Kailasanathar Temple, Thirumanur, Ariyalur

Kailasanathar Temple, Thirumanur, Ariyalur

Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirumanur Town in Thirumanur Taluk in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. The Temple is situated on the northern banks of Kollidam River.

History

The Temple was built by Chembian Maadevi, grandmother of Rajaraja Chola and mother of Uthama Chola.  The Temple was extensively renovated by Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kings, Nayakkars and Udayarpalayam Zamin. Thirumanur was called as Thiyagavinothana Atrur in ancient times.

The Temple

The Temple covers an area of about 2.5 acres. This is an east facing temple with two prakarams. The Temple has entrances at east and south. The southern entrance is having three tiered Rajagopuram and is the frequently used entrance. The eastern entrance is without Rajagopuram. The entrance arch has stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvathy on Rishaba flanked by Lord Vinayaga and Muruga.

Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Dakshinamoorthy, Vinayagar, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Kamakshi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.

Shrines and idols of Vinayagar, Somaskandar, Nataraja, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Chandikeswarar, Mahalakshmi, Kasi Viswanathar, Vaidyanathar with a Nandi facing towards him and Jyestha Devi along with Saya Devi & Varahi Devi can be found in the inner prakaram. There is a big Vilwa Tree in the outer prakaram on the eastern side.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 200 meters from Thirumanur Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 9 Kms from Thirumazhaipadi, 14 Kms from Pazhuvur, 19 Kms from Kallagam Railway Station, 26 Kms from Ariyalur, 26 Kms from Ariyalur Railway Station and 64 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on the northern banks of Kollidam River on Kilpaluvur – Thiruvaiyaru Route.

Location

Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar Temple, Thirukalappur, Ariyalur

Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar Temple, Thirukalappur, Ariyalur

Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirukalappur Village near Andimadam Town in Udayarpalayam Taluk in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar / Thirukodi Vanantheeswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi / Shivagami. This Temple is considered as one among the Pancha Bhooda Sthalams located around Andimadam.

Legends

Pancha Bhoodha Sthalams around Andimadam:

It is believed that Sage Agastya installed and worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. Sage Agastya constructed five Shiva Temples around Andimadam representing Pancha Bhoodas. This Temple is considered as one among them and represents Sky element. Hence, the temple is also called as Mela Chidambaram. The Shiva Temples linked to this Pancha Bootha Sthalams are;

·        Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar Temple, Thirukalappur

·        Mela Agastheeswarar Temple, Andimadam

·        Shiva Lingeswarar Temple, Sivalingapuram

·        Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, Koovathur

·        Azhakeswarar Temple, Azhagapuram

Purusha Mriga worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple:

It is believed Purusha Mriga worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple.

History

The Temple was believed to be built by Cholas. The Temple was extensively renovated by Nayakkar Rulers. The Temple was renovated, and re-consecration ceremony was held on 25.10.2019.

The Temple

This is an east facing Temple without Rajagopuram. It has a foundation entrance arch to hold a mighty Rajagopuram. Nandi housed in Nandi Mandapam and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the entrance arch. Two Vinayaga idols can be found at the entrance of the Mukha Mandapam.

Presiding Deity is called as Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar / Thirukodi Vanantheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Dakshinamoorthy can be found on the Koshta of the sanctum. Mother is called as Kamakshi / Shivagami. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.

There is a unique Saraswathi idol at the entrance of the sanctum. She is called as Gnana Saraswathi. She is seen here without her traditional Veena. She is facing east. She is sitting in Padma Asana posture and is four armed. She is holding book in her lower left hand, showing Chin Mudra in lower right hand, holding Amrita Kalasa in her upper left hand and holding Akshara Mala in her upper right hand.

There is a separate south facing shrine for Lord Nataraja in the temple premises. Shrines and idols of Vinayaga, Few Lingas, Jyestha Devi, and Sattanathar can be found in the temple premises. There is a sculpture of Purusha Mriga worshipping Shiva Linga can be seen on the compound wall. There is also an inscription etched on this wall.

