Sri Kailasanathar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ கைலாசநாதர் கோயில், ஸ்ரீ சரபசூலினி/Sri Sarabha Soolini, Ashta Bairavar, Sri Simharooda Varahi Temples, Pilanjeri/பிளாஞ்சேரி, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Pilanjeri, Kumbakonam, was a part of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar Temples Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் on 09^th March 2025. The temple complex also consists of the Sarabasoolini, Ashta Bairabvars, and Simharoods Varahi Temples.

Maha Sathasivamurthy as Ravana Anugraha Murthy

Moolavar   : Sri Kailasanathar

Consort     : Sri Kamakshi Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple complex faces east, with a recently built mandapam. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the entrance to the temple. Stucco images of Maha Sadasiva Murti as Ravana Anugraha Murti, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the entrance. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswaarar, Bairavar, Saniswarar, and Aiyyappan.

Ambal Kamakshi is in a separate sannidhi, faces South in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

The Saraba Soolini is in a separate sannidhi facing east on the left side of the temple complex. Saraba Soolini is sitting on her Simha Vahana with 16 hands and a ferocious look. She holds a trishul and kills the demon. Ashta Bairavar sannidhis are around the Saraba Soolini sannidhi. Ashta Bairavars are with various vahanas.

Saraba Soolini

 Ruru Bairavar

 Asitanga Bairavar

 Chanda Bairavar

 Krodha Bairavar

Unmatta Bairavar

 Kapala Bairavar

Samhara Bairavar

 Bairavar

The Varahai sannidhi faces north, on the right side of the temple complex. The Varahi is sitting on a Lion and holds a club and a plough in her upper hands, and her lower hands are in abhaya varada hastam.  

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was constructed with bricks, cement, and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The temple construction does not conform to any style. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An Eka tala vesara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built in recent years.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Brahma advised the Saptarishis to do penance on Shiva to save the living things from pralaya. Athiri Maharishi’s son, Prasamaharishi, requests permission to join the Sapta Maharishis to do penance. But Brahma said that he could not join since he still had the poorva janma karmas. Angered Prasamaharishi came to this temple and did penance on Shiva. Satisfied with the Prasamaharishi’s penance, Shiva appeared before him and said that he to establish Soolini Devi and do Jayamangala yaga on the 1008^th pournami day. You will be relieved from bad karmas, and this earth will be saved from the pralaya.  Since you worshipped this place, it will be called Pirasavanacheri, which has become Pilancheri.

It is believed to get rid of Abimiruthyu Dosha, Pitru Dosha, Pancha maha sins, Gandas, and accidents, by doing Rudra Homa and abhishekam with 16 kinds of materials.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular 4 kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, ashtami, Vinayakar Chaturthi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The place Pilanjeri is 2.1 km from Thirunageswaram, 6.4 km from Thiruvidaimaruthur, and 3.9 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---