Arasilinathar Temple

Overview

The temple was called Thiruarasili earlier, but was later named as Oluthiyapattu. The Lord of the temple has been praised in the Thevaram hymns of Tirugnanasambandar. Arasili is the abode of Lord who drove away Kala, the God of Death, who conquered cupid (Manmatha) the deity of passion and lust, living on the charity offered by others, wearing Kondrai flowers and tortoise garlands and sacred ash sprayed over His body. This is the 31st temple in the Thondainadu region that has been praised in Thevaram hymns. This temple is 1000-2000 years old.

About The Temple

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The vinayaka of this temple is known as Varasiddhi Vinayaka. The Rajagopuram of the temple has a 3-tier structure. In the outer prakaram there are Naalvar Vinayagar, Sandikeswarar, Vallidevasena Sri Subramaniyar, Navagrahas, Kala bairavar and Suryan. There are lot of sudhai sirpam and paintings around the entrance and prakaram walls. The depiction of Muyalagan, symbol of ignorance is under the left leg of the Lord holding a serpent against the traditional right. Lord Nataraja graces above in the Aananda Thandava (blissful dancing) posture. It is said that Lord Dakshinamurthy symbolizes Peace and Lord Nataraja Bliss telling mankind that they have to practice Ananda-bliss through Silence-Peaceful state of mind. It is a rare portrayal of Lord Shiva’s Upadesa as Dakshinamurthy combined with the bliss embodied in Lord Nataraja. Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Bhairava, four Saivite Saints are in separate shrines in the prakara. There are many old Tamil inscriptions around the karuvarai walls. These Tamil inscriptions belong to Vikrama Chozha Devar, Kulothunga Chozha Devar period. During their period this place was called as “Oimanattu Thiruarasili” and “Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Oimanattu Vijayarajendra Chozhavalanattu Peruvembur Nattu Thiruarasili.”

Thala Virutcham

Arasu tree (Peepal tree)

Theertham

Vamana Theertham

About The Deity

Arasilinathar is also known as Aswatheswarar. Lord Shiva as a small swayambumrthi Linga graces the devotees under a Rudraksha (108 beads) Pandal – tent. The arrow scar on the Linga is still visible.Both as a mark of respect to the Lord and as if to cover the scar injury, a turban is tied on the Linga during the pujas. This Siva Lingam is said to have disappeared during sage Vamadeva period and again reappeared for Chalukya King Satyavratan. Hence the place is called as Olunthiyapattu (Ozhinthu in Tamil means “lost” and Agapatathu means “got back”. Ozhinthu + Agapatathu = Olunthiyapattu in due course). Mother Perianayaki graces from a separate shrine facing south. Other deities are koshtam Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Vishnu durgai and Vaishnavai.

Legend and Stories

Sage Vamadeva had visited several Shiva sthalas seeking relief from a curse he incurred. When he came to this place, he relaxed for a while under an Arasu tree thinking how pleasant would it be if Lord Shiva was there under the tree. Knowing the Sage’s wish, Lord appeared there as a swayambumurthy, relieved Vamadeva of his curse. The sage immediately had a bath in the nearby spring, installed the Linga and worshipped. As Lord appeared under an Arasu tree, He is named Arasaleeswarar and the place Arasili. In the days that followed, the Shivalinga in the place had disappeared. The region was under the rule of Chalukya king Satyavradhan. He was a staunch Shiva devotee. He had no issues. He created a garden, installed another Shivalinga in the place and was worshipping. One day his servant found the plants without flowers and informed the matter. The king did not take it seriously. The servant had to repeat the news next day too. To catch the flower thief, the king closely watched the place in the wee hours and found that a deer was happily eating the flowers. The king was angry that an animal ate the flowers meant for Shiva Puja and shot an arrow. The deer escaped and hid in the hole in the Arasu tree. The king shot an arrow at the tree. The tree bled. The king thought that the animal was wounded and looked into the hole but found a Shivalinga only and not the deer. It was the Linga that disappeared long back. The king bowed before the bleeding Lord and sought His directions. Lord appeared before the king and said that the deer was but He. He blessed the king with children. The temple came into being with the efforts of the king.

Festivals

The ten day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam in May-June, Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Thanksgiving

Realizing their wishes, devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and do Angapradakshinam-rolling around the prakara.

Significance

It is believed that performing an abishek to Lord with the leaves of Arasu tree would bring back the positions lost by the devotee earlier and also reward with promotions.

Nearby Places to Visit

1. Aadhi Tiruvarangam Perumal Temple
2. Sivalokanathar Temple
3. Swarnakadeswarar Temple
4. Atulya Nadeswarar Temple
5. Maha Kaleswarar Temple
6. Selva Lalithambikai Temple

Accessibility

The nearest airport is at Chennai. The nearest railway station is at Dindivanam. This temple can be reached either from Tindivanam or Puducherry. The place called Olunthiyapattu is located on the highway 66 from Tindivanam to Puducherry passing via Kiliyanur. Temple is located at about 2 kms inside from the highway. There are no direct buses to the temple. Auto facility is available from a nearby place called Thiruchitrambalam Koot road which can be reached by bus from Tindivanam.

Temple Address

Sri Arasaleeswarar Temple,
(Arasili)Ozhindhiampattu-605 109,
Villupuram district.