munivar are said to have worhshipped Lord Shiva at this sivasthalam.

Acharapakkam - Sri Aatcheeswarar Temple அச்சிறுபாக்கம் - ஆட்சீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Atcheeswarar, Umaiyatchiswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Ilangili Ammai, Umayaambikai
Location	Achirupakkam, Acharapakkam
Historical Name	Achu Iru Bagam
Significance	28th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Tondai Nadu, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams,
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Chennai

How to Reach :  Acharapakkam is located on the 96th km of Trichy-Chennai National Highway (NH45) and 25 km from Maduranthakam. Acharapakkam has its own railhead on the Trichy-Chennai railway line. This temple is well connected by buses from Chennai city and Tambaram.