This is the 276th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam at Kiliyannavur and 33rd Paadal Petra Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. This was identified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam at the beginning of 20th Century. Now this place is called as Kiliyanur, in Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. This place Kiliyannavur is close to the ThiruArasili near Pondicherry, one of the Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam. 
In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that, Thirugnanasambandar went to Thillai after worshiping Lord Shiva of ThiruArasili. He didn’t mentioned this temple in particular, but mentioned as other temples on the way. Since This place is very close to ThiruArasili, experts are of the opinion that he might have visited this temple also and sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
In the hymns Thirugnanasambandar mentioned the association of Agasthiyar with Lord Shiva. As per J V Goplayyer, the hymns was published in 1932 in 5th of Sidhanantham Magazine. Also this figures on the page 405, Volume -1, of Thirugnanasambandar’s thevara Panmurai collection Published by the Pondichery Indalogy Institution in the year 1984.
பன்னி நின்ற பனுவல் அகத்தியன்உன்னி நின்று உறுத்தும் சுகத்தவன்மன்னை நாகம் முகத்தவர் ஓதலும்முன்னில் நின்ற கிளியன்ன வூரனே...... ThirugnanasambandarMoolavar : Sri AgastheeswararConsort : AkilandeswariSthala Vruksham : Vanni.Theertham : Agni.
Some of the salient features of this temple are.....The temple is facing West with an entrance arch / Mandapa on the east and west sides. On the west side entrance arch Stucco image of Lord Shiva & Parvati with Agasthiyar and Thirugnanasambandar in worshiping posture at the centre. Stucco images of Vinayagar is on the left and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar is on the right. The Mandapa is used to store vahanas. Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the ardha mandapam which has an entrance on the South side. A stone jala / Jolly is provided in front of Rishabam to face Moolavar. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. At the entrance of sanctum sanctorum, Dwarapalakas wearing padre kumdala, Vinayagar on the left and Thandayuthapani is on the right.
In koshtam, Pichandanar / Bhikshatana, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu ( in Lingothbavar’s place), Brahma and Durgai.
In prakaram Maha Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena Arumugasamy, Krotha bhairavar ( Holding Changu / Conch, Chakra and a Shiva Linga is an unique feature in this temple ). Kala Bhairava, Nalvar, Navagrahas, Suriyan and Chandran and some loose sculptures of old Dakshinamurthy, Jyeshta Devi, Nagars, etc,.
It was told that Urchavars are kept in the village for safety reasons ( It was taken away by the thieves and latter the same was recovered).
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing east at the south side entrance of Maha mandapam. The Ambal is in standing posture with hands are in abhaya and varada hastam. The Nandhi opposite to Ambal is little lower than the ground level. It is believed that Nandi Devar used to circumambulate and worship Ambal on Mahashivratri day.
ARCHITECTURE.The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The entrance to the ardha mandapam is from the south side with a mandapam. The Adhisthanam is prathi bandha adhisthana with padma jagathy, Virutha Kumuda and a Yazhi vari. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone from adhisthanam to prastaram. The prastaram is of kapotha style with Nasikood. Bhutaganas are in the valabi. Yazhi vari is on the bhoomi desam. Two thala Vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva Koshtam. The Vimana is of Vesara style. 
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONThe name “Killi” was a common name among the Chozha Kings and some of the Chozha Kings are called as Killivalavan, Nedungkilli. These names figures in the Sangam literatures too. So this place might have been called as Killiyanallur and the same might have got corrupted to the present name of Kiliyanur.
The loose sculptures like Jyeshta Devi and Chandikeswarar installed on the back side of the temple belongs to pallava Period. Hence this temple might have been constructed during Pallava period and reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period.
The inscriptions on the sanctum Sanctorum walls do not have continuity. Some of the portions were damaged during renovations. As per the inscription this place was called as Jayankonda Chozhamandaalathu Oyma Nadu Brahmadeya Kiliyanallur. During Chozha Kings rule this place was under Keralanthaga Chaturvedi mangalam and Vijaya Rajendra Valanadu. Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvagniswaram Udayar. The 9th Century inscriptions, records the donations made for conducting the regular poojas and burning of perpetual Lamps and Naivedyam. One of Chozha King’s ( name was found damaged ), period, Ambalavan Kandradithan alias Kavalayam Gangaraisar had established an endowment and the details are not known.
