Arasaleeswarar Temple, Thiru Arasili – The Temple
This temple has a small main tower (Rajagopuram) and a
single corridor. The Rajagopuram of the temple has a 3-tier structure. It is
east facing and is believed to have been built by the
kings of Chalukyas. Presiding Deity is called as Arasaleeswarar / Arasili
Naathar / Ashwatheswarar and is facing east. Lord Shiva’s lingam in this temple
is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested) and is very small in size. Lord
graces the devotees under a Rudraksha (108 beads) Pandal – tent.
The arrow scar on the Linga is still visible. Both as a
mark of respect to the Lord and as if to cover the scar injury, a turban is
tied on the Linga during the pujas. Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma,
Vishnu Durgai and Vaishnavi are the niche idols around the sanctum.
Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are facing the sanctum through a window. The Vinayaka
of this temple is known as Varasiddhi Vinayaka.
Lord Dakshinamurthy portrayal is somewhat different in
this temple. The demon “Muyalagan” under Lord Dakshinamurthy feet is mostly
depicted as facing the right side. However, in this temple he is facing left.
Another unique feature of this shrine is that above Dakshinamurthy idol, there
is a Natarajar sculpture in the “Ananda Thandavam” pose. It is said that Lord
Dakshinamurthy symbolizes Peace and Lord Nataraja Bliss telling mankind that
they have to practice Ananda-bliss through Silence-Peaceful state of mind.
It is a rare portrayal of Lord Shiva’s Upadesa as
Dakshinamurthy combined with the bliss embodied in Lord Nataraja. Lord
Mahavishnu graces on the ghoshta-wall around the sanctum sanctorum facing
west. Mother is called as Periya Nayaki / Azhagiya Nayagi and is facing
south. She is housed in separate shrine with Simha Vahana. Shrines for Lord Varasiddhi
Vinayakar, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Deivayanai, Lord Brahma,
Sun God, Vishnu Durgai, Vaishnavi, Kala Bhairavar, Chandikeswarar, Nalvar and
Navagraham can be seen in the corridor.
There are lot of stucco images and paintings around the
entrance and prakaram walls. Theertham associated with this Temple are Arasili
Theertham and Vamadeva Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Peepal Tree (Arasa). There
are many old Tamil inscriptions found around the sanctum walls. These Tamil
inscriptions belongs to Imperial Cholas and majority of them belongs to Vikrama
Chozha and Kulothunga Chozha. During their period this place was called as
“Oimanattu Thiruarasili” and “Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Oimanattu Vijaya
Rajendra Chozhavalanattu Peruvembur Nattu Thiruarasili”.
It is said that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar stayed here
for a few days and worshipped the lord. A mutt called the “Thirugnanasambanthar
Mutt” can be seen on the southern side of the temple. This Tirugnanasambandar
madam built by "Srimathi Jayalakshmi” on the left side of the temple and
seventh day’s festival is sponsored through the interest from a
deposit made by her.
