Aalanthuraiyaar Temple

1. Sri Alandurayar (Vadamoolanathar) temple is located in the village named Kilapazhuvur, in the district of Ariyalur, in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. 
2. This is a Chola temple, originally built by Parantaka Chola I, and renovated in the time of Sundara Chola (Parantaka II) and his successor Uttama Chola.
3. The primary deity of this temple is Alandurayar (Vadamoolanathar) (Lord ) and his consort is Arundavanayaki. 
4. This is the 109th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 55th Shiva sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. 
5. The place was once called as Pazhuvur and now the temple is in Keezhapalur, since Palur is divided as Keezhapalur and Melapalur. 
6. During the Chozha period the same was called as Siru Pazhuvur.

PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE 1:

1. It is believed that Ma Parvati, Brahma, Maha Vishnu, Indra, Agathiyar, Chandran, Suryan, Vasishtar, Kasibar and Vyasar worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.
2. Since Lord Shiva blesses us under the Pazhu tree – Banyan tree / Alamaram, Lord Shiva is called as Alanthurai Nathar and the place is called as Pazhuvur. 
3. Once maa Parvati closed the eye’s of Lord Shiva. 
4. At that moment the universe became dark. 
5. All the devas and Sages do not know what to do. Since it made hardship to all the living things of this universe and Ma Parvati was affected by this sin. 
6. To get rid of the sin Lord Shiva asked ma Parvati to go to earth and do penance at this Yogavanam. 
7. Ma Parvati came to this place Yogavanam and started her penance standing on one leg. 
8. Lord Shiva came to this Yogavanam and united with Ma Parvati. 
9. Hence People pray to Lord Shiva for unity of husband and wife due to difference of opinions, divorce, etc, to get relief from Brahmahathi dosha, etc,. 
10. Kalyana Pariharam is also performed in this temple at Kalyana Durgai sannadhi. 
11. After Kayamugasuran’s samharam, Vinayagar came to this temple and danced. 
12. Hence Vinayagar is called as “Nirutha Vinayagar”.
13. On Tamil month Panguni 18th day Suryan worships Lord Shiva through his light rays.

PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE (Arunthava Nayaki) 2:

1. In a playful mood, Mother Parvathi covered the eyes of Lord Shiva with her hands.
2. As the eyes of Lord Shiva are Sun and Moon, the world became dark suddenly. 
3. The activities of the world came to a standstill. 
4. All the sages and Devas were confused, not knowing what to do. 
5. Lord Shiva told Parvathi that even playful acts, if caused hardship to others, was but a sin and asked her to leave him for earth and perform penance. 
6. Lord also assured that he would come and join her in the Yogavanam here. 
7. Mother Parvathi completed her penance, made a Linga in sand and worshipped him standing by one leg. 
8. Lord came here and took his consort. 
9. This Yogavanam is now named Kila Pazhuvur. 
10. As Mother Parvathi performed Thavam (penance) here, she is called Arunthava Nayaki.



Ambal's penance on needle - Painting on the mukha mandapam ceiling

PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE 3:

1. A Shiva devotee from Ariyalur used to visit this Temple regularly. 
2. Once, he was not able to worship Lord Shiva of this Temple due to the heavy floods in Marudhai River. 
3. He was very worried standing on the banks of the River. Compassionate Lord Shiva gave darshan to him in Ariyalur itself. 
4. In remembrance of this event, the devotee built a temple in Ariyalur. 
5. The Idols of the Temple are named after this Temple.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

Indra, Brahma, Vishnu, Pandavas, Agasthya, Vishwanaran, Dharmapala, Chandran, Kovalan, Pururavan, Vashishta, Kashyapa, Kanva, Sadananda, Vyasa, Arunagirinathar, Thirugnanasambanthar and Vallalar worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple.

Administration History:



This temple is administered by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department Tamilnadu.