This is
the 276th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam at Kiliyannavur
and the 33rd Paadal Petra Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. This was identified
as a Paadal Petra Sthalam at the beginning of the 20th Century. Now this
place is called Kiliyanur, in
Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. This place Kiliyannavur is close to the
ThiruArasili near Pondicherry, one of the Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam. 
In
Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that, Thirugnanasambandar went to Thillai
after worshiping Lord Shiva of ThiruArasili. He didn’t mention this temple in
particular but mentioned other temples on the way. Since This place is very
close to ThiruArasili, experts believe that he might have visited
this temple also and sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
In the hymns, Thirugnanasambandar mentioned the
association of Agasthiyar with Lord Shiva. As per J V Goplayyer, the hymns were
published in 1932 in the 5th of Sidhanantham Magazine. Also, these figures are on page 405, Volume -1, of Thirugnanasambandar’s Thevara Panmurai collection
Published by the Pondichery Indalogy Institution in the year 1984.
பன்னி நின்ற பனுவல் அகத்தியன் உன்னி நின்று உறுத்தும் சுகத்தவன்மன்னை நாகம் முகத்தவர் ஓதலும்முன்னில் நின்ற கிளியன்ன வூரனே......
ThirugnanasambandarMoolavar : Sri AgastheeswararConsort : AkilandeswariSthala
Vruksham : Vanni.Theertham
: Agni.
Some of
the salient features of this temple are..... The
temple faces West with an entrance arch / Mandapa on the east and west sides.
On the west side entrance arch is a Stucco image of Lord Shiva & Parvati with
Agasthiyar and Thirugnanasambandar in worshiping posture at the center. Stucco
images of Vinayagar are on the left and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar is on
the right. The Mandapa is used to store
vahanas. Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the ardha mandapam which has
an entrance on the South side. A stone jala / Jolly is provided in front of
Rishabam to face Moolavar. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. At the entrance of the sanctum
sanctorum, Dwarapalakas wearing padra kundala, Vinayagar is on the left and
Thandayuthapani is on the right.
In
koshtam, Pichandanar / Bickshadanar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu ( in
Lingothbavar’s place), Brahma, and Durgai.
In
praharam Maha Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena Arumugasamy,
Krodha Bhairava ( Holding Changu / Conch, Chakra and a Shiva Linga is a
unique feature in this temple ). Kala Bhairava, Nalvar, Navagrahas, Suriyan, and
Chandran and some loose sculptures of old Dakshinamurthy, Jyeshta Devi, Nagars,
etc,.
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 is in a separate sannidhi
facing east at the south side entrance of Maha mandapam. The Ambal is in
standing posture with hands in abhaya and varada hastam. The Nandhi
opposite Ambal is a little lower than the ground level. It is believed that
Nandi Devar used to circumambulate and worship Ambal on Mahashivratri day.
ARCHITECTURE.The
sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The
entrance to the ardha Mandapam is from the south side with a mandapam. The
Adhisthanam is prathi bandha adhisthana with padma jagathy, Virutha Kumuda, and a
Yazhi vari. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone from adhistanam to
prastaram. The prastaram is of kapotha style with Nasi kudu. Bhuta Ganas are in
the valabi. Yazhi vari is on the bhoomi desam. Two thala Vimana is on the
sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are
in the greeva Koshtam. The Vimana is of Vesara style. 
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONThe name
“Killi” was a common name among the Chozha Kings and some of the Chozha Kings
are called Killivalavan, Nedungkilli. These names are figures in the Sangam
literature too. So this place might have been called Killiyanallur and the
same might have been corrupted to the present name of Kiliyanur.
The
loose sculptures like Jyeshta Devi and Chandikeswarar installed on the back side of the temple
belong to the Pallava Period. Hence this temple might have been constructed during the Pallava period and reconstructed as a stone temple during the Chozha period.
The
inscriptions on the sanctum Sanctorum walls do not have continuity. Some of the
portions were damaged during renovations. As per the inscription this
place was called Jayankonda Chozhamandaalathu Oyma Nadu Brahmadeya
Kiliyanallur. During Chozha Kings rule this place was under Keralanthaga
Chaturvedi mangalam and Vijaya Rajendra Valanadu. Lord Shiva was called Thiruvagniswaram
Udayar. The 9th-century inscriptions record the donations
made for conducting the regular poojas and burning of perpetual Lamps and
Naivedyam. One of Chozha King’s ( name was found damaged ), period, Ambalavan
Kandradithan alias Kavalayam Gangaraisar had established an endowment and the
details are not known.
