Ozhunthiapattu Sri Arisilinathar Temple, Villupuram

Address

Ozhunthiapattu Sri Arisilinathar Temple,Ozhunthiapattu Post, Vanur Taluk,Villupuram,PIN 605010

Diety

Araseleswarar, Amman: Periya Nayakai

Introduction

The Lord of the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Tirugnanasambandar. Says the saint, Arasili is the abode of Lord who drove away Kala the God of Death, who conquered cupid (Manmatha) the deity of passion and lust, living on the alms offered by others, wearing Kondrai flower and tortoise garlands and sacred ash sprayed over His body. This is the 31st temple in the Thondainadu region praised in Thevaram hymns. Thala Virutcham : Arasu tree (Peepal tree) Theertham : Vamana Theertham Agamam / Pooja : Karanam, Kameekam

Puranic Significance

Sage Vamadeva visited many Shiva sthalas seeking relief from a curse he incurred. When he came to this place, he relaxed for a while under an Arasu tree thinking how pleasant would it be if Lord Shiva was there under the tree. Knowing the Sage’s wish, Lord appeared there as a swayambumurthy, relieved Vamadeva of his curse. The sage immediately had a bath in the nearby spring, installed the Linga and worshipped. As Lord appeared under an Arasu tree, He is named Arasaleeswarar and the place Arasili. In the days that followed, the Shivalinga in the place had disappeared. The region was under the rule of Chalukya king Satyavradhan. He was a staunch Shiva devotee. He had no issues. He created a garden, installed another Shivalinga in the place and was worshipping. One day his servant found the plants without flowers and informed the matter. The king did not take it seriously. The servant had to repeat the news next day too. To catch the flower thief, the king closely watched the place in the wee hours and found that a deer was happily eating the flowers. The king was angry that an animal ate the flowers meant for Shiva Puja and shot an arrow. The deer escaped and hid in the hole in the Arasu tree. The king shot an arrow at the tree. The tree bled. The king thought that the animal was wounded and looked into the hole but found a Shivalinga only and not the deer. It was the Linga that disappeared long back. The king bowed before the bleeding Lord and sought His directions. Lord appeared before the king and said that the deer was but He. He blessed the king with children. The temple came into being with the efforts of the king.Lord Shiva as a small swayambumrthi Linga graces the devotees under a Rudraksha (108 beads) Pandal – tent. The arrow scar on the Linga is still visible. Both as a mark of respect to the Lord and as if to cover the scar injury, a turban is tied on the Linga during the pujas. Saint Sambandar stayed here for a while and sang pathigams – set of 10 verses. Mother Perianayaki graces from a separate shrine facing south.

Beliefs

It is believed that performing abishek to Lord with the leaves of Arasu tree would bring back the positions lost by the devotee earlier and also reward with promotions. Realizing their wishes, devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and do Angapradakshinam-rolling around the prakara.

Special Features

Lord Dakshinamurthy graces from the goshta wall. The depiction of Muyalagan, symbol of ignorance is under the left leg of the Lord holding a serpent against the traditional right. Lord Nataraja graces above in the Aananda Thandava (blissful dancing) posture. It is said that Lord Dakshinamurthy symbolizes Peace and Lord Nataraja Bliss telling mankind that they have to practice Ananda-bliss through Silence-Peaceful state of mind. It is a rare portrayal of Lord Shiva’s Upadesa as Dakshinamurthy combined with the bliss embodied in Lord Nataraja. Lord Mahavishnu graces on the ghosta-wall around the sanctum sanctorum facing west. Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Bhairava, four Saivite Saints are in separate shrines in the prakara. Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka. The Rajagopuram of the temple is of a 3 tier structure.

Festivals

10 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam in May-June, Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.