Vilwavaneswarar, Virachilai
God
Vilwavaneswarar, facing east
Goddess
Rakshawardhini, facing east
Other Deities
Vinayakar, Kannimoolai Vinayakar, Twin Lingams, Rameswarar, Kasi Visvanathar, Visalakshi, Arumuga with consorts, 2 Bhairavas, Saneeswara, Navagraha. Sanctum Niches – Ganesa, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara.
Vilwavaneswarar, Virachilai is a an old east facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance on the South. A mantapam is before the Rajagopuram. Another entrance is on the east side. Before the temple extending on the south and east side is an L-shaped Temple Tank which is visible from the sanctum of the main deity and goddess. The temple has a single large prakaram that houses all the shrines and the sanctum sanctorum. Many of the idols here are two in number and of similar shape and size including the Bhairava, which is considered an unique feature. Another unique feature here is that the Chandikeswara shrine has the entrance on the east side. There is a statue of a person who could be one of the descendants of the Thondaiman Dynasty on one of the pillars in front. Adaikkalam Kaththa Ambal Temple and Chevvai Festival are famous in Virachilai.
Holy Water – Temple Tank
Holy Tree – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)
History
Vilwavaneswarar, Virachilai is an old temple. There are a number of inscriptions all around. The details of the inscriptions are not available as of now. Virachilai was under Pudukkottai Samasthanam since 17th century and was under the rule of the Thondaimans of Pudukkottai.
Legend
The name Veera Salai which changed to present days Virachilai is believed to have been named by Lord Rama. The area is also said to have had a lot of Vilwam trees giving the Lord here his name.
Directions
Vilwavaneswarar, Virachilai is about 22 kilometers south west of Pudukottai and can be reached from Nachandupati and Panayapatti, both on the Pudukottai to Ponnamaravathi road.
Food and Stay
None locally. The closest place for food and stay would be Pudukottai.