Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kiliyanur – The Temple
There is no flag post (Kodimaram)
or main tower (Rajagopuram) in this temple. This is a Rahu-Kedu parikara
Sthalam. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar. Lord Shiva in this
temple is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested). The moolavar looks rich with
Nagabaranam. Bikshadana, Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu (in Lingothbavar place),
Brahma and Durgai are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls.
Dwaraka Balagas located at the entrance of sanctum are looking without thandam /
kathai and round ring / thodu in ears.
Also, Vinayagar on the
left and Dhandayuthapani on the right can be seen at the entrance of the
sanctum. Mother is called as Akilandeswari. Ambal looks cute and beautiful, in
a separate Sannadhi facing east at the south side entrance of Maha mandapam.
The Ambal is in standing posture with hands in Abaya and Varada Hastha mudhra.
The Nandhi opposite to Ambal is little lower than the ground level. It is believed that Nandhi Devar is worshiping Ambal
during Maha Shiva Rathri.
There are 2 Bhairavar Sannidhis in this temple - Krotha
Bhairavar and Kaala Bhairavar. There is a Sannidhi for Sage Agasthya in this
temple. There are separate shrines for Maha Vinayagar, Gajalakshmi, Valli
Devasena samedha Arumugaswami, Navagrahas, Suryan and Chandran in the prakaram
of this Temple. The west arch place is used as vahana mandapam. The procession
idols (Urchavars) are kept somewhere else for safety reasons as they have been
stolen once and later recovered. Sthala Viruksham is Vanni Tree and Theertham
is Agni Theertham.
Old Tamil inscriptions are found throughout the wall of Karuvarai.
Most of them has no continuity. Some of the portions were damaged during
renovations. It is believed that the temple exists more than 1200 years. Once
it was a brick temple latter the same was re-constructed with stone. The
message of the inscriptions is mainly about the donations made for
conducting the regular pooja and burning of Nandha Deepam in front of moolavar.
