This temple lies in the shadow of Madurai Meenakshi
Sundareswarar temple .The Pandya Kings and the Royal Sethupathi kings have
made many contributions to this temple although little is known of its history to the
thousands of visitors that throng Madurai. This shrine is regarded
as the 2nd of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of
Legend: The name
'Aappudaiyaar' comes from the word 'Aappu' - a wedge that was mistakenly worshipped as a
Shivalingam by a Pandya ruler is said to have transformed miraculously into a Shivalingam.
Shiva is also believed to have miraculously caused grains of sand to turn into rice during
the time of a debilitating famine, hence the name Anna Lingeswarar. :
Festivals: Bhrammotsavam here is marked for the month of Maasi.
Navaratri is also celebrated here. Images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar visit this temple
from the famed Madurai temple, on the day of Panguni Uththiram, and return on a Rishabha
Vaahanam. The festival idols here - made of silver are of great beauty and
they are taken in procession during the biweekly Pradosham festival.