Harikesavanallur Ariyanathaswamy Temple, Tirunelveli

Address

Harikesavanallur, Ambasamuthram circle,

Tirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu 627426

Moolavar

Ariyanathaswamy

Amman

Brahanayaki

Introduction

Harikesavanallur Ariyanathaswamy is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Located in the Harikesavanallur town, Ambasamuthuram circle, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Here the Presiding deity is called as Ariyanathaswamy and Mother is called as Brahanayaki. Ariyanathaswamy Harikesavanallur is about 3 kilometers north of Veeravanallur (30 kilometers west of Tirunelveli via Cheranmahadevi) and the same distance south of Mukkudal (25 kilometers west of Tirunelveli in the Kadayam, Tenkasi Road).

Puranic Significance

Ariyanathaswamy Harikesavanallur is an ancient temple and has many inscriptions on the sanctum walls. It is understood that the temple was constructed by Nindraseer Nedumara Pandyan (Koon (Hunchbacked) Pandyan of the 7th Century CE). He was also called Arikesari Parankusa Maravarman and the village received its name from him. Ariyanathaswamy Harikesavanallur was renovated by Jatavaraman Kulasekara Pandyan (1190–1216 CE).

Ariyanathaswamy Harikesavanallur is an east-facing temple where the east-facing Goddess sanctum is separate and just outside the main deity’s temple. The main deity here is a tall lingam and the goddess is also tall at about 6 feet including a pedestal. There are 2 prakarams around the main deity’s sanctum. The inner one is covered on top. The outer prakaram has shade-providing trees and cowering plants. A buried idol of Kubera was recovered from the premises in 2007 and has been installed separately outside the entrance to the Mahamantapam. The temple has a temple car. A temple tank is outside the gateway in the east. There are a few idols lying about inside the compound including a beautiful Karthikeya and also a few outside including a Nandi. The Dakshinamurthy here is Medha Dakshinamurthy and is considered as one of the Pancha (ve) Dakshinamurthy Sthalam. The others being Andhalanallur, Then Thirupuvanam, Thirupudaimarudur, and Idaikkal.

Special Features

Ariyanathaswamy Harikesavanallur is considered important due to the presence of Jeshtadevi with her two attendants, also considered as her children. Jyeshta Devi is the opposite of Goddess Lakshmi and considered as her elder sister as she appeared with the poison that came out during the churning of the ocean. Her worship started coming down at the end of the 7th or 8th century CE as she is associated with misfortune. Very few temples have them and are kept in inconspicuous locations and rituals performed only during inauspicious times. Kubera, the god of wealth is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva at Ariyanathaswamy Harikesavanallur.

Other deities are Mukurni Raja Ganapathi, Juradevar, Sapthamadar, Selvavinayakar (2 idols), Kasi Viswanathar, V Kubera Lingam, Bhairava, Navagraha, Kuberan, Jeshtadevi. Sanctum niches – Dakshninamurthy Chandhikeswara.