Arulmigu kediliyappar Thirukkovil Akshaya Lingeswarar Temple

Overview

One of the 276 Thevara Paadal petras sthalams.Keezhvelur Kediliappar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located at Keezhvelur in Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of the place is Keevalur. The temple has been glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar. This is the 84th Lord Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery lauded in hymns. The templs is said to be around 1000 to 2000 years old. This is one of the Mada Temples built by the Chola king, Kotchengannan. The Anju Vattathu Amman Koil here is quite popular amongst the devotees. The temple also houses the Shiva Linga worshipped by Sage Agasthya. Lord Nataraja s said to have given darshan to Sage Agasthya in a unique pose while dancing. The idol of Lord Natraja is depicted as squeezing hs right leg with ten hands. The deities and sages who have worhipped Lord Shiv of this sthala include Vishnu, Brahma, Indira, Agni, Yama, Chandra, Vayu, Sages Vasishta and Markandeya, Dhunmathi and Chandra Gupta.

About the Temple :

The temple is built at an elevation on the hillock known as Chitrakootagiri .The sanctum sanctorum of the temple and the 7 level Rajagopuram are facing the eastern direction. The temple consists of two prakaras. The first praakara consists of small shrines for Lord Muruga, Nataraja, Somaskanda (Muruga in between his parenst, Shiva and Parvathi), Dakshinamurthy, Viswanathar, Kailasanathar, Brgatheeswarar, Annamalayar, Jambukeswara, Mother Badrakali and Sage Agasthya. The sanctums for Lord Muruga and Kubera, the Lord of Wealth, are huge in size. Sri Vinayaka of the temple is worshipped as Lord Badri Vinayaka. This shrine has been glorified by Muthuswamy Deekshitar, one of the musical trinities of southern classical music, kriti “Akshaya Linga Vibho” in the raga Sankarabharanam. The Sthala vrikshams are Badri and Ilandhai. There are seven sthala theertams for this temple. They are Saravana poigai, Agni, Sesha, Brahmma, Surya, Chandra and Kubera Theerthams

About The Deity

The temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as Kediliappar. He is also known as Akshayalinga Swami. Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. His consort, Parvati, is known as Vanamulai Amman, Sundara Gujambal.

Legend/Story:

In order to cleanse himself of the sin he had incurred while slaying the Asuraaa, Surapadma, Lord Skanda went to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva directed Krthikeya to create a spring in Keezh Velur and worship him to achieve the purpose. Lord Muruga, along with his Nava-Nine commanders, reached Keezh Velur to proceed with his prayers. As a prelude to the worship, Lord Muruga made a Vinayaka with turmeric (Manjal in Tamil) powder. Turmeric denotes auspiciousness, otherwise known as Badra. Hence Lord Vinayaka cem to be known as Badri Vinayaka and the place near Velur came to be known as Manjadi. With the help of Maya the celestial sculptor, Lord Skanda built a beautiful Temple for Lord Shiva with a Vimana called Pushkala Vimana. With the help of his Spear (Vel) he created a spring on the east entrance, and took bath in the water along with his commanders and his army. Completing all the preludes, Lord Muruga began his deep penance on Lord Shiva. As the penance grew intense, evil spirits began to spoil the Lord’s penance. Lord Muruga reached out to his mother, Sakthi and sought her help. Mother Parvathi, appeared in the form of Anju Vattathu Amman – Mother covering five circles – four directions and the sky and destroyed the evil spirits thereby protecting Lord Muruga and his penance.

Festival:

Brahmmotsavam on Chitra Poornima-full moon day in April-May. Maha Sivatatri and monthly pradoshams are grandly celebrated in this temple.

Prasad & Offering

Prayers

People pray to cleanse themselves of sins and hostile effects of spirits.

Thanks giving:

Once their wishes are realised, devotees contribute for the renovation of the temple.

Near By Temple

Ponvaithanaathar
Swarnapureeswarar
Padaleswarar
Satchinathar
Sarguna Nathar
Kaichinneswarar

Significance :

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. People pray to cleanse themselves of sins and adverse aspects of spirits. Realizing their wishes, devotees contribute what they could for the renovation of the temple.

Accessibility

Location :

Keezh Velur is 16 km far from Tiruvarur on the Nagapattinam route.

Near By Railway Station :

Keezh Velur.

Near By Airport :

Trichy, Chennai

Address:

Sri Kediliappar-Akshayalinga Swamy Temple,
Keezh Velur-611 104,
Tiruvarur district