Semmalai Nathar Temple,
Keelaiyur, Nagapattinam
Semmalai Nathar Temple is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Keelaiyur Village in Kilvelur
Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Semmalai
Nathar / Arunachaleswarar and Mother is called as Vandamarum Poonkuzhalal. The
Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention
about this Temple. The place was called as Keezhayil during ancient times.
Also, the place was called as Arumozhi Theva Valanaattu Alanaattu Keezhaiyur as
per the inscriptions.
Legends
It is said that Pancha
pandavas stayed here and worshipped Lord Shiva during their exile. Also,
believed that five Lingas were installed by Pancha Pandavas and the main Lingam
was said to be installed by Arjuna.
The Temple
This is a small Temple with an
entrance arch. The Entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar, Vinayaga
and Lord Murugan. There is a big Nandi inside the Nandi Mandapam facing the
sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Semmalai Nathar / Arunachaleswarar. He is
housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Mother is called as Vandamarum
Poonkuzhalal. She is housed in a separate shrine in the prakaram. There are
shrines for Vinayaga, Subrahmanya with his consorts Valli & Devyani,
Bhairavar and Suryan in the Temple premises.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from
06.00 AM to 08.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Literary
Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about
this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7th Thirumurai in 12th
Patikam in 7th Song.
ஈழ நாட்டுமா தோட்டம்
தென்னாட் டிராமேச்சுரம்
சோழ நாட்டுத் துருத்திநெய்த்
தானந் திருமலை
ஆழி யூரன நாட்டுக்கெல்
லாம்அணி யாகிய
கீழை யில்லர னார்க்கிடங்
கிள்ளி குடியதே
Contact
Semmalai Nathar Temple,
Keelaiyur, Keelaiyur Post,
Nagapattinam District – 611
103
Mobile: +91 99438 52180
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
100 meters from Keelaiyur Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Thiruvaimur, 5 Kms from Karunganni,
7 Kms from Ettugudi, 19 Kms from Thiruthuraipoondi, 19 Kms from Thiruthuraipoondi
Railway Station, 24 Kms from Nagapattinam, 40 Kms from Vedaranyam and 142 Kms
from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Nagapattinam to Thiruthuraipoondi
Bus Route immediately after Karunganni. The Temple is situated at a walkable
distance from Keelaiyur Bus Stop.
Location