Kailasanathar Temple, Pazhayarai, Thanjavur

Kailasanathar Temple, Pazhayarai, Thanjavur

Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Pazhayarai Village near Patteeswaram in Kumbakonam Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Sabhali Nayagi. The Temple is also called as Pazhayarai Mel Thali / Arai Metrali / Thirumetralikai. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is situated on the northern banks of T.R. Pattinam River.

Legends

Sabhali, the daughter of Kamadhenu worshipped here. Other daughters of Kamadhenu, Patti worshipped Lord Shiva in Patteeswaram, Vimali worshipped Lord Shiva in Pazhayarai Vadathali and Nandini worshipped Lord Shiva in Muzhaiyur.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2020/10/kailasanathar-temple-pazhayarai-history.html

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The temple complex occupies a vast area and would have boasted a 5-tiered Rajagopuram during ancient times. The Gopuram was lost and remains of the foundation can be seen today. The temple is situated on a raised platform with no compound wall around it. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found in front of sanctum.

The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. The Sanctum is very small. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma and Lingodbhava are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.

Mother is called as Sabhali Nayagi. She is housed in Artha Mandapam. Idols of Suryan, Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar and Bhairavar can be found in the Artha Mandapam. Shrines of all these idols are lost. Hence, these idols are kept in the Artha Mandapam. Jyestha Devi belonged to this Temple can be found under Neem Tree nearby.

Festivals

Lord Shiva of Patteeswaram Temple visit Lord of this Temple in palanquin during Aani 1st Month. Pradosham, Somavaram and Shivaratri are celebrated here.

Literary Mention

The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7^th Thirumurai in 35^th Patikam in 1^st Song by Sundarar.

அங்கம்ஓதியோர் ஆறைமேற்றளி

நின்றும்போந்துவந் தின்னம்பர்த்

தங்கினோமையும் இன்னதென்றிலர்

ஈசனாரெழு நெஞ்சமே

கங்குல்ஏமங்கள் கொண்டுதேவர்கள்

ஏத்திவானவர் தாந்தொழும்

பொங்குமால்விடை யேறிசெல்வப்

புறம்பயந்தொழப் போதுமே

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Patteeswaram, 5 Kms from Darasuram Railway Station, 6 Kms from Nandipura Vinnagaram, 6 Kms from Udaiyalur, 6 Kms from Aavoor, 6 Kms from Swamimalai, 9 Kms from Kumbakonam, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 33 Kms from Thanjavur and 97 Kms from Trichy Airport. Pazhayarai Metrali is situated on the way from Thiruvalanchuzhi to Patteeswaram. Town Buses and Mini buses are available from Kumbakonam and Darasuram.

Location