Shri Abhivruddhi Nayaki Sametha Shri Akshayapureeshwarar Temple is located in Vilankulam, a peaceful village in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.This ancient temple is believed to be over 700 years old, dating back to the Chola period. It was later renovated during the Nayak period.
Shri Abhivruddhi Nayaki Sametha Shri Akshayapureeshwarar Temple is deeply associated with Akshaya Tritiya, and worship on this day is considered highly auspicious and spiritually powerful.
For centuries, the temple has been a place of healing and spiritual growth. Kings and devotees worshipped here to receive blessings for prosperity, good health, and planetary peace. The name Akshayapureeshwarar means “The Lord of Eternal Prosperity,” reflecting the temple’s purpose—to bless devotees with unending growth and relief from difficulties.
The temple is built in Dravidian style with a simple yet spiritually powerful design. The main shrine (garbhagriha) houses Lord Shiva as Akshayapureeshwarar, in the form of a Shiva Lingam. His consort, Goddess Parvati, is called Abhivruddhi Nayaki, meaning “the goddess who grants growth and progress.” The temple also has separate shrines for Lord Shani Bhagavan and his two consorts, Jyeshta Devi and Mandha Devi — a unique feature found in very few temples. Other deities like Vinayaka, Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, and Durga are also present. The Vila tree is the temple’s sacred tree, and a small sacred spring called Poosa Gnanavavi flows near the southern side.
According to the legend, Shani Bhagavan once suffered serious injuries caused by his own brother, Yama (god of death). He wandered in pain and prayed to Lord Shiva at many temples. When he arrived at Vilankulam, he tripped and fell over the roots of a Vila tree near a Shiva Lingam. He cried in pain and devotion. Touched by his sincere worship, Lord Shiva appeared and healed him. Shiva also arranged for Shani to marry two consorts here and blessed him to be worshipped along with them in this temple. From then on, this place became a powerful center to reduce the malefic effects of Shani. Lord Shiva took the name Akshayapureeshwarar, and Goddess Parvati became Abhivruddhi Nayaki, the one who grants prosperity.
The most important festival celebrated at this temple is Shani Peyarchi (the transit of Saturn), which happens once every 2.5 years. Thousands of devotees gather to perform special poojas and abhishekams to Shani Bhagavan to remove Saturn-related problems in life. Saturdays are especially important, and so are days when the Pushya Nakshatra is active. Devotees perform Shani abhishekam with 8 sacred items (gingelly oil, milk, honey, panchamirtham, etc.) and circumambulate the shrine 8 times, seeking relief from Sade Sati, Ashtama Shani, and marriage-related issues.
Shri Abhivruddhi Nayaki Sametha Shri Akshayapureeshwarar Temple is deeply associated with Akshaya Tritiya, and worship on this day is considered highly auspicious and spiritually powerful.
The name of the presiding deity itself — “Akshayapureeshwarar” — holds the essence of Akshaya Tritiya:
“Akshaya” means never diminishing, eternal, or ever-growing.
It symbolizes unending prosperity, health, wealth, and success.
According to temple tradition and belief, worshipping Lord Akshayapureeshwarar on Akshaya Tritiya grants blessings that never diminish over time, much like the meaning of the word Akshaya.
