Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
A tall tiered gopuram of grey stone with a Tamil sign, and a smaller domed tower to its right
Swayambu

Thiru Arayaninallur Sri Athulyanatheswarar Temple 12th of 22 in Nadu Nadu · Temples near Villupuram

Darshan today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
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Moolavar
Athulyanatheswarar, Oppilaa Maneeswarar, Arayani Nathar
Ambal
Soundarya Kanakambigai, Arul Nayagi, Azhakiya Ponnazhagi
Theertham
Thenpennai river, Pandava Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Vilva Tree
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 1,000 words · 5 min

Visited on: 10th March, 2017

Location

Thiru Arayaninallur temple is located at a distance of about 3 kms from Thirukkovilur on the Villupuram route. It is about 38 kms from Thiruvannamalai and 36 kms from Villupuram. This temple is opposite to the Thirukkoyilur railway station at a distance of about one kilometre from it.

General Information

Moolavar
Sri Athulyanatheswarar, Sri Oppilaa Maneeswarar, Sri Arayani Nathar
Ambal
Sri Soundarya Kanakambigai, Sri Arul Nayagi, Sri Azhakiya Ponnazhagi
Theertham (Holy water)
Thenpennai river, Pandava Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Vilva Tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 12th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • The west facing temple has three corridors and its huge (160 feet high) main tower (Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers.
  • The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 06.02.2003.

History of the Temple

The temple is on the southern bank of the river Pennai. It is believed to have been constructed during the 7th century by the Pallava kings. This temple is built on top of a rock (Paarai). The rock and the nearby river bring out the beauty of this temple.

There are two entrances - one through the main road and the other through the river-side which is very scenic.

In Tamil, “Arai (Paarai)” means rock and “Ani” means beauty. Hence, the lord here is named as “Araiani Nathar” – the Lord who is beautifully seated on top of a rock. This place was earlier called “Arayaninallur” and its name has since been changed to Arakandanallur.

A flight of broad stone steps rising to a tiered gopuram with a dark doorway

Legend

It is believed that the doors of the sanctum sanctorum of this temple had been locked by the Jains (Samanars). The door was opened by Lord Shiva himself for Thirugnanasambanthar's song. Also, in order to prevent Sambanthar from entering this temple, it is believed that people from other faiths had blocked the entrance to this temple’s shrine by placing huge rocks and boulders. The power of Sambanthar’s hymn is believed to have miraculously moved those rocks.

It is also believed that both Pradosha Nandhi and Adhikara Nandhi leaned to the right and left sides respectively in order to facilitate easy dharisanam of the Lord to the Saint Thirugnanasambanthar. Even now both Nandhis are seen facing opposite directions.

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar worshipped the Lord Annamalayar of Thiruvannamalai from this temple itself. Annamalayar hill can be seen from this temple.

There is a stone imprint of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar’s feet in the outer corridor from where it is believed that he worshipped Lord Annamalaiyar and rendered a Pathigam.

A tiered gopuram behind a bare rocky courtyard, with a black stone Nandi in the foreground
A tall flagstaff on a whitewashed base and a carved stone altar beside a stone wall
A stepped black stone pedestal with lotus-petal carving and a few petals on it

Another version of this story mentions that Thirugnanasambanthar was unable to visit Thiruvannamalai. Instead, he installed a lingam for Sri Annamalaiyar at this place and worshiped the lord here itself.

Another legend is that the Pandavas visited Arankandanallur and stayed here for some days during their exile. There are five cave rooms under the temple’s main tower which were used by them. There is also a water tank near this tower, which is believed to have been created by Bhima with his mace. It is also believed that after the war (Mahabharat) which lasted for 18 days, the Pandavas regained their kingdom and visited this temple again to offer their prayers.

A huge rock face resting on short stone pillars, with dark gaps and green plants below
A tiered gopuram at the left, a whitewashed stone wall and green trees under a cloudy sky

It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu took the form of Vamana and destroyed King Mahabali at Thirukovilur, where he is worshipped as “Sri Ulagalandha Perumal”. To absolve himself from this sin, he prayed to Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Mahavishnu and absolved him from his sins. Goddess Sridevi, consort of Lord Mahavishnu, also got the blessings of Lord Shiva here.

