Keezhvelur Kediliappar Temple, Thiruvarur
Keezhvelur Kediliappar Temple is a Hindu
temple located at
Keezhvelur in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The historical name of the place is Keevalur. The
temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as
Kediliappar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Vaana Mulai Amman. This Shivastalam is a
Maadakovil built at an elevation by Kochengata Cholan and is located half way
in between Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur. As there were many places called Velur, as this place
is on the east, it is named Keezha Velur.
The hillock is known as Chitrakootagiri. It is one of
the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanmars Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar. This is the 201st
Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 84th Sthalam on the south
side of River Cauvery in Chozha Naadu.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
The temple is built at an elevation on the hillock known
as Chitrakootagiri. The temple has main Raja Gopuram of Seven tiers and two prakaram. Main Deity is
Swayambu Lingam known as Kediliappar / Akshaya Linga Swamy. Moolavar baanam is
small and Avudayar is big. The Vimanam is built with stone. His consort is known
as Vanamulai Amman / Sundara Gujambal. Here Goddess sculpture is made of
mortar, so there is no abishekam for Ambal. Mother is located in a separate
shrine.
Theerthams of this temple are Agni, Brahma, Saravana
Poigai, Soorya, Chandra and Kubera Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Pathiri and
Ilandai. A grand Rajagopuram with stucco figures and majestic walls adorn the
shrine. The Aniyottikkal Mandapam, the Mahamandapam have beautiful images of
lions, Yalis. Inscriptions from the Chola period and the Maratha period are
seen in this temple. Sri Vinayaka of the temple is worshipped as Lord Badri
Vinayaka.
The image of Nataraja here is of great beauty and it
dates back to the 18th century. Here Natarajar is seen standing with his left
leg and his right one is lifted above with ten hands giving his blessings to
Agastya Muni. The Navagrahams are in a single file as in Tiruvarur nearby. 12th Century Chola inscriptions are
seen in this temple and several literary works glorify this shrine. This shrine
has been glorified by Muthuswamy Dheekshidhar’s krithi Akshaya Linga Vibho in
the raga Sankarabharanam.
In the outer prakaram, there are shrines for Lords
Muruga, Nataraja, Somaskanda, Dakshinamurthy, Viswanatha, Kailasanathar, Brihadeeswarar,
Annamalaiyar, Jambukeswarar, Maha Lakshmi, Indiran, Narthana Vinayaga, Kalyana
Sundarar, Sundara Vinayakar, Anjuvattammai, Venkatachalapati, Agasthya lingam
under the Sthala Vriksham, Kuberan in the Amman shrine Kailasanathar,
Bhadrakali, Sage Agasthya, Ekambareswarar, Chozheeswarar, Kalahasteeswarar and
Aalunkoveswarar (In the form of Palipeedam).
The shrines for Lord Muruga and Kubera the Lord of
Wealth are big in size separately. In the Thyagarajar Sannadhi
Vimanam, Dhakshinamoorthy depicted as Veena Dhakshinamoorthy in sitting
posture. Sudhai Nandhi is very big under a mandapam. Kaali is of
Sudhai, hence only Punugu and sambarani thailam is applied. The Anju
Vattathu Amman Koil here is very famous among devotees. The Shiva Linga
worshipped by Sage Agasthya is also in the temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from
5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Festivals
Six worship services are offered each day. The annual Brahmmotsavam
is celebrated in the month of Chittirai, when the Rishabha vaahana Utsavam and
the Sapta Stana Utsavam assume significance.
Singers
Tirugnanasambandar and Appar have sung hymns in praise
of Lord Shiva of this temple. This is the 201st Devaram Paadal Petra
Shiva Sthalam and 84th Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in
Chozha Nadu.
Prayers
People pray to cleanse themselves of sins and adverse
aspects of spirits. Realizing their wishes, devotees contribute what they could
for the renovation of the temple.
Contact
Sri Kediliappar - Akshaya Linga Swamy Temple,
Keezh Velur – 611 104,
Thiruvarur District
Phone: +91 – 4366 – 276
733
Connectivity
This Temple is located at about 13 Kms from Thiruvarur,
13 Kms from Nagapattinam, 5 Kms from Thirukkanangudi, 8 Kms from Sikkal and 130
Kms from Trichy. The Temple is located on Thiruvarur – Nagapattinam route via
Sikkal on NH 67 Road. Nearest Railway Station is Kivelur Railway Station
located at about 2 Kms from the Temple. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.