Sri Agastheeswarar Temple /ஸ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Kiliyanur, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

 30, September 2012.

This is the 276th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam at Kiliyannavur. Now this place is called as Kiliyanur, in the Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu) in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 (Moolavar Vimanam )

Moolavar    : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort      : Sri Akilandeswari

Sthala Vruksham : Vanni.

Theertham : Agni.

Some of the important features of this temple are as follows.

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch on the west side. The space is used to store vahanas. Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the artha mandapam which has an entrance on the north side. At the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum, Dwarapalakas ( with out thandam/gathai and round ring / thodu in ears ), Vinayagar on the left and Thandayuthapani on the right.

In koshtam, Pichandanar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu ( in Lingothbavar’s place), Brahma and Durgai.

In prakaram  Maha Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena sametha Arumugasamy, Ikrotha bhairavar, Kala Bhairava, Navagrahas, Suryan and Chandran and some loose sculptures old Dakshinamurthy, Jyeshta Devi, Nagars, etc,.

It was told that Urchavars are kept in the village for safety reasons ( It was taken away by the thieves and latter the same was recovered).

Ambal looks cute and beautiful,  in a separate sannadhi facing east at the south side entrance of Maha mandapam. The Ambal in standing posture with hands in abhaya and varada hasta hastam. The Rishabam opposite to Ambal is little lower than the ground level. 

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. 

( Maha mandapam with entrance to the ardha mandapam from  South )

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

Old Tamil inscriptions are found through out the wall of sanctum sanctorum. Most of them has no continuity. Some of the portions were damaged  during renovations. It is believed that the temple exists more than 1200 years. Once it was a brick temple latter the same was re-constructed with stone. The message of the inscriptions is mainly about the donations made  for conducting the regular poojas and burning of Nandha Deepam in front of moolavar.

LEGENDS

Moolavar was installed by Agathiyar and worshiped by Sukar, Adiseshan and Kalava Maharishi sheshan. The moolavar looks rich with nagabaranam.

It is believed that Nandi Devar is worshiping Ambal during Maha Shivaratri.

CONTACT DETAILS 

For dharshan  P. Harihara Gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile 9976440754.

HOW TO REACH : 

The village Kiliyanur is on the Tindivanam to Pondycheri bus route and 18 KM from  Tindivanam. The Temple is on the bus route Brammadesam main road within the village about a km from Kiliyanur bus stand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 (East side entrance arch )

 ( Rishabam on west side looking moolavar through jolly / Jala work on stone )

 ( Maha Vinayagar Sannidhi - At the back Ambal sannidhi  facing east )

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---