Rishi Prasanda, Poet Kabilar, Rishi Neelakandar are believed to have worshiped the lord of this temple.

It is believed that as a young boy, before going to Thiruvannamalai, Sri Ramana Maharishi meditated at this temple.

A stone shrine with a domed tower and Nandi figures on the parapet, in dim evening light

Sri Annamalaiyar Shrine

A tall carved gopuram under a clear sky, with a smaller domed shrine tower beside it
An open stone mandapam with square pillars and white figures standing along its roof edge
A stone shrine doorway with a dark idol inside and many sculpted figures on the tower above
A stone shrine with a domed tower, a Nandi on its parapet and a long wall behind

Deities in the Temple

Shrines and idols of Lords Valampuri Vinayakar, Bala Murugan, Narthana Ganapathi, Murugan with his consorts, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbavar, Mahavishnu, Sridevi, Brahma, Jyeshta Devi, Navagraham, Nalvar, Sankara Narayanar, Hanuman, Gajalakshmi, Vishnudurgai (south facing), Saptha Mathakkal, Kala Bairavar (without his vahanam) can be seen in the corridors. There is also a separate idol of Lord Saneeswaran.

The circumambulatory path around the sanctum sanctorum is in the form of a covered, raised platform, popularly called “Thirunadaimaaligai” in those days.

Shrines of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Sri Ramana Maharishi can also be seen next to the Nalvars. It is believed that both Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Sri Ramana Maharishi had experienced the divine grace of the lord of this temple.

There is a separate shrine for Goddess Soundarya Kanakambigai in the outer corridor. Lord Annamalaiyar’s shrine can also be seen near it.

Salient Features

The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).

Goddess Vishnudurgai is facing the south. This is very rare.

The navagraham contains a unique idol of Lord Saneeswaran with one leg placed on top of his mount (crow).

Another unique feature here is that Lord Bhairavar is found without his mount which is a very rare occurrence.

Nearby temples of Sri Ulagalantha Perumal and Sri Veerateeswarar can be seen from the top of this hill.

There is an idol of Sri Ramana Maharishi as a young boy in a meditative posture and the temple is visited by many of his followers.

Four small black idols in white cloth on a stone platform, with Tamil names painted on the wall
A small stone shrine with a quilted canopy and a dark idol in white cloth, name painted above
A seated black stone figure of a young boy in a cloth, in a small stone shrine with a lamp

Sri Ramana Maharishi

A black stone goddess in a green sari and flower garlands, under a carved arch with a bull at her feet
A black stone standing figure with several arms in a white cloth, name painted on the wall above

Greatness of this temple

Since the Pandavas worshiped the lord here and got back their kingdom, it is believed that by worshiping the lord here, devotees can regain their lost positions and wealth.

Important Festivals

10 day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-March) and Tirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec) are the important festivals observed in the temple. Pradosham is observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 07:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 04:00 PM to 07:00 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Athulyanatheswarar Temple
Arakandanallur Post
Thirukovilur Taluk
Villupuram District
Tamil Nadu – 605 752.
Tele: +91-93456 60711.

This temple's priest can be contacted at +91 99651 44849.

*
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Today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Phone+91-93456 60711
A tall tiered gopuram with a Tamil sign and a smaller carved tower, under a clear blue sky

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

A temple on a rock with rare idols

The temple stands on a rock beside the river, and its sanctum is shaped like a semi-circular tank. The idols here include some described as rare.

  1. Sanctum shaped like a tankThe sanctum sanctorum is in the form of a semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).
  2. Vishnudurgai facing southGoddess Vishnudurgai is facing the south, which is described as very rare.
  3. A unique SaneeswaranThe navagraham has a unique idol of Lord Saneeswaran with one leg placed on top of his mount, the crow.
  4. Bhairavar without a mountLord Bhairavar is found without his mount, which is described as very rare.
Significance

A sung sthalam of the Pandavas and the saint

Sung in the Pathigam of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, this temple is linked with the Pandavas, Lord Mahavishnu and Sri Ramana Maharishi.

