The visit to this Uthamanathar Temple at Keeranur was a part of Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2nd and 3rd, October 2021. This place was called as Uthamanathapuram during Chozha period. 
Moolavar : Sri UthamanatharConsort : Sri Brahgathambal
Some of the salient features of this temple are….The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. A Vijayanagara period 16 pillar mandapam is in-front of the temple. The Mandapam and Rajagopuram entrance are about 3 feet below the ground level. Dwajasthambam, Nandi and balipeedam are in the Vijayanagara period Mukha mandapam. There is a second level small single tier Gopuram after the mukha mandapam. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Rajagopuram. In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy and Durgai.
In Praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Arumugar, Natarajar, Bhairavar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Chandran, Suryan and a well. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi, facing South on the mukha mandapam.
ARCHITECTUREThe temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha mandapam. A two Tier Vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. The adhisthana is a simple padabandha adhisthana with Jagathy, Threepatta kumuda and Pattigai. The bitti starts with Vethigai and supported by the Brahmakandha pilasters. The Pilasters has the Thamarai Kattu, Kalasam, Thadi, Kumbha, Mandi, Palakai, Veerakandam and Vettu Pothyal.
The Prastaram is with Valabi, kapotham and Viyalavari. Nasi Kudu, and Kodipalai karukku are on the kapotham. Greeva has koshtas on all 4 sides. Maha nasis are on the Sigaram and stupi is on the top. The Vimana above the Bhoomi desam is constructed with stucco. 
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONAs per the inscriptions this place was called as Uthamanathapuram. The temple believed to be Constructed between 11th and 12th Century. The temple received contributions from Chozhas, Pandyas and Vijayanagaras. The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Rajaraja-II, Kulothunga Chozha-III and Vijayanagaras. As per the inscription Lord Shiva was called as Uthamathanichuramudaya Nayanar.
The inscription on the outer prakara wall, near the entrance inscription belongs to 17th Century Raghunatharaya Thondaiman. This inscription records some gift and the details are not known. This inscription stone might have been shifted from somewhere during the renovation of the temple.
Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 8th reign year inscription records the gift of thirumukha patti for the well being of the king. And the inscription is damaged on many portions.
Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 24th reign year inscription records the gift of Land by the Villagers. The land comprises of eri, wells, trees and Sulakkal was installed on its periphery limits.
The 32 line Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Rajaraja Chozha ( II or III ) inscription records the endowment of Poojas and Naivedyam at Kamakotta Nachiyar sannidhi, for the same 6 ma araiye araikani land with water bodies, barren lands was gifted by the 20 Villagers and the same was signed 45 persons.
The Vijayanagara King Veerapokkarayan period inscription records that the temple tank wall brick was reconstructed by Thattan ( a sect in the Viswakarma Group ) Suriyan, his son Silamban and Chokkan mahamaithavarkala Thattan.
The temple is under the control of Pudukkottai Devasthanam and Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI )..
LEGENDSAs per the legend this place was called Sukhapuri, in a name of Sukha Brahmarishi. He was forced to awake from the meditation, by a King’s arrow hit. As a parihara, the Sukha Brahmarishi asked the king to construct this Shiva temple.
In another legend the present Keeranur was called as Uthamanathapuram. After hearing the power of Lord Shiva of Uthamanathapuram, Nakkeerar, the head poet of Pandya Dynasty Came to this temple and did a penance on Lord Shiva. Hence this place was called as “Keeravayal” and the same was got corrupted to the present name of “Keeranur”.
The devotees worships Lord Shiva and Ambal to get relieved from Marriage obstacles and Child boon. It is believed that, marriage will be conducted, if Ambal is worshiped and lighting ghee lamps for 9 consecutive Fridays.
Children who are affected by the chronic deceases and Graha Dosha are given adoption to Lord Shiva assuming as Father and Mother. It will be performed in the form of a function. On that day night the Child will be left in some of the relative’s house. Next day after worshiping Lord Shiva, the child will be taken back to their home. After the marriage, a coconut sapling will be planted inside the temple as a Child.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular Poojas special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham, Panguni Uthiram, Tamil and English new year days, Deepavali, Navaratri, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Makara sankranti, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe Temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30.hrs.
CONTACT DETAILSSivachariyar, Suresh may be contacted on his mobile +91 99945 60056 for further details.
HOW TO REACHKeeranur is on the way to Pudukkottai from Tiruchirappalli. Te Temple is about a KM from Keeranur bus stand.The temple is about 23 KM from Pudukkottai, 30 KM from Tiruchirappalli Junction and 355 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is keeranur and Junction is Tiruchirappalli.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Last 4 Photos PC : Web site and thanks to the unknown Photographers--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
Consort : Sri Brahgathambal
Last 4 Photos PC : Web site and thanks to the unknown Photographers
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