Thirukameswarar Temple, Villianur – The Temple

Thirukameswarar Temple, Villianur – The Temple

The temple has two entrances, covers an area 368 feet (254.1 meters) long and 502 feet (237.6 meters) wide in the North South direction, the circumference of temple is 4.32 Acres. The Rajagopuram is of 5-tiers, 67 feet of height and facing east side. Other majestic tower is south gopuram, it is of 7-tiers, height of 97 feet and facing south side. The southern tower of the temple is said to have been used by the French as a watch tower. This Temple is situated in the main area of Villianur and the entire Villianur area being built around it. The temple is a typical pictogram of antiquity, made of rock cut pillars, statues and depictions carved on huge granites and on the whole stands to be a stone beauty.

Presiding Deity is called as Kameswarar / Mirameeswarar / Narasinganathar / Naduvazhinathar / Vaidyanathar / Vilwasenar. Lord Shiva graces in the temple as Swayambumurthy. The lingam is made of mud and so cannot withstand the direct Abhishekam (ablution) of water. As a result, the lingam is covered with a brass vessel before the water is poured. The rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity on 9, 11 and 19 in the month of Panguni covering the Gregorian calendar March-April.

Mother is called as Kokilambikai / Kuyilammai / Muthammai. Adi Shankaracharya installed Sri Chakram in front of the Kokilambal deity. Poojas are conducted to this Srichakra on Friday every week. There are Vahana Mandapam (Temple Office now), Urchava Mandapam, Vasantha Mandapam and Float Tank Mandapam in the Temple premises.

Kala Bhairava in the temple graces here without his Dog vehicle and therefore, the place is venerated as a place of salvation. The other significance of the temple is the Prasava Nandhi. Prasava means delivering a child. Those who pray for a child pray to this Nandhi and it is believed that the prayer would be answered. Though Nandhi (the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) usually installed facing the deity, there is also a small Nandhi before this Big Nandhi.

There are sculptures depicting milk rendering cow, Bull and elephant mixed head sculpture, delivery event of sculptures, Chola king Dharmabala with his wife sculpture and two head birds. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. Theertham associated with this Temple are Brahmma Theertham and Hruthapa Nasini. The temple tank covers an area of about 1.8 Acres, every year on the 10^th day of Brahmotsavam Kokilambikai and Lord Kameswarar are taken in procession on a decorated float on this lake.

Shrines for Ganesha, Nandikeswara (Prasava Nandi), Bhairava, Subramanya with his consorts Sri Valli & Deivayanai, 63 Nayanmars, Panchamurthy, Brahma, Narasimha, Adisesha, Govinda can be found in the prakaram. There are many inscriptions in the temple, the first of them dating back to 1014 A.D., but there is evidence to indicate that the temple could have been constructed in the 7 Century A.D.