  1. Its place among the sthalamsIt is the 12th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu among the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
  2. Opened for the saint's songThe sanctum doors are believed to have been opened by Lord Shiva himself for Thirugnanasambanthar's song.
  3. Where the Pandavas stayedThe Pandavas are said to have stayed here during their exile and to have returned to pray after regaining their kingdom.
  4. Mahavishnu absolvedLord Shiva blessed Lord Mahavishnu here and absolved him from his sins.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come to pray for lost positions and wealth, for the festivals and to see the Ramana Maharishi shrine.

  1. For lost positions and wealth: regainSince the Pandavas worshiped here and got back their kingdom, devotees believe they can regain lost positions and wealth.
  2. For the festivalsBrahmotsavam in Vaikasi, Maha Shivrathri in Masi and Tirukarthikai in Karthikai are the important festivals observed here.
  3. For the Ramana Maharishi shrineThere is an idol of Sri Ramana Maharishi as a young boy, and many of his followers visit the temple.
Stone steps leading up to the Rajagopuram
276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

One of the sung sthalams

What the name means

  1. அறைrock (Paarai)
  2. அணிbeauty

The Lord is named for sitting beautifully on top of a rock.

Arayaninallur

    Legends of the temple

    The doors of the sanctum were believed locked by the Jains and opened by Lord Shiva for Thirugnanasambanthar's song.

    Pradosha Nandhi and Adhikara Nandhi are believed to have leaned aside so the saint could have easy dharisanam of the Lord.

    The Pandavas stayed here during their exile, using the cave rooms under the main tower.

    Lord Mahavishnu prayed to Lord Shiva here to absolve himself from his sin.

    Saints and sages at this temple

    1. ThirugnanasambantharWorshipped Lord Annamalayar of Thiruvannamalai from this temple, and a stone imprint of his feet is in the outer corridor.
    2. Sri Ramana MaharishiAs a young boy, before going to Thiruvannamalai, he meditated at this temple.
    3. Rishi Prasanda, Kabilar, Rishi NeelakandarRishi Prasanda, Poet Kabilar and Rishi Neelakandar are believed to have worshiped the Lord of this temple.

    Saints, sages and a poet are said to have worshiped here.

    Festivals

      Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi, Maha Shivrathri in Masi and Tirukarthikai in Karthikai are observed, and Pradosham regularly.

      Deities

      The deities of this temple

      * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

      From the sanctum to the corridors
      Moolavarஅ
      Moolavar

      Sri Athulyanatheswarar, Sri Oppilaa Maneeswarar, Sri Arayani Nathar

      Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

      Ambalசௌ
      Ambal

      Sri Soundarya Kanakambigai

      There is a separate shrine for Goddess Soundarya Kanakambigai in the outer corridor.

      A stone shrine doorway with a dark idol inside and many sculpted figures on the tower above
      Shrine in the corridor

      Brahma

      Shrines and idols of Lords Brahma and others can be seen in the corridors.

      A black stone goddess in a green sari and flower garlands, under a carved arch with a bull at her feet
      Shrine in the corridor

      Vishnudurgai

      Goddess Vishnudurgai is facing the south. This is very rare.

      A black stone standing figure with several arms in a white cloth, name painted on the wall above
      Shrine in the corridor

      Bhairavar

      Lord Bhairavar is found without his mount, which is a very rare occurrence.

      Four small black idols in white cloth on a stone platform, with Tamil names painted on the wall
      Shrine in the corridor

      Nalvar

      Shrines and idols of Nalvar can be seen in the corridors.

      A small stone shrine with a quilted canopy and a dark idol in white cloth, name painted above
      Shrine in the corridor

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

      Shrines of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Sri Ramana Maharishi can also be seen next to the Nalvars.

      A seated black stone figure of a young boy in a cloth, in a small stone shrine with a lamp
      Shrine in the corridor

      Sri Ramana Maharishi

      There is an idol of Sri Ramana Maharishi as a young boy in a meditative posture.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Thiru Arayaninallur Thirukkovilur Thiru Idayaru Thiruvennainallur Gramam Thiruvamathur Thirunavalur Puravaar Panangkatur Thiruthuraiyur
      You are hereThis temple

      Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
      7:00 – 10:004:00 – 7:00 pm

      Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Athulyanatheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur Post, Thirukovilur Taluk, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu – 605 752. This temple's priest can be contacted at +91 99651 44849.

