Kailasanathar Temple, Narthampoondi, Thiruvannamalai
Kailasanathar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Narthampoondi Village in
Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar
and Mother is called as Periyanayaki.
Legends
Sapthakarai Kantangal & Sapthakailasas:
Mother
Uma was proceeding to Thiruvannamalai from Kancheepuram with the view of
getting the left part of Lord Shiva. She stayed in a place called Vazhai Pandal
and searched for a Shivalinga for puja. She could not get one. Mother Uma
decided to make one with sand and asked Muruga to provide her water to make the
Linga. Lord Muruga threw his Vel towards the west and water came in red colour
from the hills there. Seven Munis – Puthirandan, Puruhudan, Pandurangan,
Bodhavan, Bodhan, Koman and Vaman – who were performing penance there were
injured; hence the water was red with their blood.
Meantime,
due to the touch of Muruga’s Vel, they were relieved of the curses they were undergoing
then. Mother Uma made the Linga and worshipped. But Lord Muruga had to bear the
sin of killing the seven Munis. As directed by Mother Uma, Lord Muruga
established seven temples on the northern bank of Cheyyar and seven on the
southern bank of the river. Kancheepuram, Kadaladi, Mambakkam, Madhimangalam.
Elathur, Poondi and Kuruvimalai on the northern bank were called as Sapthakarai
Kantangal. Thamaraipakkam, Vasudevampattu, Narthampoondi, Thenpandripattu,
Pazhangovil, Karapoondi and Mandakulathur on the southern bank were called as Sapthakailasas.
Sage Narada worshipped Shiva here:
This Temple
is one of the seven Kailasa temples worshipped by Rishi Narada. The temple in
Narthampoondi worshipped by Muni Naradha is the third in the line. This temple
is mentioned in Skanda Mahapurana. King Daksha, known for his enmity with
Shiva, wanted to develop his three sons equal to him but Narada imparted Shiva
Upadesha to the sons and made them good. Angry Daksha cursed Narada as he
presented his sons to come his way.
Muni
Narada performed penance for 12 years in Narthampoondi on Sri Kailasanatha.
Lord Shiva appeared on his Vrishaba (bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) with his
Panchamurtis and relieved Narada of his curse. Narada also was elevated as the
head of the rishis. The place was known in early days Naradhapoondi after Muni
Narada and in the days followed the name changed to Narthampoondi.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki. The
Kailasanatha Temple was built by Sambuvaraya and Vallala kings and maintained
by Vijayanagara kings. Of the various shrines where Lord Muruga worshipped Lord
Shiva for relief of his doshas (some adverse aspects), this is also an important
temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Brahmotsavam,
Krithigai in November-December, Masi Magam in February-March, are the festivals
celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees
seek removal of obstacles in marriage alliances, child boon and distinction in
education through their prayers to the Lord. Devotees offer abishek and vastras
(clothing) to the Lord.
Connectivity
The
visitor has to take the bus to Polur from Thiruvannamalai, get down at the
Naidumangalam junction bus stop and then proceed to Narthampoondi by another
bus. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruvannamalai and Nearest Airport
is located at Chennai.