Kailasanathar Temple,
Periyakulam – The Temple
The Temple is situated on top of the Hills. The temple could be easily reached through steps or through the road. The temple is situated at 800 metres above sea level. The western Ghats form background for the temple. There is a rock cut shrine of Vellai Vinayaga and Chandra Lingam at the foot hills. The Temple is east facing with five tiered Rajagopuram.
Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum the form of Lingam. Sun Rays will fall on Linga on 1st of Chithirai yearly. Dwarakapalas are guarding the entrance of the sanctum. Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Vishnu Durga, Ganesha and Brahma are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be found in his usual location.
Mother is called as Periya Nayagi. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. Dwarakapalagis are guarding the entrance of the sanctum. Iccha Sakthi, Kriya Sakthi and Gnana Sakthi are the Koshta idols located around the Mother Shrine walls. There is an old sanctum of Mother Periyanayaki exists in the Temple.
There are shrines for Vinayaga, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Bhairavar, Chandran, Suryan and Navagrahas in the temple premises. Normally, Saptha Kannigais (Brahma, Maheshwari, Gowmari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi) used to be with Veerabhadirai and Vinayagi in temples. But in this Temple, Saptha Kannigais are accompanied by Dakshinamoorthy and Vinayaga.
The surrounding hills are called Navagraha Hills and circumambulation of these hills on the full moon days like the Giri Valam of Thiruvannamalai is believed to get relief from adverse planetary aspects. A nearby hill appears identical to Kailash Mountain. There are 18 caves in this hill and in the olden days, might have been used by the sages for meditation.
An old and long iron chain available in the hills shows that a big car was pulled around the hill about 500 years back. Many inscriptions were also found on this hill temple confirming its antiquity. Sthala Vriksham is Athi Tree and Theertham associated with this Temple is Kailasa Theertham.
