The Graceful Aakaasapureeswarar Temple is located in Kaduveli village, near Tiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu, India. This temple shares the brilliant energy of the Purvashadha. This energy always moves in the form of light. Kaduveli is known as the edge of cosmic space. Lord Shiva created a brilliant light at Kaduveli through palm leaves. Once he created this magnificent light, Lord Shiva revealed its existence at the Kaduveli Temple.
A Siddha named Kaduveli Siddha performed penance at this temple and after witnessing Lord Shiva manifest as Sri Akaasapureeswarar, Kaduveli Siddha was transported to the border of cosmic space to continue his penance.
It is auspicious for those born under Purvashadha nakshatra to visit this temple and make offerings to Sri Aakaasapureeswarar at least once in their life time. Those not born under Purvashadha may also benefit by worshipping at Kaduveli Temple. It is favorable to visit on Purvashadha day and perform archana , offer flowers to Sri Aakaasapureeswarar and ask for the blessings of Lord Shiva.
There are special poojas for Vaasthu (the science of arranging the five elements). The Kaduveli temple it is appropriate to conduct the Vassthu pooja for the earth element. This is beneficial to perform before constructing a building or home. This offering is important for people in real estate, construction and building maintenance.
To perform the Vaasthu pooja, one must offer aromatic scents, perform abhishekam, anoint the deity with sandalwood and kesari (flour, sugar, cardamom) and adorn the Siva Lingam with fragrant flowers. It is also favorable to offer pongal (sweetened boiled rice) to the poor people near the temple. This pooja will invoke the blessings of Sri Aakaasapureeswarar and Vaasthu.
The temple did not have the idol of Kaduveli Siddhar earlier, and the idol itself was found when some renovation works were undertaken a few years back.
Sri Nandideva moved outside giving way to Kaduveli Siddhar to worship the Lord. This is also the temple for those praying Siddhas revered as Mahatmas.
The presiding deity is Lord Shiva. He is known as Sri Akashapureeswarar . His consort is known as Goddess Mangalambikai.
This is the sacred soil that gave birth to Kaduveli Siddhar. Kaduveli means open space. He taught people the wisdom he learnt. He did penance for the darshan of Lord Shiva. The lord appeared before him and gifted him with skills in Siddhis – an art of eight branches known as Ashama Siddhis.
This needs an elaborate explanation. The temple was built by a Chola king. Of the elements covering the earth – Akash-space, Vayu-wind, Agni-fire, Appu-water and Prithvi-Earth, this temple is dedicated to Akash, hence the Lord is known as Akashpureeswarar. The king named the place after the Siddha – Kaduveli.
The Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November, Thai Poosam in January-February, Shivrathri in February-March, Navrathri in September-October and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Devotees offer Javvadu and Punugu, both of which are cosmetic powders, to the Lord and offer Kesari, a sweet pudding, as nivedhana to the Lord.