Manjaneeswarar Ayyanarappan Temple, Keezhputhupattu, Villupuram

Manjaneeswarar Ayyanarappan Temple, Keezhputhupattu, Villupuram

Manjaneeswarar Ayyanarappan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyanar, powerful village deity, located at Keezhputhupattu Village very near to Union Territory of Puducherry in Villupuram District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is quite famous in Puducherry, Villupuram and other surrounding areas. This Temple is situated amidst forest.

Legends

Manjaneeswarar Ayyanarappan:

It is believed that the power of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu who had come as Mohini joined together to form a God. This form looked similar to a cloud and it was called Manjani by the villagers who saw it. This form of Lord became to be called as Ayyanar and got settled down in a forest in a village called Keezh Pudupattu near Pondicherry. He came to be called as Manjaneeswarar Ayyanarappan.

Protector of world:

His devotees believe that he would be living in Pudupattu till evening only and as soon as the sun sets, he starts going around the world riding on his white horse all over the world to protect everyone. He would come again to Puthupattu only next day early morning.

Birthplace of Manikandan:

People believe that the king of Pandala came for hunting in this forest and found a child in this spot and that child was adopted by the king and Named Manikandan. Manikandan later was consecrated as Ayyappan in Sabari Malai of Kerala. Because of this, Many Ayyappa devotees who go to Sabari Malai visit this temple also during their Annual pilgrimage and believe that their pilgrimage would not be complete without visiting Keezhputhupattu.

History

This temple was believed to be built by Kulothunga Chola about 900 years back.

The Temple

The Temple is situated amidst forest. Devotees should park the vehicle before the forest. Devotees enter the forest from the west, passing two giant horses, anthill shrines, and the shrine of Veerabhadra, Ayyanarappan guardian deity, and his Veerans. The actual temple to Ayyanarappan is a large complex built on the pattern of a typical south Indian temple complete with brightly painted gopuram, inner sanctum, and verandah equipped with metal railings to control pilgrim traffic. On Mondays in Adi (June-July) vast crowds come to visit. 

Presiding Deity is called as Manjaneeswarar Ayyanarappan. He is gracing the devotees with his consorts Poorna (daughter of king of Ilavanji) and Pushkala (daughter of king Bikaranjan) on each side in sitting posture. Unlike many Ayyanar temples, animals are not sacrificed to this Ayyanar but they are sacrificed to a local deity called Malayalathan, situated at the entrance of this temple. There are also shrines for Lord Ganesha, Shiva, Sani and Ravana in the Temple premises.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.30 Am to 08.00 PM continuously.

Prayers

Ayyanar of this Temple is the family deity of many families. He is very powerful. People pray to him to get rid of bad habits, Child boon, relief from diseases, to get relief from sorcery and black magic etc. People will make stucco images of white horses, shaving of their hairs, preparing Pongal and offering to Lord, offering goats and hen to Malayalathan etc., if their prayers are met. People affected by Planet Sani (Saneeswarar) visit this temple on every Saturday and get rid of their problems.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Keezhputhupattu Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Kalapet, 17 Kms from Marakkanam, 16 Kms from Puducherry, 17 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 17 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 54 Kms from Villupuram, 129 Kms from Chennai Airport and 139 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is situated Chennai to Pondicherry ECR (East Coast Road) Route. Take any bus going towards Chennai from Puducherry on ECR and get down Keezhputhupattu Bus Stop and the Temple can be reached by walk. Else take the local bus to PIMS Hospital from Puducherry Bus Stand, get down at Ganapathi Chettikulam Bus Stop (2 Kms from Temple), take a share auto to reach this Temple. Nearest Railway Station and Airport are located at Puducherry.

Location