Prayers

Students, Teachers, Accountants, Singers, Priests, people with memory ailments and Astrologers pray to Goddess Saraswathi here for their benefits.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Thirukalappur Bus Stop, 8 Kms from Kaduvetti, 12 Kms from Andimadam, 13 Kms from Srimushnam, 16 Kms from Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 17 Kms from Jayamkondam, 25 Kms from Udayarpalayam, 40 Kms from Sendurai Railway Station, 43 Kms from Chidambaram, 53 Kms from Ariyalur, 55 Kms from Ariyalur Railway Station and 147 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Andimadam to Kaduvetti Route.

Location

Shiva Lingeswarar Temple, Sivalingapuram, Ariyalur

Shiva Lingeswarar Temple, Sivalingapuram, Ariyalur

Shiva Lingeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Sivalingapuram Village near Andimadam in Udayarpalayam Taluk in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple has been lost completely. Only the Lingam remains. The Lingam is housed under a shed. This Temple is considered as one among the Pancha Bhooda Sthalams located around Andimadam.

Legends

It is believed that Sage Agastya installed and worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. Sage Agastya constructed five Shiva Temples around Andimadam representing Pancha Bhoodas. This Temple is considered as one among them. The Shiva Temples linked to this Pancha Bootha Sthalams are;

·        Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar Temple, Thirukalappur

·        Mela Agastheeswarar Temple, Andimadam

·        Shiva Lingeswarar Temple, Sivalingapuram

·        Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, Koovathur

·        Azhakeswarar Temple, Azhagapuram

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Andimadam, 2 Kms from Andimadam Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Srimushnam, 25 Kms from Virudhachalam, 27 Kms from Virudhachalam Junction Railway Station, 17 Kms from Jayamkondam, 25 Kms from Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 48 Kms from Ariyalur and 148 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Jayamkondan to Virudhachalam Route close to Andimadam in Andimadam to Kodukkur Route.

Location

Mela Agastheeswarar Temple, Andimadam, Ariyalur

Mela Agastheeswarar Temple, Andimadam, Ariyalur

Mela Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Andimadam Town in Udayarpalayam Taluk in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini. This Temple is considered as one among the Pancha Bhooda Sthalams located around Andimadam. The Temple is believed to be built during 11^th Century by Chola Kings.

Legends

Pancha Bhoodha Sthalams around Andimadam:

It is believed that Sage Agastya installed and worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. Sage Agastya constructed five Shiva Temples around Andimadam representing Pancha Bhoodas. This Temple is considered as one among them. The Shiva Temples linked to this Pancha Bootha Sthalams are;

·        Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar Temple, Thirukalappur

·        Mela Agastheeswarar Temple, Andimadam

·        Shiva Lingeswarar Temple, Sivalingapuram

·        Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, Koovathur

·        Azhakeswarar Temple, Azhagapuram

Vilandhai:

The place was abounded with Vilwa trees. Hence, the place came to be called as Vilandhai.

Andimadam:

Sage Agastya stayed and ran a Madam here. Hence, the place came to be called as Andimadam.

The Temple

The Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after Rajagopuram facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Shrines of Vinayaga and Muruga can be found a he entrance of the Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, 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 Dharmasamvardhini. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam. There are shrines for Garudazhwar, Srinivasa Perumal, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Vinayaga and Murugan in the temple premises. The Temple Pond is situated in front of the temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Andimadam Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Srimushnam, 15 Kms from Jayamkondan, 16 Kms from Kaduvetti, 23 Kms from Udayarpalayam, 24 Kms from Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 24 Kms from Virudhachalam, 26 Kms from Virudhachalam Junction Railway Station, 50 Kms from Ariyalur and 147 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Andimadam to Kaduvetti Route.

Location

Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, Koovathur, Ariyalur

Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, Koovathur, Ariyalur

Vishwanatha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Koovathur Village near Andimadam in Udayarpalayam Taluk in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vishwanatha Swamy and Mother is called as Visalakshi. This Temple is considered as one among the Pancha Bhooda Sthalams located around Andimadam.

