Sri Kamanatha Eswarar / Kamanada Eswarar Temple / Ashta Bhairava Temple, Aragalaur / ஆறகளூர் காமநாதீஸ்வரர் கோவில், Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

 09^th October 2016.

The temple is known for Ashta Bhairavas namely Kala Bhairavar, Asitanga Bhairava, Samhara Bhairavar, Ruru Bhairava, Krothana Bhairavar, Kapala Bhairavar, Rudra Bhairava and Unmatha Bhairavar. The seventh Bhishma Bhairava is on the left side of Rajagopuram under a small mandapam in the form of Balipedam.

Moolavar    : Sri Kamanada Eswarar

Consort      : Sri Periyanayagi

Some of the important details are…

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. After the arch, there are mandapams on both sides and entrance to Ambal Sannadhi. The Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam / Idabam are in front of the 3-tier Rajagopuram, and the eighth Bhairavar Kapala Bhairava on the top tier of the Rajagopuram facing South. 

In the inner paraharam sannidhi for Saptamatrikas, Ayyanar, Lingas, Subramanyar, 63var, 6 Bairavas ( in different places ), Navagrahas, and Chandran. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, a Mukha mandapam, 16 pillar mandapam and a 100 pillar mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, kumudam and pattika. The bhitti starts with vedika. Vishnukantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai and pothyal. The prastaram consists of Valapi and kapotam with Nasikudus. 3 tier Dravida brick Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. 

 16 Pillar Mandapam 

HISTORY

The king Vanakovaraiyar with his wife Punniyavatti Nachiyar. Vanakovaraiyar ruled this Makathai Mandalam with Aragalur as the capital. There are many inscriptions around the sanctum wall of the Chozha, Pandya, and Vanakovaraiyars periods, which speak mainly about donations given for the daily poojas. One of the inscriptions speaks about Krishnadevaraya who exempts the tax for the Archakas.

 Pandya Dynasty official embalm 

The King Vanakovaraiyar with his wife Punniyavatti Nachiyar. 

LEGENDS

It is believed that saint Vashita worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple. People throng in this temple in large numbers for the Midnight pooja conducted on the 8^th day ( Ashtami day ) after the Pournami ( full moon day ).

It is believed that Sun also worships Shri Shiva of this temple. The sun's rays used to fall on the Moolavar during the Panguni Uthiram festival Pura Nakshatra day.  

 Kala Bairavar 

 Kapala Bairava on the Rajagopuram 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs. The timings will change during important function days, Ashtami days, and Sundays.

CONTACT DETAILS.

Mr. Venkatesh of Selvam Medicals may be contacted for assistance through his mobile at +919047514844, +98870284864, and +919894025312

HOW TO REACH :

Bus facilities are available from Salem Attur, Thalaivasal, and Kallakurichi.

Route Bus nos 6 and 31 are available from Attur Bus stand.

Sharadha a private bus also runs from Attur to Aragalur.

Minibus facility is available from Thalaivasal and V. Koot Road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE 

 A Nayaka  Period Mandapam in a dilapidated condition ( People used to call this 1000 pillar mandapam ) 

 Ayyanar

 Vinayagar in the Kanni moolai

 Nataraja with Sivagami

 A Vinayagar under the tree

…… to be Continued ( Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal, Aragalur)

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---