the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

This temple is situated in the southern banks of Cauvery. It is situated on the 8th kilometre from Kulithalai on Kulithalai-Manipparai route. On the northern bank just opposite to this is Thirueengoimalai. It is now called as Iyermalai, Sivayamalai, Ratnagiri.

The temple is a hill temple and quite big with 1140 steps. At the foot of the hill we have a praharam for Vinayagar. At the entrance of the temple we have Dakshinamoorthy, then comes the Rathinagireesar. On, previous and after the sivarathiri we can find the sunrays falling on the Linga directly. In front of the Linga we have small water tank called Poivaasi Kopparai.

Here the Lord was worshipped by Indiran, Sayandan, Vaayu and Adiseshan. Here, worshipping Lord in the afternoon is auspicious. Since Agathiyar worshipped Lord in the afternoon and got his boon. So Dharshan at afternoon is famous here. The legend here is one of Araya king worshipped Lord for want of Maanikkam. He was asked by Lord to fill a tank by Cauvery water in the tank given by the Lord. Getting annoyed on the tank not getting filled, the angry king took the sword and banged on the Lord, and Lord stood before him and presented him the Maanikkam. The Deity here still has the mark on its western side.

 Here Sivarathiri is famous. In the tamil month Chitirai (April - May) on Star Hastam festival gets started and will be for 10 days.