Avinashi is a Special Grade Town Panchayat and taluk headquarters in Tirupur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Avinashi is one among the nine taluks of the district. It is one of the popular pilgrim destinations in Kongunadu region. It is located on National Highway NH544, which bypasses the town. The history of the town is centred around the Avinasilingeswarar temple. The town was previously a part of the Coimbatore district until Tirupur was carved out as a separate district from the erstwhile districts of Coimbatore and Erode. It is a major halt place for vehicles bounding to Chennai and Cochin from the western Tamil Nadu.
Etymology
The word Avinashi means "indestructible", referring to the God of the Avinashi Temple. It was previously known as Thirupukkoliyur . Thiru means "grace of God" and Pukkoliyur means "a place of refuge". It is said that once Devas took shelter in this temple in fear of Asuras.
Geography
Avinashi has an average elevation of 313 metres. Avinashi is a suburb of Tiruppur located on the arterial road connecting the textile cities of Tirupur, Erode and Coimbatore. It is known for the Shiva temple constructed by Sundarapandiya and is closely associated with the Saiva saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar.
History
Avinashi is part of the ancient Kongunadu region, which now comprises the districts of Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Karur, Namakkal, Dindigul and Krishnagiri. This place was known as Thirupukkoliyur in the Sangam era. It is one of the seven Shivastalams in Kongu Nadu; however this temple is better known as Karunaiyaaththaal temple. Avinashi is also referred to in inscriptions as Dakshina Varanasi, Tiruppukkozhiyur etc. Tirumular's Tirumantiram, Arunagirinathar's Tiruppugazh & Manikkavasakar's Tiruvasakam refer to this shrine. This temple is regarded as the first of the seven Tevara Stalams in the Kongu Region of Tamil Nadu. "Vinasam" in Tamil means "Destruction". Prefixing with 'A' means 'No-destruction'. Avinashi is "a place which doesn't have any destruction by any means". In all Shiva temples, Goddess Shakthi is seen left-side of Lord Shiva. Whereas in Avinashi, she is right-side of Lord Shiva. Inscriptions here reveal that the Cholas, Pandyas and the Hoysalas have made extensive endowments to the temples. Sundaramoorthy Nayanar on his way to meet Cheramaan Peruman, the Nayanar happened to visit Avinashi. As he was passing through one of the streets, he heard two discordant notes coming from opposite houses, one echoing joy and another sorrow. The puzzled saint understood the cause for the strange phenomenon. Two boys of the same age went to bathe in a tank from which emerged a crocodile and devoured one of them. There was being celebrated the "Upanayanam" of the surviving boy, now 8 years old. Hence there was joy and mirth in the house. While the other people were unable to bear their sorrow. Had their boy been alive, they too would be celebrating his "Upanayanam". Intensely moved by this, Sundaramoorthy Nayanar poured out of soulful song, praying to Lord shiva to resurrect the dead child. His prayer was answered. The empty tank started surging with water from which emerged the crocodile and ejected the child as a fully grown boy of eight years. Avinashi also has Karivaradharaja Perumal temple, Anjaneya Temple, Akasa Raayan temple, Angalamman Temple, and Ayyappan Temple.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, the taluk of Avinashi had a population of 337923 with 168055 males and 169868 females. There were 1011 women for every 1000 men. The taluk had a literacy rate of 68.05. Child population in the age group below 6 was 15424 Males and 14709 Females.
Transport
The nearest airport is the Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 32 km away from the town. There is no rail transport to the town. The nearest Railway Station is at Tirupur, which is about 12 km away from Avinashi. The key public mass transport for the people here is the Buses run by the State Government & Private Sector thus providing a competitive service to the people.
Architecture
Ambal's sanctum is to the right of Avinasiappar's sanctum, unlike that in most temples. The Kasi Gangai Theertham—in the form of a well is considered to be of significance. The Kaalabhairavar shrine in this temple is held in reverence. Kaala Bhairavar is worshipped here with offerings of Vadai Maalai. Avinashilingeshwarar temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological survey of India. Pooja Timings Temple opening Time 5:00 am Usha Kalam Pooja 5.30 – 6.00 am Kaala Sandhi Pooja 8.00 – 8.30 am Uchi kala Pooja 12.00 – 12.30 pm Saya rakshai Pooja 5.30 – 6.00 pm Artha Saman Pooja 7.30 – 8.00 pm Temple Closing Time 8:00 pm
Industries
There are many textile mills located in and around this town. These textile mills comprise spinning and weaving mills that work closing with various apparel manufacturing companies, the major one being S.P.Apparels ltd. There are also many engineering industries. Agriculture is the major occupation of many of the people in and around this city.
This temple's car is the second biggest in India, after the one in Tiruvarur and is noted for its fine wooden carvings. Since the old car was destroyed by fire in 90's, it has been rebuilt. The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai. Apart from Temple car festival, 'Arubathi moovar Ula' is one of the notable festival in this temple. The festival chariot here is said to be on par with Tiruvarur. Previously it was a 10-day festival, but now it is celebrated for 2 days. There are two temple cars, the wheels of the cars are made of iron. In earlier days, the car was pulled by people alone, now bulldozers help to move the car. The traffic in the Avinashi road is increasing day by day, and because of this, the temple management is thinking of moving the car from the road side to some other place near the temple.
