Kailasanadar, Rasipuram
Saivite Temples - Namakkal District
God
Kailasanadar, facing west
Goddess
Dharmasamvardhini, facing east
Other Deities
Vinayaka outside gopuram. Outer Prakaram – Surya, Sidhdhi Vinayaka, Gajalakshmi, Ekambaranadar, Kamakshi Amman, Sarralingeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Pancha Bhootha Lingams, Kala Bhairava, Saneeswara, Naalvar, 63 Nayanmar, Santhana Kuravargal Naalvar, Vinayaka, Ramanathaswamy, Naagar, Mahasaraswathi, Veerabadhra, Sakata Vinayaka. Inner Prakaram – Bala Dhandayudhapani, Subramanya with consorts, Navagraha, Vinayaka. Sanctum Niches – Chandikeswara, Durga, Lingotbavar, Dakshinamurthy
Kailasanadar Rasipuram is a large west-facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance. The Rajagopuram has a Mukha Mandapam and a large Vinayaka idol outside with a Nandi facing him. Outside the Rajagopuram is a carving of Ponparpi Nambi on a pillar. The main deity is clearly visible all the way from his viewpoint here. After the Rajagopuram is the outer Prakaram with the Pancha Bhootha Lingams on the northwest sidewall. Around the Prakaram are shrines including that of Kasiviswanathar and Ramanatheeswarar. On the southwest side under a Vanni Tree is the idol of Val Vil Ori who constructed the original temple here at Kailasanadar Rasipuram. The Flagstaff in front of the inner prakaram has the image of the boar that evaded hunting by Val Vil Ori and his Insignia. The Nandi here is a large and beautiful one. The inner Prakaram starts from inside the Mahamandapam and goes only around the sanctum of the main deity for circumambulation.
Holy Water (Theertham) – Sivaganga Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Nelli (Gooseberry – Phyllanthus emblica)
History
Kailasanadar Rasipuram is an ancient temple as is evident from the several inscriptions here. These inscriptions belong to Jatavaramn Sundara Pandyan I (regnal years 1251 – 1271 CE), Maravarman Vikrama Pandyan (regnal years 1268 – 1281 CE), Karia Perumal, a ruler of Rasipuram area (inscription dated 1443 CE), Vijayanagar period (inscription dated 1534 CE, Achyuta Deva Raya?), Chokkanatha Nayak (inscription dated 1671 CE) and one belonging to Azhagiya Chitrambala Gurukkal are found here at Kailasanadar Rasipuram. Saint Arunagirinathar (15th Century CE) has rendered hymns for Lord Muruga here at Kailasanadar Rasipuram in his Thirupugazh.
Legend
Kailasanadar Rasipuram is believed to have been built by Val Vil Ori. While he was hunting he saw a white boar and shot an arrow on it. It ran and hid into thick bushes and the king entered the bushes to discover a Lingam with a wound on the head and blood oozing on it. Realizing the miracle of the lord and regretting his action he installed the Lingam here at Kailasanadar Rasipuram and built the temple. Ponparpi Nambi, a low caste who would not be allowed inside the temple in those days, was granted darshan by the lord by moving aside everything on his way so that he could see him inside the sanctum sanctorum. His image is there outside and the main deity is visible all the way from there.
Directions
Kailasanadar Rasipuram is in the center of Rasipuram town. Rasipuram is about 25 kilometers south of Salem and about 28 kilometers north of Namakkal on the highway connecting these two towns.
Stay and Food
None locally except tea and snack shops. The closest are Salem and Namakkal depending on your travel plans.