      +91-93456 60711

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 41.2 km in straight lines.

      Map of Thiru Arayaninallur and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Thirukkovilur, Thiru Idayaru, Thiruvennainallur, Gramam, Thiruvamathur. Thiru Arayaninallur 1 2 Thiru Idayaru 3 Thiruvennainallur 4 Gramam 5 Thiruvamathur 5 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.
      1. 1 ThirukkovilurSri Veeratteswarar Temple1.1 km from the last stop
      2. 2 Thiru IdayaruSri Marudeeswarar Temple16.3 km from the last stop
      3. 3 ThiruvennainallurSri Krupapureeswarar Temple4.9 km from the last stop
      4. 4 GramamSri Sivalokanathar Temple4.3 km from the last stop
      5. 5 ThiruvamathurSri Abirameswarar Temple14.7 km from the last stop
      Open this route in Google Maps →

      Temple plan

      A flight of broad stone steps rising to a tiered gopuram with a dark doorway
      01

      The main gate

      Thiru Arayaninallur temple is located at a distance of about 3 kms from Thirukkovilur on the Villupuram route.

      1 / 6

      Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

      Pathigam

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

      Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 11.

      Peeṭiṉāṟperi yōrkaḷum pēthaimaikeṭath theethilā
      veeṭiṉāluyarn thārkaḷum veeṭilāriḷa veṇmathi
      chūṭiṉārmaṟai pāṭiṉār suṭalainīṟaṇin thārazhal
      āṭiṉār aṟaiyaṇi nallūr aṅkaiyāl thozhuvārkaḷē

      The Lord wore the young white crescent moon, sang the Vedas, wore the ash of the cremation ground and danced in fire. The verse speaks of great people who gain liberation and lose their ignorance. They are those who worship him with folded palms at Arayaninallur.

      Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

      Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

      All eleven verses

      1. 01

        பீடினாற்பெரி யோர்களும் பேதைமைகெடத் தீதிலாவீடினாலுயர்ந் தார்களும் வீடிலாரிள வெண்மதிசூடினார்மறை பாடினார் சுடலைநீறணிந் தாரழல்ஆடினார் அறையணி நல்லூர் அங்கையால் தொழுவார்களே

        Peeṭiṉāṟperi yōrkaḷum pēthaimaikeṭath theethilā / veeṭiṉāluyarn thārkaḷum veeṭilāriḷa veṇmathi / chūṭiṉārmaṟai pāṭiṉār suṭalainīṟaṇin thārazhal / āṭiṉār aṟaiyaṇi nallūr aṅkaiyāl thozhuvārkaḷē

      2. 02

        இலையினார்சூலம் ஏறுகந் தேறியேயிமை யோர்தொழநிலையினாலொரு காலுறச் சிலையினால்மதி லெய்தவன் அலையினார்புனல்சூடிய அண்ணலார்அறை யணிநல்லூர் தலையினால்தொழு தோங்குவார் நீங்குவார்தடு மாற்றமே

        Ilaiyiṉārsūlam ēṟukan thēṟiyēyimai yōrthozha / nilaiyiṉāloru kāluṟach chilaiyiṉālmathi leythavaṉ / alaiyiṉārpuṉalsūṭiya aṇṇalār'aṟai yaṇinallūr / thalaiyiṉālthozhu thōṅkuvār nīṅkuvārthaṭu mātṟamē

      3. 03

        என்பினார்கனல் சூலத்தார் இலங்குமாமதி யுச்சியான்பின்பினாற்பிறங் குஞ்சடைப் பிஞ்ஞகன்பிறப் பிலியென்று முன்பினார்மூவர் தாந்தொழு முக்கண்மூர்த்திதன் தாள்களுக்கன்பினார்அறை யணிநல்லூர் அங்கையால்தொழு வார்களே