The Chozha King Koparakesari’s ( Parantaka-I ) 10th reign year inscription records the endowment of special Naivedyam with 4 nali rice offered during worship on the Amavasya and Sankranti day by one Parasaran Thayan Sathan.
Rajendra Chozha’s 3rd reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a Brahmin lady for the same 90 goats were gifted to this temple.
Kulothunga Chozha period inscription records the endowment of special poojas to Pichadanar / Bhikshatana and burning of perpetual lamps.
The damaged Vikrama Chozha’s inscription starts with his mei keerthi as “Poomathu.....”. records a land was gifted by Kiliyanur alias Ulakuyyakonda Chozha Chaturvedi mangalam Villagers.
Rajathi Rajan’s 28th reign year inscription starts with his mei keerthi as “Thingalertharu...”, records that a land was sold for Naivedyam for Thiruvagniswaramudayar by the Keralanthaka Chaturvedi mangalam Village sabha. 29th Reign Year inscription records that another land was sold for Naivedyam.
Kulothunga Chozha’s 3rd reign year inscription records that Ulakuyyavanda Chozha Chaturvedi mangalam alias Kiliyanur sabha exempted Tax to some of the Lands. Also the inscription mentions the interest for the capital deposited in the treasury and Pichadevar / Pichadanar.
A Mallikarjuvarayar, Vijayanagara Period inscription ( 1372 CE ) ( on a separate stone near the madapalli ), records the rectification of Mathagu / water regulator of the Eri and rectification of Eri damaged due to cyclone by Virupparaya Gangeyan’s son Vijayaraya Gangayan. In that this place was mentioned as Kilivalanallur. 
LEGENDSAs per the legend, Suka Muni ( Kili -Parrot faced Muni – கிளி in Tamil ), worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence This place obtained the name as Kiliyanur.
It is believed that the Moolavar was installed by Agathiyar and worshiped by Suka Muni, Adhiseshan, Kalava Maharishi. Since Adhiseshan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, this temple is considered as one of the Rahu & Ketu parihara sthalam. When Kalava Maharishis two daughters were suffering from a chronic decease, Kalava prayed to Lord Shiva and both were got relieved from the decease.
Devotees worships Lord Shiva and Akilandeswari to get relieved from Marriage obstacles, to excel in studies, to get relieved from Stomach pain, etc,. It is believed that Nandi devar worships Ambal on Maha Shivaratri days.
With the presence of Kalabhairava, this temple is considered equivalent to Kasi.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas, special poojas will be conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi, Pournami, Amavasya and Ashtami days and Fridays.Special poojas are offered on Rahu and ketu Peyarchi / Transition days.
CONTACT DETAILS For darshan P. Harihara Gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile 9976440754.
HOW TO REACH The Village Kiliyanur is on the Tindivanam to Pondicherry bus route and 18 KM from Tindivanam. The Temple is on the bus route Brahmadesam main road within the village about a km from Kiliyanur bus stand.The Temple is 18 KM from Tindivanam, 24 KM from Pondicherry, 56 KM from Villupuram and 143 KM from Chennai.Nearest railway Station is Tindivanam.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Pallava Period Jyeshta devi and Chandikeswarar
Dwarapalakas
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The entrance to the ardha mandapam is from the south side with a mandapam. The Adhisthanam is prathi bandha adhisthana with padma jagathy, Virutha Kumuda and a Yazhi vari. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone from adhisthanam to prastaram. The prastaram is of kapotha style with Nasikood. Bhutaganas are in the valabi. Yazhi vari is on the bhoomi desam. Two thala Vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva Koshtam. The Vimana is of Vesara style.
Devotees worships Lord Shiva and Akilandeswari to get relieved from Marriage obstacles, to excel in studies, to get relieved from Stomach pain, etc,. It is believed that Nandi devar worships Ambal on Maha Shivaratri days.
Pallava Period Jyeshta devi and Chandikeswarar
Dwarapalakas
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