Avudaiyarkoil, Hindu temple in Pudukkottai district, India

Avudaiyarkoil, also called Tirupperunturai, stands on the south bank of the Vellar River about 14 km southeast of Aranthangi. Its tiered tower is covered with small sculpted figures and motifs painted pale blue, green, pink, red and yellow, with white and cream stone between them. Horizontal bands of carved figures run along the base, and pot-like finials line the roof edge above a carved stone balustrade with two white bovine figures.

The temple was built in the 11th century during the reign of the Chola dynasty, which shaped Tamil Nadu with religious construction. Later rulers added more shrines and entrance towers without altering the original construction style.

The village is called Avudaiyarkoil after the goddess Avudaiyar, consort of Atmanatha, the form of Shiva worshipped here. The saint Manikkavacakar composed the Tiruvacakam at this temple. Offerings differ from other Shiva temples: the six daily pujas use parboiled rice, served with bitter gourd curry and greens, and devotees are not given the lamp flame to touch, since Manikkavacakar is held to have merged with the light.

Visitors should wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, as this is expected at religious sites in Tamil Nadu. Shoes are removed at the entrance, so bringing footwear that slips off easily and a bag to store it helps.

The sanctum holds no idol at all: the Athmanadha Swamy shrine is worshipped in formless manner, without a flagstaff, sacrificial altar or Nandi bull. Offerings of boiled rice, bitter-gourd curry and greens are made six times a day, and devotees are not given the lamp to touch, since Manikkavacakar is held to have merged into the light here.