| Description:
This Shivastalam is a maadakkaovil known as Peruntirukkovil built at an elevation and is
located half way in between Nagappattinam and Tiruvarur. The hillock is known as Chitrakootagiri. The
other hillock temples (maadakkovils) in this area are Tevoor,
Sikkal, Ambar,
Nannilam, Tandalai,
Vaikal, Nallur,
Veezhimizhalai, Naraiyur,
Valivalam, Aakkoor.
Keevalur is considered to be the 84th in the series of Tevara Stalams
in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri. Legends:
The stalapuranam holds that Shiva worshipped by Subramanyar. It is belived that
this shrine was not /will not be consumed by the great deluge. Shiva is said to have
danced with his right foot raised, for Agasthyar. (The image above is that of the
panel depicting the 5 Sabhas of Natarajar at Tiruvalankadu).
Kuberan is said to have come here to help out a poor devotee by name Chandragupta.
Subramanyar is said to have created this shrine with the help of Indra.
The Temple: A grand Rajagopuram with stucco figures and majestic walls
adorn the shrine. The Aniyottikkal Mandapam, the Mahamandapam have beautiful images of
lions, yalis. Inscriptions from the Chola period and the Maratha period are seen in this
temple. There are several shrines here - Subramanyar, Sundara Vinayakar, Anjuvattammai,
Venkatachalapati, Agasthya lingam under the stala vruksham, Kuberan in the Amman shrine
etc.
The Navagrahams are in a single file as in Tiruvarur
nearby. The image of Nataraja here is of great beauty and it dates back to the 18th
century.12th Century Chola inscriptions are seen in this temple and several literary works
glorify this shrine. This shrine has been glorified by Muthuswamy Deekshitar's kriti
Akshaya Linga Vibho in the raga Sankarabharanam.
Festivals: Six worship services are offered each day. The annual
Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai, when the Rishabha vaahana utsavam
and the Sapta Stana utsavam assume significance. |
