Jamadagneeswarar Temple, Udayavar Theeyanur, Ariyalur
Jamadagneeswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Udayavar Theeyanur Village in Ariyalur District of Tamilnadu. As a hot region with high summer, the place is called Theeyanur – place of high mercury levels.
Earlier this was dense with Vilwa trees known Vilvaranyam. Sage Jamadagni chose this place for his penance on Lord Shiva and installed a Shivalinga for his worship. Hence, Lord is praised as Jamadagneeswarar. Agni – God of Fire also worshipped and hence the name of the Lord, according to one story.
Parasurama worshipped Shiva here:
The Theertha near the temple is known as Agni theertham. The Marudhai River flowing here is also considered very sacred. Sage Parasurama incurring the dosha caused to him for killing his mother as commanded by his father Sage Jamadagni used to bathe in this river and worship Lord Shiva for relief from the dosha, hence the river is also praised as Parasurama River.
The antiquity of the temple dates to back to 1166 A D built by Chola King Rajarajan II. The ancient name of the place was Theeyanur. From an epigraphy note in Gangaikonda Cholapuram of Rajathi Rajan I period, it seems that the place was known as Manukula Kesari Nallur. Presently there are two Theeyanurs, one the Udayavar Theeyanur where the Shiva temple exists and the other as Perumal Theeyanur with a Vishnu temple.
The entrance does not have a Raja gopuram. The temple is also not very big in size. The vimanam which stands on granite has plant growth at many places. Ganapathi shrine on the prakara is damaged in the front and needs to be constructed. The Six faced Subramanya is a delight to watch. Since the Sage Jamadagni (Father of Parasurama) worshipped Shiva here, the main deity in the Sanctum is called Jamadagneeswarar. The Goddess is named as Amrithaambikai. The idol of presiding deity Lord Jamadagneeswarar is made of stone in Shivalinga form and mounted on a square peeta.
There are shrines for Lords Vinayaka, Subramania, Chandikeswara and Goshta Nayakas. The Vimana of the shrine of Mother Amrithaambikai is of a cone type. Mother appears wearing an aesthetic crown, hanging earrings called Badra and Makara, Mangal Sutra around the neck, bangles and anklets and all jewels. She is holding Akshara Mala in the right upper hand, Neelothpala flower in the left. Her lower right hand assures all blessings –abhaya mudra and the left placed on the thigh.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Besides monthly Pradosha pujas, the temple celebrates Shivrathri in February - March.
People pray here for relief from stomach pain and related diseases, for removal of obstacles in wedding proposals, child boon and relief from adverse planetary aspects. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.
The place is situated on the Ariyalur - Sri Puranthan road via V. Kaikatti, near Nagamangalam, Ambalavar Kattalai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ariyalur and Nearest Airport is located Trichy.