Keelavidayal Chidambareswarar Shiva Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Keelavidayal Chidambareswarar Shiva Temple,

Keelavidiyal,

Valangaiman Circle,

Thiruvarur District,

Tamil Nadu– 612601.

Moolavar

Chidambareswarar

Amman

Sivakami sundari

Introduction

Keelavidayal Chidambareswarar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Keelavidiyal village, Valangaiman circle, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu. Here the Presiding deity is called as Chidambareswarar and Mother is called as Sivakami Sundari. This Keelavidayal is a small town with two or three streets and two large ponds. This Chidambareswarar temple is a west facing temple on the bank of the pond. Chola temple stands majestically with its black stone construction. The walls are like towering castle walls.

Puranic Significance

The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. Lord Chidambareswarar sanctum sanctorum is spacious. Adjacent to the sanctum sanctorum is the Artha Mandapam. A tall cement hall stands in front of the Lord. Outside of it, Lord Nandyemperuman is seen in a small hall. Sivakamasundari has a separate temple towards the south. It is built of black stone up to the roof level and brick above. The Lord and the Goddess are somewhat larger idols. Around the sanctum sanctorum, Durgai Devi is the first one facing north, with a soft smile and a gentle smile, with Vishnu aspect holding a conch and wheel in his hand. Next, Brahma faces north. At the back of the sanctum sanctorum, Arthanareeswarar with the bull stretches out his tongue and licks the Lord’s hand; Dakshnamurthy shows a slim curve to the south, followed by Nardhana Vinayakar Kottam. Many inscriptions are without information. There is a moat system around the sanctum sanctorum. When the water comes to the Kudamurti, the ditch is full of water, and the light of the lamp kept on its side falls on the flowing water and the lights on the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum are spectacular.

In the south-west corner is a lingam next to Vinayagar and in the north-west there is a long mandapam with Kailasanathar facing east and Kalastini Ambika nearby. Next is Sundarar with Bhairava. Next Murugan is with Valli Deivanai. Adjacent to it are Jurahareswara Lingam and Mahalakshmi. There is a well in the north, Bhairava in the northeast, and Surya. Brahmasandesar is here with four faces which are rare from other temples.

“With the kind permission of Sri Kadambur K. Vijayan, these are extracted from his posts”.