Kailasanathar Temple

Overview : Sri Kailasanathar temple's main deity is God Shiva and the temple is located in the city of Ammankudi which lies in Thanjavyr which is in Tamil Nadu.It is said that this temple is about 500 to 1000 years old. The city which is named as Ammankudi also known as Rajarajeswaram where Devi Tapovanam which is placed near Kumbakonam in the district of Thanjavur.The temple is placed about 20 Kilometers and the main deities are Parvati and Kailasanatha Swamy. During the Chola period and also when Rajaraja Cholan I was ruling in this place in around 985 to 1014 AD this place was named by one of the titles of Rajaraja that is Keralaandhaka and this place was known as Ammankudi and Rajarajeswaram.This temple is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu and which stretches back around 1000 years old.It is also said that this place was a shelter for the chief of Rajaraja Cholan I army named as Krishnarama Brahmarayan.All the stones around the temple plays a major role in depicting that the temple was constructed by him in 944 AD.When Mahishasura was killed by Goddess Devi it is said that she took a Dip in the river named as Cauvery and then she reached Ammankudi.Devi cleaned her three-pronged spear which is also known as Trishul by which she killed Mahishasura.The Pond never gets dry during the worst weather condition of Summers.There was lingam all around the neck of Mahishasura ,Devi took that lingam from his neck and she installed Ammankudi which is also called by a name Kailasanathar. After that Devi went to a penance for 12 years which is in Ammankudi although Mahishasura was an evil force and Devi placed an Vinayaka Idol for herself so that she could go for the penance without any disturbance.Just when the 12th year was ending Kailasanatha appeared in front of Devi saying that all the evil effects of Killing Mahishasura has gone but still she needs to be in the Ammankudi just to protect her devotees.As Devi choose the pace her self, originally this place was known as Ammankudi but as the time passed the name was changed many times and was known by many other names but originally it was called as Ammankudi.Durga Parameswari is the main Deity which has eight hands was established here facing East, as this form where she is killing Mahishasura is known as Mahishasura Mardini.There are no different shrines of navagrahas in the temple as Devi herself presides navagrahas.