Azhagiyanathar, Kalappal, Tiruvarur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Azhagiyanathar	Ambal / Thayar:	Panneer Thenmozhiyal, Prabhanayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	– to – & – to –	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Vaippu sthalam	–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Kalappal	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Tiruvarur (33 km)	Nagapattinam (50 km)
	Kumbakonam (60 km)	Thanjavur (64 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

Kalappal, also known locally as Kovil Kalappal, is located between Mannargudi and Vedaranyam. It is believed that the name Kalappal could be derived from the Kalabhras (Kalapirar in Tamil), who once ruled Tamilakam between the 3^rd and 6^th century CE. Their reign is known as the “dark age”, since virtually no records are available from this period. According to another scholarly view, a tribe or clan named Kalappala may have lived here, giving the name its place.

In historical records, the place is referred to as Kalandhai, and also as Aditeswaram, after Aditya Chola (Aditya I, son of Vijayalaya Chola), during whose reign in the late 9^th century CE, this temple was built.

The temple is a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam, finding place in one of Sundarar’s pathigams.

Kalappal is also the avatara sthalam as well as mukti sthalam, of Kootruva Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmar saints in Saivism. Born on the day of Tiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August), this great devotee was a chieftain of this place, and over time, captured various towns and cities nearby due to the grace of the Lord. He got the name Kootruva, as he had split his vast territory into districts (kootru) during his reign. He wished that the three thousand dikshtars of Chidambaram would crown him, which to him was symbolic of the feet of the Lord being placed on his head. They however refused, as they owed allegiance to the Chola king. Therefore, the Nayanar prayed to Lord Siva, who Himself appeared before his devotee and crowned him by placing His divine feet on Nayanar’s head. Interestingly, the Nayanar is one of a handful of the 63 Nayanmars, who are not referred to by their name, but by their origin (in this case, ஆர்கொண்ட வேற்கூற்றன் களந்தைக்கோன், அடியேன்) in Sundarar’s Tiruthondar Thogai.

The temple is referred to in the Tiruvisaippaa, which, together with the Tirupallandu, forms the 9^th out of the 12 books that comprise the Tirumurai. One of the contributors to the Tiruvisaippa is Karuvur Thevar, and the temple is mentioned in one of his hymns. The Tiruvisaippa is itself dated to the 10^th century CE.

There are two features in this temple, which are quite uncommon – first is the 276 bana Lingams in one place, representing each of the Paadal Petra Sthalam temples; and the second is the maha vilvam tree, with 16 leaves / fronds in each branch.

There is an inscription in the temple from the time of the Pandya king Kulasekara Pandyan, referring to the deity here as Kalappal Udaiyar and Aditheswaramudaiyar.

Other information for your visit

The temple priest – Viswanatha Gurukkal – lives on the same street as the temple, and will be able to open the temple at most times, if he has not gone out to tend to other temples nearby.

Two Paadal Petra Sthalam temples – Tirukalar and Kottur – are located close to this temple.