        Eṉpiṉārkaṉal chūlathār ilaṅkumāmathi yuchiyāṉ / piṉpiṉāṟpiṟaṅ kuñchaṭaip piñjakaṉpiṟap piliyeṉtṟu / muṉpiṉārmūvar thānthozhu mukkaṇmūrthithaṉ thāḷkaḷuk / kaṉpiṉār'aṟai yaṇinallūr aṅkaiyālthozhu vārkaḷē

      4. 04

        விரவுநீறுபொன் மார்பினில் விளங்கப்பூசிய வேதியன்உரவுநஞ்சமு தாகவுண் டுறுதிபேணுவ தன்றியும்அரவுநீள்சடைக் கண்ணியார் அண்ணலாரறை யணிநல்லூர் பரவுவார்பழி நீங்கிடப் பறையுந்தாஞ்செய்த பாவமே

        Viravunīṟupoṉ mārpiṉil viḷaṅkappūsiya vētihyaṉ / uravunanjakamu thākavuṇ ṭuṟuthipēṇuva thaṉtṟiyum / aravunīḷsaṭaik kaṇṇiyār aṇṇalāraṟai yaṇinallūr / paravuvārpazhi nīṅkiṭap paṟaiyunthānjseytha pāvamē

      5. 05

        தீயினார்திகழ் மேனியாய் தேவர்தாந்தொழும் தேவன்நீஆயினாய் கொன்றை யாய்அன லங்கையாய் அறை யணிநல்லூர்மேயினார்தம தொல்வினை வீட்டினாய்வெய்ய காலனைப் பாயினாயதிர் கழலினாய் பரமனேயடி பணிவனே

        Thīyiṉārthikazh mēṉiyāy thēvarthānthozhum thēvaṉnī / āyiṉāy koṉtṟai yāyaṉa laṅkaiyāy aṟai yaṇinallūr / mēyiṉārthama tholviṉai vīṭṭiṉāyveyya kālaṉaip / pāyiṉāyathir kazhaliṉāy paramaṉēyaṭi paṇivaṉē

      6. 06

        விரையினார் கொன்றை சூடியும் வேகநாகமும் வீக்கியஅரையினார் அறை யணிநல்லூர் அண்ணலார் அழகாயதோர்நரையினார்விடை யூர்தியார் நக்கனார் நறும்போதுசேர்உரையினாலுயர்ந் தார்களும் உரையினாலுயர்ந் தார்களே

        Viraiyiṉār koṉtṟai chūṭiyum vēkanākamum vīkkiya / araiyiṉār aṟai yaṇinallūr aṇṇalār azhakāyathōr / naraiyiṉārviṭai yūrthiyār nakkaṉār naṟumpōthusēr / uraiyiṉāluyarnth thārkaḷum uraiyiṉāluyarnth thārkaḷē

      7. 07

        வீரமாகிய வேதியர் வேகமாகளி யானையின்ஈரமாகிய வுரிவைபோர்த் தரிவைமேற்சென்ற எம்மிறைஆரமாகிய பாம்பினார் அண்ணலாரறை யணிநல்லூர்வாரமாய்நினைப் பார்கள்தம் வல்வினையவை மாயுமே

        Vīramākiya vēthiyar vēkamākaḷi yāṉaiyiṉ / īramākiya vurivaipōrth tharivaimēṟseṉtṟa em'miṟai / āramākiya pāmpiṉār aṇṇalāraṟai yaṇinallūr / vāramāyniṉaip pārkaḷtham valviṉaiyavai māyumē

      8. 08

        தக்கனார்பெரு வேள்வியைத் தகர்த்துகந்தவன் தாழ்சடைமுக்கணான்மறை பாடிய முறைமையான்முனி வர்தொழஅக்கினோடெழில் ஆமைபூண் அண்ணலாரறை யணிநல்லூர்நக்கனாரவர் சார்வலால் நல்குசார்விலோம் நாங்களே

        Thakkaṉārperu vēḷviyaith thakarthukanthavaṉ thāzhsaṭai / mukkaṇāṉmaṟai pāṭiya muṟaimaiyāṉmuṉi varthozha / akkiṉōṭezhil āmaipūṇ aṇṇalāraṟai yaṇinallūr / nakkaṉāravar sārvalāl nalkusārvilōm nāṅgkaḷē

