The Avinashi temple is believed to be the first among the seven shivastalams of Kongunadu. It is also known as the Karunaiyaathaal temple. The temple's construction is connected to a legend based on Sundaramurthi Nayanar. The 'Moovendargal' Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas have made huge bequest to this Temple.
The Tamil saying goes – Kasiyil Vasi Avinashi meaning that what the devotee derives by worshipping in Kasi-Varanasi, he/she derives half of the benefits by worshipping Avinashi Lingeswara in Avinashi. Lord Avinashi Appar, Lord Bhairava and the holy water-Theertham- are brought from Kasi. Bathing in the Kasi well in the temple on new moon day-Amavasya brings manifold benefits to the devotee. There will be no interval closing of the temple on new moon days. Vinasam in Sanskrit or Tamil means perishable. Avinashi means imperishable.
The inner corridors on the four sides of the sanctum sancotrum are decorated with the images of Nayanmars, Murugan Sannidhi in the northwest and Karaiakal Ammaiar Sannidhi on the northeast.
The shrine of Goddess Karunambikai (consort of Avinashi Lingeswarar) is seen separately and is located on the right side of the presiding deity. It is located in the southern side of the temple corridor. The front mandapam of Goddess Karunambikai shrine has carvings of figures like the elegant and beautiful Kurathi or her more rugged male counterpart Kuravan, which arrests the attention of everybody entering this shrine. At the back of the shrine is carved a figure of scorpion, which is said to have the efficacy to cure a person, from even the bite of a venomous snake and sting of scorpions. The Kala Bhairava shrine of this temple has a special status.
Legend:
Sundaramurthi Nayanar was passing through the town of Avinashi on his way to meet Cheraman Peruman. While going along a street he observed two houses overlooking each other. He couldn't help but notice the contradictory auras emitting from both houses: one of joy and the other of sorrow. Enquiring about the event he came to know the reason behind the incongruity. Two boys, of the same age went for a swim in a river nearby. While they were having their bath a crocodile appeared all of a sudden out of nowhere and consumed one of them. Sage Sundarar immediately went to the temple and demanded the Lord to direct the crocodile to give back the boy it swallowed three years ago when he was four. He prayed to Lord with a Pathigam (10 verses).
As he sang the fourth stanza begging the Lord to direct the crocodile to return the boy, to the joy of all around him, the crocodile brought back the boy with the growth he would have at the age of seven.
Sundarar took the boy to the parents and arranged his Upanayanam too. This is a great event related with this temple.
During the Panguni Uthiram festival in March-April, Mudalai Vai Pillai – boy in the grip of the crocodile – Utsav is celebrated for three days.
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