The
Chozha King Koparakesari’s ( Parantaka-I ) 10th reign year
inscription records the endowment of special Naivedyam with 4 nali rice offered
during worship on the Amavasya and Sankranti day by one Parasaran Thayan
Sathan.
Rajendra
Chozha’s 3rd reign year inscription records the endowment of burning
a perpetual lamp by a Brahmin lady for the same 90 goats were gifted to this temple.
Kulothunga
Chozha period inscription records the endowment of special poojas to Pichadanar / Bhikshatana and the burning of perpetual lamps.
The
damaged Vikrama Chozha’s inscription starts with his mei keerthi as
“Poomathu.....”. records a land was gifted by Kiliyanur alias Ulakuyyakonda
Chozha Chaturvedi Mangalam Villagers.
Rajathi
Rajan’s 28th reign year inscription starts with his mei keerthi as
“Thingalertharu...”, records that land was sold for Naivedyam for
Thiruvagniswaramudayar by the Keralanthaka Chaturvedi Mangalam Village sabha. 29th
Reign Year inscription records that another land was sold for Naivedyam.
Kulothunga
Chozha’s 3rd reign year inscription records that Ulakuyyavanda
Chozha Chaturvedi Mangalam alias Kiliyanur sabha exempted Tax to some of the
Lands. Also, the inscription mentions the interest for the capital deposited in
the treasury and Pichadevar / Bickshadanar.
A Mallikarjuvarayar,
Vijayanagara Period inscription ( 1372 CE ) ( on a separate stone near the
madapalli ), records the rectification of the Mathagu / water regulator of the Eri
and rectification of Eri damaged due to cyclone by Virupparaya Gangeyan’s son
Vijayaraya Gangayan. In that, this place was mentioned as Kilivalanallur. 
LEGENDSAs per
the legend, Suka Muni ( Kili -Parrot faced Muni – கிளி in Tamil ), worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence This place obtained the name Kiliyanur.
It is
believed that the Moolavar was installed by Agathiyar and worshiped by Suka
Muni, Adhiseshan, and Kalava Maharishi. Since Adhiseshan worshiped Lord Shiva of
this temple, this temple is considered one of the Rahu & Ketu parihara
sthalam. When Kalava Maharishi's two daughters were suffering from a chronic disease, Kalava prayed to Lord Shiva and both were relieved from the
disease.
Devotees
worship Lord Shiva and Akilandeswari to get relief from Marriage obstacles,
to excel in studies, to get relief from Stomach pain, etc,. It is believed that Nandi Devar worships Ambal
on Maha Shivaratri days.
With the
presence of Kalabhairava, this temple is considered equivalent to Kasi.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart
from regular poojas, special poojas will be conducted on Pradosham, Maha
Shivaratri, and Annabhishekam in the month of Aippasi, Pournami, Amavasya, and Ashtami
days and Fridays. Special
poojas are offered on Rahu and Ketu Peyarchi / Transition days.
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 18 KM from Tindivanam.
The Temple is on the bus route Brahmadesam main road within the
village about a km from the Kiliyanur bus stand.The
Temple is 18 KM from Tindivanam, 24 KM from Pondicherry, 56 KM from Villupuram, and 143 KM from Chennai.Nearest
railway Station is Tindivanam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Pallava Period Jyeshta Devi and Chandikeswarar
Dwarapalakas
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
The
sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The
entrance to the ardha Mandapam is from the south side with a mandapam. The
Adhisthanam is prathi bandha adhisthana with padma jagathy, Virutha Kumuda, and a
Yazhi vari. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone from adhistanam to
prastaram. The prastaram is of kapotha style with Nasi kudu. Bhuta Ganas are in
the valabi. Yazhi vari is on the bhoomi desam. Two thala Vimana is on the
sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are
in the greeva Koshtam. The Vimana is of Vesara style.
Devotees
worship Lord Shiva and Akilandeswari to get relief from Marriage obstacles,
to excel in studies, to get relief from Stomach pain, etc,. It is believed that Nandi Devar worships Ambal
on Maha Shivaratri days.
Pallava Period Jyeshta Devi and Chandikeswarar
Dwarapalakas
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