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

 30 September 2012.

This is the 276th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam at Kiliyannavur. Now this place is called Kiliyanur, in the Viluppuram 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 faces 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 (without thandam/gatha 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 praharam  Maha Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena, sametha Arumugasamy, Ikrotha Bairavar, Kala Bhairava, Navagrahas, Suryan, and Chandran. Some loose sculptures of old Dakshinamurthy, Jyeshta Devi, Nagars, etc, are also in the praharam.

It was said that Urchavars are kept in the village for safety reasons (It was taken away by the thieves, and later 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 is in a standing posture with hands in abhaya and varada hasta hastam. The Rishabam opposite Ambal is a little lower than the ground level. 

ARCHITECTURE

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

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

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

Old Tamil inscriptions are found throughout the walls of the sanctum sanctorum. Most of them have no continuity. Some of the portions were damaged during renovations. It is believed that the temple has existed for more than 1200 years. Once it was a brick temple, and later the same was reconstructed 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 the 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 Darshan, P. Harihara Gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile 9976440754.

HOW TO REACH : 

The village Kiliyanur is on the Tindivanam to Pondicherry bus route and is 18 km from Tindivanam. The temple is on the bus route, Brammadesam main road, within the village, about a km from the Kiliyanur bus stand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 (East side entrance arch )

 (Rishabam on the west side, looking at Moolavar through Jolly / Jala's work on stone)

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

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---