Kayarohaneswarar Temple,
Pillaiyarpalayam – The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Lord Shiva being worshiped by Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu flanked by Mother Parvathy and Guru Bhagavan. Nandi made of stucco can be seen outside the temple premises, facing the sanctum before the entrance arch. There is a three tiered Rajagopuram after the entrance arch.
Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram facing the Sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Ardha Mandapam. Nataraja can be seen in Ardha Mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Kayarohaneswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Somaskanda panel flanked by Brahma and Vishnu can be seen behind the Lingam on the rear wall.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. The vimana, structure over the sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. Mother is called as Kamalambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.
There is a separate west facing shrine for Guru in the temple premises. This Shrine houses Guru in worshipping posture (Anjali posture). This temple is considered as a Guru Parihara Sthalam. There is also another shrine for Guru in this temple. This Shrine houses a stucco idol of Guru in its shrine.
There is an east facing shrine for Lingabeswarar in the prakaram near compound wall. This Shrine consists of Sanctum and a four pillared Mukha Mandapam. Nandi can be found in the Mukha Mandapam facing the sanctum. This shrine houses Lingabeswarar in Lingam form. This Shrine is also called as Lingabesam.
It is believed that Bhairavi, a sect of sages worshipped this Linga with utmost reverence. There are shrines for Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Karpaga Vinayagar, Suryan, Bhairava, Mahalakshmi, Navagrahas, Nalvar, Maviratha Lingas (6 Lingas), Nagas, Chandran, Ashta Lakshmi and Balamurugan in the temple premises.
Theertham associated with this Temple is Kayarohana Theertham / Thayar Kulam. This Theertham finds mention in Kanchi Puranam. It further states that those who take bath in this Theertham will be blessed with wealth and wisdom. There is a temple for Dharma Lingeswarar / Yama Dharmeswarar on the western bank of Kaya Rohana Theertham. It is said that Lord Yama installed this Linga.
