Kailasanathar Temple, Rasipuram – The Temple

Kailasanathar Temple, Rasipuram – The Temple

This temple is facing towards west with five tiered rajagopuram. There is a mukha mandapam in front of the rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Dwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the rajagopuram in the mukha mandapam, facing towards the sanctum. Presiding deity is called as Kailasanathar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The Lingam is said to have a scar mark caused by an arrow. Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava and Shiva Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. The temple has a procession deity for Lord Dakshinamurthy with four disciples. Mother is called as Aram Valartha Nayaki / Dharma Samvardhini. She is housed in a separate west facing shrine.

There is a Maha Meru Chakra in front of her shrine. There is a shrine for Vinayaga called Vikata Chakra Vinayaka in the temple premises. He has a rudraksha chain in his hand, made of a single stone. There are two shrines for Murugan in this temple. They are Bala Dhandayuthapani and Kalyana Subramanya shrines. He is gracing the devotees with his consorts Valli & Devasena in the Kalyana Subramanya shrine.

Lord Murugan of this temple is praised in the Thirupugazh hymns of 15^th century saint Arunagirinathar. Both the shrines are located close to the Aram Valartha Nayaki shrine. There is a separate shrine for Veerabhadra with Nandhi before him in the temple premises. There is a separate shrine for Valvil Ori under the Vanni tree in the prakaram. He is in a worshipping form with a sword in the hip.

Shrines of Gajalakshmi, Saraswathi, Ayyappan, 63 Nayanmars, Santhana Kuravars, Kasi Viswanathar with his consort Visalakshi, Ramanatha Swamy with his consort Parvata Vardhini, Panchalingas, Kala Bhairava, Saneeswarar and Nagas can be seen in the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Nelli Tree. Theertham associated with this temple is Sivaganga theertham. It is situated in the prakaram. It is believed that there is a secret path to the Arapaleeswarar Temple, situated at top of Kolli hills from this temple.