Legends

It is believed that Sage Agastya installed and worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. Sage Agastya constructed five Shiva Temples around Andimadam representing Pancha Bhoodas. This Temple is considered as one among them. The Shiva Temples linked to this Pancha Bootha Sthalams are;

·        Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar Temple, Thirukalappur

·        Mela Agastheeswarar Temple, Andimadam

·        Shiva Lingeswarar Temple, Sivalingapuram

·        Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, Koovathur

·        Azhakeswarar Temple, Azhagapuram

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The Temple is built with laterite stones. The Temple is in complete ruins. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. The roofs of the sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam were lost. Presiding Deity is called as Azhakeswarar and is east facing.

He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Mother is called as Visalakshi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There are shrines for Vinayagar and Murugan in the temple premises. The idols in these shrines were lost. Heads of Nandi, Visalakshi and Dakshinamoorthy were broken off by miscreants.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Andimadam Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Andimadam, 13 Kms from Srimushnam, 27 Kms from Virudhachalam, 30 Kms from Virudhachalam Junction Railway Station, 11 Kms from Jayamkondam, 20 Kms from Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 47 Kms from Ariyalur and 143 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Jayamkondan to Virudhachalam Route after Andimadam. The Temple is situated inside Government ITI, Andimadam. It is located to the south western corner of the ITI Campus.

Location

Azhakeswarar Temple, Azhagapuram, Ariyalur

Azhakeswarar Temple, Azhagapuram, Ariyalur

Azhakeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Azhagapuram Village near Andimadam in Udayarpalayam Taluk in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Azhakeswarar and Mother is called as Azhagammai. This Temple is considered as one among the Pancha Bhooda Sthalams located around Andimadam.

Legends

It is believed that Sage Agastya installed and worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. Sage Agastya constructed five Shiva Temples around Andimadam representing Pancha Bhoodas. This Temple is considered as one among them. The Shiva Temples linked to this Pancha Bootha Sthalams are;

·        Thirukodi Vanatheeswarar Temple, Thirukalappur

·        Mela Agastheeswarar Temple, Andimadam

·        Shiva Lingeswarar Temple, Sivalingapuram

·        Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, Koovathur

·        Azhakeswarar Temple, Azhagapuram

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The Temple is built with laterite stones.  Nandi housed in a Mandapam and Balipeedam can be seen facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Azhakeswarar and is east facing. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

The Vimana over the sanctum is of two tiers. Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Kosha idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Azhagammai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the Maha Mandapam. There is s shrine for Lord Vinayaga in the north east corner of the temple premises.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 100 meters from Azhagapuram Bus Stop, 8 Kms from Andimadam Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Andimadam, 12 Kms from Srimushnam, 16 Kms from Pennadam Railway Station, 19 Kms from Virudhachalam, 21 Kms from Virudhachalam Junction Railway Station, 22 Kms from Jayamkondam, 31 Kms from Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 47 Kms from Ariyalur and 148 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Jayamkondan to Virudhachalam Route after Andimadam.

Location

Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Keezha Pazhuvur, Ariyalur

Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Keezha Pazhuvur, Ariyalur

Srinivasa Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Keezha Pazhuvur Village in Ariyalur Taluk in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Srinivasa Perumal. He is housed in the sanctum flanked by his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Utsavar Deity is called as Azhagiya Manavala Perumal. The place is part of the ancient settlement of Perumpazhuvur ruled over by Pazhuvettaraiyar chieftains who had connections with the Chera clan.

Pazhuvur region has four Shiva Temple complexes from the times of the Pazhuvettaraiyars and the Chola kings. This clan was ruling the area under the bigger umbrella of the Chola Empire. The Pazhuvur Temples can be found in three sectors called Keezha Pazhuvur (lower area on the east), Mela Pazhuvur (upper area on the west) and Keezhaiyur.

The Temple is located at about 600 meters Kizhappazhuvur Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Mela Pazhuvur, 13 Kms from Ariyalur, 13 Kms from Ariyalur Railway Station, 14 Kms from Thirumanur, 20 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 32 Kms from Thanjavur, 47 Kms from Kumbakonam, 49 Kms from Gangaikonda Cholapuram and 66 Kms from Trichy Airport. Keezha Pazhuvur is located in the Trichy – Ariyalur route leading to the ancient Chola capital of Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

Location