Aragalur Kamanada Eswarar Temple, Salem

Address

Aragalur Kamanada Eswarar Temple, Aragalur – Thalaivasal Rd, Aragalur, Tamil Nadu 636101

Diety

Kamanada Eswarar Amman: Periyanayaki

Introduction

The Kamanada Eswarar Temple, located in Aragalur near Thalaivasal in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its worship of Ashta Bhairavar.

Deities:

• The primary deity of the temple is Lord Kamanada Eswarar, while the goddess is known as Periyanayaki.
• The temple is particularly famous for its Ashta Bhairavar icons, representing eight manifestations of Lord Bhairava.

Puranic Significance

• The temple is believed to have been constructed before 1206 CE and is of significant historical and archaeological importance.
• The temple is now maintained by the Tamil Nadu Government Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments ministry.

• Kameshwara temple’s stala purana (temple history) indicates that it was the place where Kamadeva (the god of love) woke up Lord Shiva.
• There is a village named Kaamakkaapaliyam in the vicinity.
• Sage Vashista is believed to have worshipped the Shiva Linga at this temple.

Special Features

Temple Features:

• The temple’s vimana (tower) is three-tiered, and it has a temple tank, although the tank is usually dry for most of the year.
• An icon of Kapala Bhairavar is located on the temple’s gopuram (entrance tower).
• The temple has a shrine dedicated to Gajalakshmi, depicting Goddess Lakshmi with two elephants on either side.
• A separate shrine for Bhishma Bhairavar is located outside the central temple.
• The temple houses a shrine dedicated to Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha).
• A beautiful Nandi statue faces the main deity, Kamanada Eswarar.
• An ancient Kodimaram (temple flagstaff) can also be seen in the temple premises.

Devotees’ Belief:

• Devotees worship the Ashta Bhairavar at this temple to seek remedies for various problems and challenges.

Festivals

• Bhairavar puja is celebrated in a grand manner at the Kamanada Eswarar temple on the 8th day after the new moon (Ashtami) at midnight. This temple is probably the only one in Tamil Nadu with such an elaborate Bhairavar puja.
• Aarudhra Dharisanam is celebrated in December each year during the Tamil month of Margazhi on Thiruvathirai.
• Special poojas are performed at midnight on every Ashtami (eighth day after the full moon) at the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1206 CE

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Aragalur

Nearest Railway Station

Salem

Nearest Airport

Coimbatore

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