Twin Temples, Keezhaiyur / Irattaik koil (Twin Temple) / இரட்டைக்கோயில்கள் / கீழையூர், Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to these Twin temples at Keezhaiyur, in Ariyalur District was a part of the “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organized by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th, November 2023. 

  

This west-facing temple complex is called Avanikantharva Eswaram and consists of two Shiva temples. The Northside temple is called Vadavaayil Srikoil or Chozheecharam, a smaller one and the Southside temple is big and called Thenvaayil Srikoil or Agastheeswaram.  A 3-tier Rajagopuram on the west side with Dwarapalakas on both sides of the Rajagopuram entrance.

In Praharam Vinayagar, Ambal, Jyeshta Devi, Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, and Murugan ( in a sitting posture ).

VADAVAYIL SRIKOIL or CHOZHEECHARAM

This temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with Padma jagathy, vrutha kumudam, and Viyyalavari. In bhitti the pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, veerakandam and tharanga pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with bhutaganas, kapotam with nasi kudus, Chandra mandalam and viyyalavari. The actions of Bhuta ganas are worth to see. One Bhuta gana inserts a lizard's tail in its nose. The Vimanam above the prastaram is of Vesara style built with stone. The Chandramandalam are in oshtam.   Brahma, Murugan, and Dakshinamurthy are in adi tala, first tala, and greevam.

One Bhuta gana inserts a lizard's tail in its nose. 

THENVAAYIL SRIKOIL or AGASTHEESWARAM

This temple consists of  Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with Padma jagathy, Vrutha Kumudam, and Viyyalavari. On bhitti the pilasters  are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, veerakandam and tharanga pothyal. The Mahara thorana above has the reliefs of Gajasamharamurthy, Ashta Bhuja dancing Shiva, The prastaram consists of valapi with Bhuta ganas, kapotam with nasi kudus, and Viyyalavari.  The Vimanam above the prastaram is of nagara style built with stone. The 1^st tala prastram valapi has the birds' sculptures.

Some of the mandapa pillars are squatting lion pillars and the rest are vrutha pillars.

In Koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Murugan, and Brahma. In Tala koshtas, Various forms of Shiva, Murugan, Indra, Veenadahara, etc,. One of the pilasters has the bas-relief of Mahishamardini.

This sculpture “Parasivan” is on the tala kosta on the Vimanam Northside and is a unique one. Thirumoolar mentions that Shiva himself lifted.  

பாரசிவன்

“தன்மேனி தற்சிவ லிங்கமாய் நின்றிடும்,

தன்மேனி தானும் சதாசிவமாய் நிற்கும்,

தன்மேனி தற்சிவன் தற்சிவ ஆனந்தமாம்,

தன்மேனி தானாகும் தற்பரன் தானே”

–திருமூலர் மேலப்பழுவூர்

பாரசிவன்- Parasivan

 Makara Thorana - Ashtabhuja Shiva's- Dance 

Makara Thorana - Gaja Samhara Moorthy and a miniature sculpture on the top 

Mahishasuramardini

Makarathundam 

Bullheaded Bhut gana

Kapotam with kodipalai & Chandra mandalam  - keerthi mukha Nasi Kudus 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Both the temples were built in the 9^th Century CE, early Chozha period architecture by Pazhuvettaraiyars, the  regional Kings, Kumaran Kandan and Kumaran Maravan, who ruled under Chozhas.

As per the inscriptions, this place was called Manni Perum Pazhuvur and Avani Kantharvapuram, in Kundra Kootrathu Avani Kantharvapuram. Avani Kantharvapuram was established for Merchants. The temple complex was called Avanikantharva Eswaram, in the name of a Pazhuvettaraiyar with the title of Avani Kantharvan. He also holds the titles of Gangamarthandan, Kaliyuga Nirmoolan, Maravan Malathalan, Araiyarkal Araivuli, etc,.  

The inscriptions record the Chozha King's names as, Parantaka Chozha-I, Kandradita Chozha, Sundara Chozha, Utama Chozha, Rajaraja Chozha-I, and Rajendra Chozha-I. The Pazhuvettaraiyar Kings Maharishi descendents Kshatriyan Pothugan Peruman Pazhuvettarayan Kumaran Maravan, Poigai Kuruvitathu Vettagudi Vadukan Madhavan Pazhuvettaraiyan Kumaran maravan, Adigal  Pazhuvettaraiyan Kandan Maravan, Adigal  Pazhuvettaraiyan Maravan kandan, Adigal  Pazhuvettaraiyan Kandan Sundara Chozhan, Adigal  PazhuvettaraiyanKaikola madevan, Ranamukha Raman, Rajaraja Chozha’s Queen Panchavan Mahadevi.