      9. 09

        வெய்யநோயிலர் தீதிலர் வெறியராய்ப்பிறர் பின்செலார்செய்வதேயலங் காரமாம் இவையிவை தேறி யின்புறில்ஐயமேற்றுணுந் தொழிலராம் அண்ணலார் அறையணிநல்லூர்ச்சைவனாரவர் சார்வலால்யா துஞ்சார்விலோம் நாங்களே

        Veyyanōyilar thīthilar veṟiyarāyppiṟar piṉselār / seyvathēyalaṅg kāramām ivaiyivai thēṟi yiṉpuṟil / aiyamētṟuṇun thozhilarām aṇṇalār aṟaiyaṇinallūrch / saivaṉāravar sārvalālyā thuñsārvilōm nāṅkaḷē’

      10. 10

        வாக்கியஞ்சொல்லி யாரொடும் வகையலாவகை செய்யன்மின்சாக்கியஞ்சம ணென்றிவை சாரேலும்மர ணம்பொடிஆக்கியம்மழு வாட்படை அண்ணலாரறை யணிநல்லூர்ப்பாக்கியங்குறை யுடையீரேற் பறையுமாஞ்செய்த பாவமே

        Vākkiyañcholli yāroṭum vakaiyalāvakai seyyaṉmiṉ / sākkiyañchama ṇeṉtṟivai sārēlum'mara ṇampoṭi / ākkiyam'mazhu vāṭpaṭai aṇṇalāraṟai yaṇinallūrp / pākkiyaṅkuṟai yuṭaiyīrēṟ paṟaiyumāñseytha pāvamē’

      11. 11

        கழியுலாங்கடற் கானல்சூழ் கழுமலம்அமர் தொல்பதிப்பழியிலாமறை ஞானசம் பந்தன்நல்லதோர் பண்பினார்மொழியினால் அறை யணிநல்லூர் முக்கண்மூர்த்திகள் தாள்தொழக்கெழுவினாரவர் தம்மொடுங் கேடில்வாழ்பதி பெறுவரே

        The last verse names the singer as Gnanasambandan of Kazhumalam and says that those who worship the three-eyed Lord at Arayaninallur through these words will gain an imperishable home.

        Kazhiyulāṅkaṭaṟ kāṉalchūzh kazhumalamamar tholpathip / pazhiyilāmaṟai gñāṉasam banthaṉnallathōr paṇpiṉār / mozhiyiṉāl aṟai yaṇinallūr mukkaṇmūrthikaḷ thāḷthozhak / kezhuviṉāravar tham'moṭuṅg kēṭilvāzhpathi peṟuvarē

      Photos

      Photographs

      18 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

      A tall tiered gopuram of grey stone with a Tamil sign, and a smaller domed tower to its right
      A flight of broad stone steps rising to a tiered gopuram with a dark doorway
      A tiered gopuram behind a bare rocky courtyard, with a black stone Nandi in the foreground
      A tall flagstaff on a whitewashed base and a carved stone altar beside a stone wall
      A stepped black stone pedestal with lotus-petal carving and a few petals on it
      A huge rock face resting on short stone pillars, with dark gaps and green plants below
      A tiered gopuram at the left, a whitewashed stone wall and green trees under a cloudy sky
      A stone shrine with a domed tower and Nandi figures on the parapet, in dim evening light
      A tall carved gopuram under a clear sky, with a smaller domed shrine tower beside it
      An open stone mandapam with square pillars and white figures standing along its roof edge
      A stone shrine doorway with a dark idol inside and many sculpted figures on the tower above
      A stone shrine with a domed tower, a Nandi on its parapet and a long wall behind
      Four small black idols in white cloth on a stone platform, with Tamil names painted on the wall
      A small stone shrine with a quilted canopy and a dark idol in white cloth, name painted above
      A seated black stone figure of a young boy in a cloth, in a small stone shrine with a lamp
      A black stone goddess in a green sari and flower garlands, under a carved arch with a bull at her feet
      A black stone standing figure with several arms in a white cloth, name painted on the wall above
      A tall tiered gopuram with a Tamil sign and a smaller carved tower, under a clear blue sky