Arthanareeswarar
Temple, Veeracholapuram,
Kallakurichi
Arthanareeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Veeracholapuram Village near Kallakurichi Town in Kallakurichi Taluk in Kallakurichi District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Arthanareeswarar and Mother is called as Anubhambikai. The Temple is situated on the banks of Manimutharu River. The Temple is believed to be built during 12th Century AD by Cholas. The Temple conducts one Kaala Pooja and follows Kameega Agama.
Legends
Mallikarjunapuram:
Once,
a Chola King went to Kasi and various sacred places to immerse his father ashes
in the rivers in those places. Finally, he decided to immerse the remaining
ashes in Manimutharu River here. He stayed near the river bank in the night.
When he woke up in the morning, he was amazed to witness the ashes got turned
into jasmine flower. Hence, the village was named Mallikarjunapuram and the
temple was built on the river bank as per the inscriptions available in the
Temple.
Veera
Cholapuram:
Due to
the poetess Avvaiyar efforts and the goodwill she earned from the
kings, the triumvirate of ancient Tamil Nadu, the Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras
attended the weddings of Angavai and Sangavai (the daughters of noted
Tamil philanthropist and King Pari Vallal). It is believed that Chola King
stayed here during their marriage. Hence, the place came to be called as Veera
Cholapuram.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an unfinished Rajagopuram on the southern side. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen facing the sanctum through window. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Arthanareeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Anubhambikai. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. Nandi, Balipeedam and trisula can be seen facing her shrine. There is a Theertha well in front of her shrine. There are shrines of Vinayaga, Muruga, Surya Narayana Moorthy and Bhairava in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwam tree.
Temple Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 10.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Pooja Timings
·
Kaala Santhi (08.00 AM)
·
Sayaratchai (06.00 PM)
Festivals
Masi
Magam, Aani Thirumanjanam, Navaratri, Deepawali, Thiru Karthigai,
Thiruvadhirai, Maha Shivarathri and Panguni Uthiram are the festivals
celebrated here. Monthly pradoshams are also observed here.
Prayers
The
Temple is considered as Mukthi sthalam as the Lord offers salvation to those
who worship him here sincerely.
Connectivity
The Temple
is located at about 7 Kms from Thiyagadurgam, 9 Kms from Kallakurichi Bus
Stand, 10 Kms from Kallakurichi, 25 Kms from Chinna Salem Railway Station, 33
Kms from Ulundurpet and 148 Kms from Trichy Airport. The temple is situated on
Salem to Ulundurpet Route. There are bus facilities available from Kallakurichi
to this Temple.