Thiru Aappanoor, Hindu temple in Sellur, Madurai, India
Thiru Aappanoor is a Hindu temple in Sellur featuring a main shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva that faces east. The complex also includes a shrine for Subrahmanyar positioned between the principal deities, along with additional smaller shrines throughout the grounds.
The temple was constructed during the Pandya dynasty period and later expanded significantly by the Nayak rulers. These Nayak kings introduced characteristic Dravidian architectural features that define the structure today.
The temple holds a place among 276 sacred sites honored by the Tamil saint Sambandar, who composed verses celebrating this location. Devotees still chant these compositions during visits, keeping the spiritual connection alive.
The temple is accessible by public buses from the Madurai Periyar bus station heading to the Simmakkal stop, which sits across the river. Checking the location beforehand and asking locals for directions is helpful, especially on a first visit.
An ancient sacred fig tree on the grounds has a statue of Lord Ganesha carved into its trunk. The same area also features a pillar displaying an image of Hanuman, adding layers of spiritual significance to the site.
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