Adita Chozha –I’s period inscription records the endowment of burning two perpetual lamps by Nakkanbhoothi one of the Thevaradiyar for the same 8 ma land was gifted to this temple as devadhanam. The land was converted into two Bhoga cultivated lands before gifting to this temple. The land was received by the temple administration consisting of 7 people and promised to burn both temples Pakaividai Eswaram ( present Sundareswarar Temple ) and Avanikantharva Eswaram.  

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s period inscription records the endowment of a burning lamp by Avani Sundarapurathu Veera Chozha Anukkan Kunavan Thaani Vallan. For the same 10 kalanju gold was gifted to to this temple. The gold was received by the temple administration consisting of 7 people and promised to burn lamps at this temple Avanikantharva Eswaram. 

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s other inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam in both temples Shiva on Sankaranthi days, by Thevaradiyal Nakkan Periya Arangapiran’s daughter Nakkaan Kumarakkan. The same land at Urakangudi Village was gifted to this temple. In Addition to this to conduct celebrations in Chithirai and Aippasi months, Naivedyam to Vinayagar on Uttarayana and Dakshinayana days, one ma land was gifted to this temple. The above endowments are done in the presence of Kandan Maravan’s official Koyil Konadigal.

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s period inscription records that the Queen and Thevaradiyar Nakkan Panchavan Mahadevi, requested the King to give Paddy 297 kalam 1 pathakku 5 Nazhi ( உடையார் ஸ்ரீராஜராஜதேவர் கொண்டருளும் நெல்லு தொளாயிரத்து இருபத்து ஏழு கலனே பதக்கு அஞ்ஞாழியும் ) to this temple, which was received as tax from the Rajendra Singavalanattu Poigai Nattu Uragangudi, a Brahmadeya Village. The King accepted the request and issued an order. This inscription mentions as உலகளந்து ஏறின நிலத்தால் -records that the lands are measured during Rajaraja Chozha-I’s period.    

In another inscription, Soman Bhuvani was stabbed to death by Arangan Bhattan. The Pazhuvur Nagarathar tried to catch him but couldn’t do so. So the Pazhuvur Nagarathar established an endowment of burning a perpetual lamp at Pakaividai Eswarathu Mahadevar Temple ( the present Sundareswarar temple ). For the same, the temple authorities, 4 Siva Brahmins received Gold from the Pazhuvur Nagarathar. This Gold was used to rectify the breach of Pakaividai Chaturvedi Mangalam eri / Kulam. The burning of lamps will be maintained through the 30 kalam paddy yield from lands below the breach.

Another inscription records that Sankarapadiyan alias Kumizimanappan, an oil merchant was killed by the Kaanakkol, thrown by an unknown person. Valanchiyars, a Merchant group  gave 50 kalanju Gold to burn a Lamp at Avanikantharva Eswarathu Mahadevar Temple, for Kumizimanappan’s death. The temple administration received that Gold and used it to rectify the breach in the Kandan Kulam / eri ( present Thavuthaikulam Gramam ) alias Theethakulam. To maintain the lamps, the Paddy received from the lower lands of the breach was used. Also, some lands are gifted to the Kumizhimanappan’s legal successors, such as Irayili. 

The Dwajasthambam with Peedam was installed by Ranamukha Raman Pazhuvettaraiyar.

Ref: A Handbook issued during the Heritage walk

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Orukala Poojas is conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru kala pooja is conducted opening and closing of sanctum sanctorum is unpredictable. A Meikavalar posted by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department will help to see outside the temple

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the Trichy Main Road, Melapalur.

The temple is about 7 KM from Keezhapalur, 13 KM from Ariyalur, 40 KM from Thanjavur, 48 KM from Perambalur,  61 KM from Trichy, and 320 KM from Chennai.

The nearest railway station is Ariyalur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Murugan

Shiva

Murugan

Brahma 

Jyshta Devi - Thavvai

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---