Ariyanayagipuram Kailasanathar Temple, Tirunelveli

Address

Ariyanayagipuram Kailasanathar Temple, Tirunelveli

Ariyanayagipuram,

Tirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu– 627603.

Moolavar

Kailasanathar

Amman

 Ariyanayaki

Introduction

• Deity: Lord Shiva (Kailasanathar) and Goddess Ariyanayaki.
• Location: Ariyanayagipuram village, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, situated 1 km from the Tirunelveli highway and opposite the bus stand.

Puranic Significance:

• Historical Background: The temple was built during the reign of Maravarman Kulasekhara Pandyan I (1268-1318 AD).
  • The region was called Mullinadu during the Pandya dynasty.
  • Ariyanatha Mudaliar, the Delavoy (General) and Chief Minister under Viswanatha Nayak (1529–64), made repairs and improvements to the temple, which was originally known as Kailasapuram Kulasekaranallur.
  • Ariyanatha Mudaliar was a patron of Vedic scholars and spread dharma. In recognition, the goddess was named Ariyanayaki, and the town became Ariyanayagipuram.
• The Story of Bhairava:
  • Shankaran and his wife Malika faced hardship due to childlessness. Malika married her younger sister Indumati to her husband as a second wife.
  • Indumati, with pure devotion to Shiva, created and worshipped 108 lingams every day. Shiva blessed her with a child, whom they named Sugan.
  • Envious forces attacked and drowned Sugan in the river. Indumati’s father-in-law, Lord Manamarangya, instructed Bhairava to bring the child back.
  • By Bhairava’s grace, Sugan was revived and returned home, restoring harmony and happiness to the family and the village.

Special Features:

• Theerthas:
  • Surya Pushkarani Theertha Pond with Neerazhi Mandapam at the entrance.
  • Bhairava Theertha commemorates the Bhairava event at the banks of the Tamirabarani River.
  • Kapila Theertha well surrounds the temple.
• Temple Layout:
  • The temple has several mandapams: Asthana Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam, and the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  • The presiding deity Kailasanathar is enshrined as a linga in the sanctum.
• Other Shrines:
  • Nandi, Surya, Seven Saptha Kanniyar, Sekizhar, 63 Nayanmars, Kannimoolai Ganapati, Valli Deivanai Sametha Subramanyar, Sandikeswarar, Saneeswarar, and Kala Bhairava have individual shrines.
  • A Tirumalikai-style mandapam encircles the temple, and the Nandavanam (garden) is full of blossoming greenery.

Festivals:

• Special Festivals:
  • Abhishekam, Thaipusam, Panguni Uttaram, Vaikasi Visagam are celebrated with grandeur.

Century/Period

Maravarman Kulasekhara Pandyan I (1268-1318 AD).

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Ariyanayagipuram

Nearest Railway Station

Tirunelveli

Nearest Airport

Thoothukudi

Location on Map

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