Thirukameeswarar Villianur

Thirukameeswarar, Villianur

Saivite Temples, Villupuram District

God

Thirukameeswarar, facing east (also called Kameswarar, Mirameeswarar, Narasinganathar, Naduvazhinathar, Vaidyanathar, Vilwasenar)

Goddess

Kokilambikai, facing south (also called Kuyilammai, Muthammai)

Other Deities

At entrance to inner Prakaram – Ganesha, Maha Saraswathi, Ganesha, Mahalakshmi, Ayyappa. Inner Prakaram – Surya, 63 Nayanmar, Polla Pillayar, Katchi Naadhar, Varuna Lingam, Sahasra Lingam, Kasi Lingam, Muruga with consorts, Natarajar, Sivakami, Easanya Lingam. Outer Mantapa – Kala Bhairava, Navagraha. Sanctum Niche of main deity – Balaganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Nrahma, Chandikeswara, Durga. Sanctum niches of goddess – Brahmi, Varahi, Durga

Thirukameeswarar Villianur is a very large temple with three Prakarams. A large temple car is stationed outside. A Mantapam leads to the entrance through a 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The outer Prakaram has a large space all around with a Goshala and a large temple tank on the Northside. The South Gopuram is huge, beautiful, and is 7 tiered. The Kala Bhairava here is special as he is seen without his Mount, the dog. The sun’s rays fall on the Lord during the Panguni Month (March – April) for 3 days.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Brahma Theertham, Hruthapa Nasini

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Thirukameeswarar Villianur is said to have been constructed during the 12th century CE. Later additions have been built by Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar Kings. The masonry structures were built during the 16th century CE. There are inscriptions from Raja Narayana Sambuvarayar (1339–63), who has made large donations of land and valuables to the Thirukameeswarar Villianur temple. The place was a Vilwa forest in the ancient days and used to be called Vilwanallur which got corrupted to Villianur later.

Legend

Lord Brahma who told a lie in his quest to find the head of Lord Shiva was condemned to not have any temples. He is believed to have come here to Thirukameeswarar Villianur, and worshiped Lord Shiva to get relief from the curse. A Chola King who suffered from leprosy is believed to have had a dip in the tank here, worshiped the lord, and got cured.

Directions

Though Thirukameeswarar Villianur is in Pondicherry, we have listed it in Villupuram district. Thirukameeswarar Villianur is about 7.5 kilometers southwest of Pondicherry on the Villupuram road that goes onwards via Koliyanoor.

Stay and Food

Tea and snack shops are available locally. Food and Stay would be Pondicherry or Villupuram.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples