Kediliyappar temple, TiruKeezhvelur
Location
Tiru-Keezhvelur
Deity
Kediliyappar, Akshaya Lingeswarar
Female Deity
Sundara Kuchaambikai
Pathikam
Sambandar - 1, Tirunavukarasar - 1
Kediliyappar Temple Photos
How to Reach
This shiva temple is located 14 Kms from Nagapattinam on the way to Tiruvarur via Sikkal, by NH 67 road.
Temple Address
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Nearby Divya Desams
Temple Layout
Maadakovil
The Keezhvelur temple is one of the many Maadakovils built by Kochengat Chola, the Chola king revered as the “Spider Chola.” Located in the centre of the village and facing east, the temple is a large and impressive structure. Its seven-tiered Rajagopuram faces east, with the Saravana Theertham, believed to have been created by Lord Muruga, situated directly opposite it. Within the temple is a Vasantha Mandapam. The presiding deity, Kediliyappar, is a Swayambhu Linga, with a large Avudaiyar and a slender Bana. The southern side of the temple's vimana is crowned by the Somasakanda Vimana, while the northern side has the Kediliyappar Vimana. The principal Vinayaka shrine is dedicated to Bhadri Vinayaka, while Sundara Vinayaka is also worshipped here.
Shrines & Deities
On the elevated mound within the temple, Nataraja is enshrined in the unique posture of His right foot raised. This is the place where Nataraja is believed to have revealed this form to Sage Agastya. The sannidhi of Somasakandar is situated next. The temple also houses sannidhis dedicated to Dakshinamurthy, Bhadri Vinayaka, the Sixty-Three Nayanmars, Jwaradevar, Agastheeswarar, Viswanathar and the Navagrahas. The Goshta Murtha adorning the western wall of the sanctum features Lingodbhavar, Mahalakshmi and Shiva Anjaneya. The sannidhi of Goddess Sundaragujambikai faces south. A separate sannidhi dedicated to Kubera is another distinctive feature of this temple. Anju Vattathu Amman, who is believed to have protected Muruga from any harm during His worship and penance, is situated separately in the first prakaram, to the north, opposite the sannidhi of Muruga. In addition, are the five Pancha Bhoota Lingas enshrined in separate sannidhis.
The Mukkuruni Vinayaka, known as Sri Sundara Vinayakar, is especially revered and believed to be very powerful. The idol of Dakshinamurthy is considered to be of great antiquity. The Ekapaada Murthy at this temple is another unique and noteworthy feature. The image of Kali is made of stucco and, therefore, is not subjected to abhishekam. Instead, Punugu paste and Sambarani oil are applied to the deity.
Special Significance of Muruga
Keezhvelur is one of the sacred places associated with the Thiruppugazh. Muruga here is enshrined as Balasubramaniyar, facing north in a celibate form, with one face and four arms. It is believed that the idols of Muruga at Tiruchendur and Keezhvelur were sculpted by the same artisan.
Sthala Puranam
Legend of the Temple
According to legend, when the Devas and Asuras joined together to churn the Milky Ocean, a drop of the nectar that emerged was split into two and fell to the earth. One of the drops fell in northern India and became known as North-Badhrikaaranyam. The other fell in Tamil Nadu in southern India, where it became a sacred forest of Ilanthai trees and came to be known as South-Badhrikaaranyam. “Badari” means the Ilanthai (jujube) tree, and this place, once filled with Ilanthai trees, came to be known as Badharika-Aaaranyam – the forest of jujube tree. The Ilanthai tree is also the sacred Sthala Vriksham of this temple.
Muruga, in order to protect the Devas, vanquished the demon Surapadman and his followers at Tiruchendur. Seeking relief from the Veerahathi Dosha incurred by slaying the Asuras, He approached His father, Shiva, and asked how He could be freed from it. Shiva instructed Him to worship Him, manifested here as a Swayambhu Linga, at the sacred sannidhi of Keezhvelur, revered as Dakshina Badarika Aranyam. He advised Murugan to perform Navalinga Puja, and undertake penance here to overcome the dosha.
Following His father's divine command, Muruga came to Keezhvelur and created a water source by piercing the earth with His spear (Vel). He then installed and worshipped nine Lingas in the nine villages situated around Keezhvelur in the eight directions—Kadambanur, Azhiyur, Ilan-Kadambanur, Perun-Kadambanur, Kadambar Vazhkai, Valla Mangalam, Pattamangalam, Sottalvannam and Odhiyathur. He subsequently bathed in the Saravana Poigai, worshipped Kediliyappar, the Swayambhu manifestation of Shiva here, and prayed for relief from the Veerahathi Dosha. At that time, the Veerahathis, in the form of negative forces, attempted to disturb Muruga's penance. Immediately, Sri Sundaragujambikai, who is normally of a peaceful and benevolent nature, assumed the fierce form of Bhadra Kali. Facing north and bearing ten arms, She stood guard, protecting Muruga from disturbances approaching from the four directions and the five outer quarters. Hence, the Goddess is also revered by the name Anju Vattathu Amman. Muruga continues to grace devotees here in the form of a young ascetic engaged in penance.
Tevaram Hymns
The presiding deity is known as Kediliyappar. This name is mentioned by Tirunavukkarasar (Appar Swamigal) in his hymn. In every verse, Appar Swamigal declares that those who seek Kediliyappar will be protected from harm and blessed with a life free from affliction.
The name of the Goddess, Vanamulai Nayaki, is mentioned by Tirugyanasambandar in the second verse of his hymn, beginning with “Min Ulaviya Sadaiyinar,” where he refers to Her as the Goddess with beautiful, graceful breasts adorned with jingling anklets. Tirugnanasambandar also repeatedly refers to this temple as a Perunthirukkoil—a great and magnificent temple—in several verses of his hymn. Thus, the names of both the presiding deity and the Goddess, as well as the temple itself, are glorified in the Tevaram hymns. Tirugnanasambandar further declares that those who recite the hymns he has sung in praise of this sacred place are assured of attaining Siva Gati.
Special Significance
Kediliyappar is believed to remove all doshas from those who seek His grace and bless them with a prosperous life free from affliction. Mother Sundara Kuchambikai, in Her infinite compassion, is believed to graciously bestow whatever devotees seek without denying their prayers. A visit to Keezhvelur and a darshan of the deities at least once in one's lifetime is therefore regarded as a means of receiving divine blessings and attaining every form of prosperity and well-being.
Temple Special Features
- Keezhvelur is the sacred place where Lord Muruga was relieved of the Veerahathi Dosha incurred from slaying the demon Surapadman and his followers at Tiruchendur.
- On Shiva's command, Muruga pierced the earth with His Vel to create a water source here, and installed nine Lingas in nine surrounding villages spread across the eight directions.
- This is the place where Muruga bathed in the Saravana Poigai and worshipped the Swayambhu deity Kediliyappar to rid Himself of the Veerahathi Dosha.
- Goddess Sundara-Kuchambikai assumed the fierce form of Bhadra Kali to guard Muruga's penance from disturbance, earning Her the name Anju Vattathu Amman. Revered as Dakshina Badarika Aranyam, it is believed that devotees who seek this temple will lead a life free from affliction.
Kediliyappar Temple Photos
