Saturday, June 4, 2016

Kamanada Eswarar Temple, Aragalur, Salem

Kamanada Eswarar Temple, Aragalur, Salem
Kasi is so famous for Bairavar worship and Ashta Bairavar can be found and worshipped in Kasi as it is extremely beneficial. For south Indian people, travelling to Kasi is not that easy. For those who want to worship Ashta Bairavar in one place in South India, the visit the temple is called Kamanada Eswarar temple. It is situated in Aragalur, near Thalaivasal in Salem district of Tamilnadu.















This temple prime deity is Sri Kamanada Eswarar. This Temple is famous for its Ashta Bhairavar Icons. Geographical Position of this Temple is 11.562717°N 78.788238°E.
















Legends
Kameshwara temple stala Purana indicates that the Kamadeva woke up Siva at this place. There is a village named Kaamakkaapaliyam in this locality. Saint Vashista, is believed to have worshipped the Shiva Linga here.














History
Sri Kamanada Eswarar temple was built prior to 1206 CE and hosts many Epigraphs of historic & Archaeological importance and it is maintained by Tamil Nadu Government Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments ministry. The epigraphs were collected by the British Raj in 1931CE and numbered it 408 - 455. Bhairava pooja here is recent phenomena - since September 17, 1993CE, and it is getting very popular and the village bustles with transient business.












Temple Speciality
On the day before Panguni Uthiram, morning sun-ray directly falls on the Lingam and is worshiped at this time by small number of traditional local families. This next occurs on April 12, 2014 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM IST.














The Temple
The vimana is of 3 levels and it has Temple tank though dry for most part of the year. Kapala Bhairavar is located on the gopuram. There is a shrine for Gajalakshmi - Lakshmi with 2 elephants on either side in this temple.













Bhishma Bhairavar has his own open shrine outside the central temple. There is a shrine dedicated to Lord Vinayaga in this Temple. Beautiful Nandhi facing the Kamanada Eswarar can also be seen in this Temple. Ancient Kodimaram can also be seen in this Temple.










Ashta Bhairavar Icons installed at Aragalur are:
·        Asitanga
·        Kala
·        Kapala
·        Krodha
·        Rudra
·        Ruru
·        Samhara
·        Unmatta
Following Idols of Nayanmars can be found in this Temple;
·        Manickavasagar
·        Sundaramoorthy
·        Thirugnanasambanthar
·        Thirunavukarasar
Temple Opening Time
·        Morning:   05.00 AM – 12.30 P.M
·        Evening:   04.00 PM – 09.30 P.M 
Pooja Timings
·        Kalasanthi Pooja – 07.30 A.M
·        Uchikala Pooja – 11.00 A.M
·        Sayaratchai Pooja – 04.30 P.M
·        Ardhajama Pooja – 09.00 P.M
Festivals
Bhairavar puja is celebrated in a grand way at the Sri Kamanada Eswarar temple on the 8th day after the new day (Ashtami) at midnight. This is probably the only temple having like this Bairavar pooja in Tamil Nadu.
Aarudhra Dharisanam is celebrated in December each year (Tamil month of Margazhi on Thiruvathirai). Every ashtami after full moon special pooja is done at midnight in aaragalur.People worship ashtabairavar here for all problems to get easy remedy.
Nearby Temples
Subrahmanyan Temple in the Market Street (Kadai Veedhi) celebrates Soora Samharam every year on the 6th day of Karthika lunar Tamil month.
Ambairamman Temple (11.571147°N 78.788109°E) is located on the banks of Vasishta Nadi, has 2 Vinayakars that's unusual feature in this Temple.
Temple Cars
They are Donated by Eramanchi Tulukanna Nayaka 1518 under Vijayanagara Empire ruler Krishnadevaraya) in ruins - not maintained. The art work is brilliant even in the current condition.
Connectivity
Aragalur is located at a distance of 7 kms from Thalaivasal. It is located at a distance of 75 kms from district headquarters Salem. Mini buses are available from Thalaivasal. Nearest Railway Station is located at Attur & Salem & Nearest Airport is located at Trichy & Coimbatore.
References