Alanthuraiyar, Kilapazhuvur, Ariyalur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Alandurayar	Ambal / Thayar:	Arumthavanayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tiruppazhuvur
Vriksham:	Aalamaram	Teertham:	Brahma Teertham, Parasurama Teertham
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6 to 12 & 4.30 to 8.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Vada Karai)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Kilapazhuvur	District:	Ariyalur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Ariyalur (12.8 km)	Perambalur (36.8 km)
	Thanjavur (37.6 km)	Kumbakonam (45.4 km)

Location

Also known as Keelapalur, Kilapazhuvur is located on the Trichy-Ariyalur and Tiruvaiyar-Ariyalur route, about 12 km from Ariyalur.

Sthala puranam and temple information

Once, Parvati – in a playful mood – closed the eyes of Siva, which are actually Suryan and Chandran. As a result, the world became dark and came to a complete halt. Lord Siva was angry at this playful act of Parvati’s and cursed her to be born on earth. Parvati came to earth in human form, and performed penance on one leg, in front of a Lingam she sculpted out of the mud. For this reason, Ambal here is called Arunthavanayaki. In ancient times, this place was known as Yogavanam, indicating it was the place of penance (yoga). The message here is that even what are considered playful acts could have disastrous consequences.

The temple sculptures include an image of Parvati performing her penance, standing on one leg.

Palu / pazhu, aala and vata are all different words in Tamil (and vata also in Sanskrit) for banyan tree. This place must have been a banyan forest, and for this reason, the place is called Paluvur / Pazhuvur (it is also likely that at some time, there was a river running nearby, which is why the place is called Keezhpazhuvur, indicating it is on the lower side of the river). In some literature, this place is also called Alanthurai (banyan grove). The deity is also called Vatamoolanathar, for the same reason – connection with the banyan tree.

Those interested in Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan might recognise Pazhuvur as the land of the Pazhuvettaraiyar brothers who served as the dhanadhikari and chief commander during the time of Sundara Chola.

Parasurama performed penance at several places, to be rid of the sin of killing his mother, which he did upon his father’s orders. This temple is regarded as one of the locations of his penance. At the entrance to the garbhagriham, there is a carving of a person lying down – regarded as Parasurama. Parasurama also created a tank here, which is the temple tank called Parasurama Teertham or Brahma Teertham.

This is a Chola temple, originally built by Parantaka Chola I, and renovated in the time of Sundara Chola (Parantaka II) and his successor Uttama Chola. The temple’s murtis include a bronze idol of Chandikeswarar performing Siva puja. The koshtams include several murtis, including a rarely-seen Gajasamharamurti. A fragrant oil, known as Sambirani thailam, is applied on the Lingam. The Lingam itself is very small, so a cup is placed over it, to help devotees identify and worship the Lord. In fact, abhishekam is done to the cup.