Ariyanayagipuram Kailasanathar Temple, Tirunelveli

Address

Ariyanayagipuram,

Tirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu– 627603.

Moolavar

Kailasanathar

Amman

Ariyanayaki

Introduction

Ariyanayagipuram Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Located in the Ariyanayagipuram village, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Here the Presiding deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Ariyanayaki. Ariyanayagipuram village is located at a distance of one kilometer from Tirunelveli highway and the temple is opposite the bus stand.

Puranic Significance

The Kailasanathar Temple was built here during the reign of Maravarman Kulasekhara Pandyan I (1268-1318 AD). The town was called Mullinadu during the Pandya region. Ariyanatha Mudaliar was the Delavoy (General) and the Chief Minister of the greatest of the Nayaka domains established by the Vijayanagar viceroy and later ruler of Madurai, Viswanatha Nayak (1529–64). He did a lot of repairs to the temple of this place which was originally called Kailasapuram Kulasekaranallur.

He made a dwelling place for those who had studied the Vedas and bestowed dharmas among them. As a result of this, the local people who were overwhelmed by this gave the name Ariyanayaki to Ambal in this Temple and Ariyanayagipuram to this town.

An incident of Bhairava:

Once upon a time a man named Shankaran lived happily with his wife in this area. Not having the privilege of childhood was a great disadvantage. Thus Malika married her younger sister Indumati to her husband as a second wife. Indumati’s pure devotion to Shiva. Every day on the way to fetch water from the river, she made 108 lingams and worshiped them soulfully. Touched by his pure devotion, the Lord gave him the boon of Child. She soon gave birth to a son and named the child Sugan.

Seeing good things happening in the family, the evil one who couldn’t bear it one day when he came to the bank of river Sugan, attacked him and threw him into the river. Sushila felt sorry because her husband did not return home for a long time, she realized that something terrible must have happened and immediately told her father-in-law. Lord Manamarangya ordered Bhairava to bring back his devotee’s son. Sugan, who was drowned in the river, came out by the grace of Bhairava and stood in front of his family. From that day all the villagers including the family started living here in harmony and happiness. This history is recorded in the temple.

Special Features

At the entrance of the temple there is a Surya Pushkarani Theertha Pond with Neerazhi Mandapam. The Bhairava Theertha is the epitome of the Thala Purana event on the banks of the Tamirabarani River. Around the temple there is a Theertha well called Kapila Theertha. After entering the main door, the Swami shrine is arranged as Asthana Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam, and Sanctum Sanctorum.

Kailasanathar has arisen as a linga in the sanctum sanctorum. Around the shrines of Nandi, Surya, Seven Saptha Kanniyar, Sekizhar, 63 Nayanmars, Kannimoolai Ganapati, Valli Deivanai Sametha Subramanyar, Sandikeswarar, Saneeswarar and Kala Bhairava. A mandapam has been built in the Tirumalikai style throughout the inner circle. The Nandavanam is full of blossoming greenery.

Festivals

Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year with much fanfare. Abhishekam, Thaipusam, Panguni Uttaram, Vaikasi Visagam are also celebrated here specially.