Arapaleeswarar Temple, Kolli Hills – The Temple

Arapaleeswarar Temple, Kolli Hills – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Sambandar and Appar. The entire temple is enclosed within compound walls. Stucco images of 18 Siddhars of Tamil tradition can be seen along the top of the compound wall. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the entrance arch.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala and maha mandapam.  Presiding deity is called as Arapaleeswarar / Arapalli Mahadevar / Arapalli Udaiyar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The scar caused by the plough injury is still visible on the head part of the Shiva Lingam. 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 Aram Valartha Nayagi / Thayammai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in maha mandapam on the right side. Her shrine consists of sanctum and mukha mandapam. She is in standing posture. The ceiling of the mukha mandapa of her shrine has a carving Sri Chakra Yantra surrounded by Ashta Lakshmis.

There is a north facing shrine for Lord Arumugam can be seen in the southern prakaram. His shrine is facing towards her mother shrine. He is gracing the devotees in his peacock mount along with his consorts Valli & Devasena. Lord Murugan of this temple is praised in Thirupugazh hymns of Saint Arunagirinathar. Shrines of Vinayaga, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Jyestha Devi can be seen in the western prakaram.

Shrine of Navagrahas can be seen in the north east corner of the prakaram. Shrines of Kala Bhairavar, Suryan and Chandran can be seen in the eastern prakaram. The temple is constructed in such a way that the devotees can enjoy the darshan of Lord Arapaleeswarar, Mother Aram Valartha Nayagi, Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga from one spot in the prakaram.

Sthala Vriksham is Maha Vilwam. It is situated on the southern prakaram close to the koshta idol of Dakshinamoorthy. Theertham associated with this temple is Pancha Nadhi. It is said that the hill streams in Kollimalai never dry up even if there is no rain. It is also believed that a secret path connects Arapaleeswarar Temple to the Kailasanathar Temple in Rasipuram, 60 Kms away by road.