Elavanasur Kottai Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Villupuram

Address

Elavanasur Kottai,

Villupuram District – 607 202

Mobile: +91 9443385223

Moolavar

Ardhanareeswarar

Amman

Bhrihannayaki / Periya Nayaki

Introduction

Ardhanareeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Elavanasur Kottai (Pidagam) Village in Villupuram District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Ardhanareeswarar and Mother is called as Bhrihannayaki / Periya Nayaki. This Temple is on a hill called Tirumalai perhaps originally part of a fort (Kottai = fort). It is not a temple visited or sung by the Tamil Nayanmars; though one inscription of Vikrama Chola’s mentions the provision for the recitation of Manikkavasagar’s hymns, the Tiruchchalal. It is believed that this is one of the Mada temple built by Kochengata Chola.

Puranic Significance

Ur Bhagam Kondaruliya Nayanar:

Deivigan, the Malaiyaman Chief, slays the asura Karundan, who was a brahmin in a previous birth. Because of this, the sin of Brahmahatti attaches itself to him. To get rid of this sin, he performs a sacrifice and colonizes four neighboring villages with 400 brahmins and takes 400 other brahmins to this place. However, he finds that there are 400 more still left to be provided for. When he is unable to solve this problem of housing for these 400, the Lord of the temple appears before him as a brahmin and tells him: ‘Gift away this village now. Give one half to the brahmins and the other half to me alone; then they will be satisfied’. The Chief does so. The brahmin disappears and reveals himself as Lord Siva of the temple. From that incident he came to be known as Ur Bhagam Kondaruliya Nayanar—the. Lord who accepted one half of the village”.

Mada Kovil: Kochengat Chola was a Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the god Shiva. He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the babies red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king, Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and built 70 Maadakovils, temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola Empire. It is believed that this is one of the temples built by him.

Rajaraja Chola built this Temple: When Rajaraja Chola was going to war with his army through this place, he heard noises from the bushes on his path. He was moving towards the direction of noise by cutting the bushes located on his way with his sword by sitting in his horse itself. Suddenly his sword touched the Shiva Lingam present on the push. Blood started to ooze out from the Lingam. Rajaraja realized his mistake and begged Lord Shiva to forgive him. Lord instructed him to build a temple. As per Lord Advice, Rajaraja Chola built this temple.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here: Indhra and Sage Mrugandu worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Names: The place was called as Chola Kerala Chathurvedhi Mangalam, Arasavanam, Neeretrapuri, Iraiyanaraiyur, Iraisai, Iraivasanallur and Ilanasur.

Elavanasur Kottai: The area was ruled by Mir Hussain Khan under Arcot Nawab. There was a fort in this area during this period. Hence, this place was called as Elavanasur Kottai.

Iraivasanallur Thala Puranam: Legends related to this Temple has been mentioned in Iraivasanallur Thala Puranam written by Purana Thirumalai Nathar.

Beliefs

Those who want to get rid of Brahma Hathi Dosham and Marriage obstacles can pray to Lord and get their wishes fulfilled.

Special Features

The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old. This is a large temple with 150 feet high 6-tiered Rajagopuram and 5 Praharams. The Temple has been located on 4 feet high Peedam. There is a Nootru Kaal Mandapam located between the Rajagopuram and Sanctum. This Temple is perhaps the one of the huge “Maadakovils”, (built on a raised platform) of Villupuram district. There are 18 steps to reach the sanctum located on the elevation.

Presiding Deity is called as Ardhanareeswarar and is facing west. He is also known as Urbhagangondaruliya Mahadevar / Urbhagangondaruliya Thambiranar / Urbhagangondaruliya Nayanar Sigara Sigamani Nathar / Gramardhanathesvarar / Amarabuyanga Thevar. The Lingam is a Suyambhu (Self Manifested).

Lord has three Nandhis in front of him, all facing the opposite direction i.e. west Direction. Naalvar is also present in Peedam in the sanctum. The Maha Mandapam has many interesting sculptures in dance postures. Also, there is an Ayyappan sculpture in one of the pillars near sanctum. Hence this temple is quite famous with Ayyappan Devotees. Devotees throng this Temple during Margazhi Month.

There is an Alankara Mandapam which has sculptures of Lord Shiva Play (Tiruvilayadal). Mother is called as Thiru Palliyarai Nambiraatiyar / Bhrihannayaki / Periya Nayaki and is facing east. There are four Durga Shrines on all four directions within the temple complex. Amman shrine is situated on the south west side of sanctum.

There are shrines of Dhandapani, Swayambu Linga housed on square Avudaiyar, Naalvar, Maha Ganapathy, Vallabha Ganapathy, Athmalingam, Somaskanda, Murugan, Agasthya Lingam, Rana Lingeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi and Natarajar in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Jack Fruit Tree.