Keelappoothanur Kailasanathar Shiva Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Keelappoothanur Kailasanathar Shiva Temple, Keelappoothanur, Nagai Circle, Nagapattinam District,

Diety

Kailasanathar Amman: Kamatchi

Introduction

Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Keelappoothanur village, Nagai circle, Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu. The village is located 2 km south of Tiruchengadangudi. Here the presiding deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Kamatchi. The east facing Shiva temple is completely new. But the temple sanctum has been left unfinished. In the south side is large pond. Lord Kailasanathar is towards the east and Goddess Kamatchi is towards the south. Nandi has a separate sanctum outside the hall. In the sanctum sanctorum is Ganesha Thenmugan Linkodpavar Durga. In the northeast the Bairavar, Sun is in a separate Sanctums. Both Ganesha and Murugan have separate shrines.

Puranic Significance

Poothanur, also known as Keelappoothanur, is a town that was gifted land during the Chola period. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. There was a poor man named Poothamangalam near Thiruvarur. His son Karunakaran. After Poothamangalam’s death, a man who knew by his magical power that the boy Karunakaran would be rich came and asked Karunakaran for a lakh of gold. Karunakaran laughed and said that he was asking for one lakh gold from me who did not even have a penny. After talking about the giant who was waiting for wealth for Karunakaran, Karunakaran got gold from Kadarangondan and became rich. He donated great wealth to the Thiruvarur Shiva Temple. Keelappoothanur is the place where this poor man lived. The town is presently known as Melappoothanur and Keelappothanur and there are Shiva temples in both the towns.

“With the kind permission of Sri Kadambur K. Vijayan, these are extracted from his posts”.