| Description:
This Shivastalam is a small temple at Arisirkaraiputtur located 7.25 km south east of
Kumbhakonam near Tirunaraiyur, Nachiyar Koyil and
Penu Perundurai. It is also known as
Azhagaarputhur, Azhagadriputtur and Siruviliputhur. .It lies on the southern bank of the
river Arisil and is considered to be the 66th in the series of Tevara
Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri. Shiva is said to have blessed Pugazhtunai Nayanar here. This is
considered to be one of the 70 maadakkoyils built at an elevation by Kochengannan Cholan.
This temple was reconstructed of stone during the period of Raja Raja Chola I; however the
present structure is a result of extensive rebuilding earlier in the 20th century. The
temple has a three tiered Rajagopuram. Images of Surya and Chandra are
seen at the Rajagopura entrance. The shrine to Shanmukhar is highly
revered and it is believed that worshippers are cured of poisonous
bites. There are shrines to Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar and the Navagrahas,
Pugazhtunai Nayanar and others. Three
worship services are offered each day. |
