This is the 44th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the north bank of ThenPennai River and 12th Sthalam Nadu Nadu. This place was called as Araiyaninallur during Thevara times, has got corrupted to the present name of Arakandanallur. There are different version about the name of this place as Arayaninallur and this may be an opt version -Arai+Ani+Nallur = Rock + Decorative, beauty, wear + Nallur, hence Lord Shiva is also called as “Arayani Nathar”.
Sekkizhar in his Periya Puranam mentions that Thirugnanasambandar from Thirukovilur on the way to Thiruvannamalai, had the darshan of Atulyanadheswara of Araiyaninallur / Arakandanallur. Further Thirugnanasambandar had seen the Thruvannamalai Temple Gopuras after his disciples pointed out.
சீரின் மன்னிய பதிகம்முன் பாடி அத்திரு அறையணி நல்லூர்
வாரின் மல்கிய கொங்கையாள் பங்கர் தம்மலை மிசை வலம் கொள்வார்
பாரின் மல்கிய தொண்டர்கள் இமையவர் நாள்தொறும் பணிந்து ஏத்தும்
காரின் மல்கிய சோலை அண்ணாமலை அன்பர் காட்டிக் கண்டார்
Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple and Vallalar also mentions in his Thiruartpa.
பீடினாற்பெரி யோர்களும் பேதமை கெடத் தீதிலா
வீடினாலுயர்ந் தார்களும் வீடிலாரிள வெண்மதி
சூடினார்மறை பாடினார் சுடலை நீறணிந் தாரழல்
ஆடினாரறை யணிநல்லூர் அங்கையால் தொழுவார்களே
.... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
“ஆவலர்மா
தேவா இறைவா சிவனே எனுமுழக்கம்
ஓவா அறையணிநல்லூர் உயர்வே”
.... திருஅருட்பா
Moolavar : Sri Athulya Nadheswarar, Sri Oppilaa Maneeswarar, Sri Arayani Nathar
Consort : Sri Soundra Kanagambigai, Sri Azhakiya Ponnammai
Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple is facing west. The total temple complex was built on a rocky mount. The 7 tier Rajagopuram is on the banks of Then Pennai River. Ulakalantha Perumal Temple and Sri Veerataneswarar temples can be seen from this temple. Moolavar is swayambu. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. There are two Rishabas in front of sanctum sanctorum and one is leaned to right side to facilitate Thirugnanasambandar’s darshan. While one rishabam is facing Lord Shiva and the other is facing on the opposite direction. Balipedam and dwajasthamba are out the sanctum sanctorum. The entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is from the south.
In prakaram Sthala Vinayagar, Thirugnanasambandar with Thalam, Arumugar with Sri Valli Devasena ( A soorasamharam murthi), Kasi Viswanatha Lingam with Visalakshi, Shaniswarar keeping a ling on his vahana crow, Navagrahas, Bhairavar without his vahana dog, Narayanar ( on a flat stone), Narthana Ganapathy, Maha Vishnu with conch and Chakra, Hanuman, Saptamatrikas, Naalvar, Ramana Maharishi, Jyeshta Devi, Natarajar Sabha, Valampuri Vinayagar.
In the out side prakaram Thirugnanasambandar’s feet ( After seeing Tiruvannamalai from here he circumambulate on the spot and worshiped Annamalaiyar. The foot prints are formed on the spot ), Annamalaiyar Sannadhi, and Ambal Sannadhi and a Nadana mandapa ( There is an interesting fact behind this mandapa, which is given in the History and inscription part ).
Sri Ramana Maharishi on the way to Thiruvannamalai on 30th August 1896 boarded the train at Villupuram. He had only money to buy the ticket up to Mambalapttu. Walked on the track and found this temple. After worship of Lord Shiva sat in the prakara, where Thirugnanasambandar’s idol is now installed and started meditation. During meditation as an young felt that a light emerged from the sanctum sanctorum and enveloped him with its golden warmth. He was in that state till the light disappeared. A Ramana maharishi's image is installed in front of Nalvar.
HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the original temple was constructed during 7th Century Pallava period, before Thirugnanasambandar’s Visit. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2003.
As per the inscription this place was under Rajaraja valanattu Pennai Vadakarai Udaikattu Nattu Thiruaraiyani Nallur and Lord Shiva was called as Opporuvarumilla Nayanar or Oppillamanisvarar.
An Inscriptions records endowment of worship and offerings and for the same the Village Sembiyan Mahadevi was gifted to this temple Oppillamanisvara Temple. Another Koperunchingan’s 3rd year reign inscription records the gift of Sembiyan Mahadevi village to this temple, by Chozhathunga Pallavaraiyan Sri Baladevan Marudanthalwar alias Rajaraja Sri Balan. Whether both are same or not do not Know.
The Vikrama Pandyan’s 8th year reign inscription ( AR 380 of 1902 ), records the endowment of Pooja ( Evening ) and maintenance of Shrine constructed on his name for which 50 % of the nanjai and Punjai tax free gifted as iraiyili.
Kulothunga Chozha’s 32nd year reign inscription ( AR 387 of 1902 ) records the construction of stone temple by Pandyamandalathu Vada Vellarukoorrathu Aththampur Aththampoorudaiyan Thirukalathi udaiyan aduvan Pattanasamy ( the inscription is incomplete ).
Kulothunga Chozha’s 31st year reign inscription ( AR 388 of 1902 ) records the endowment of lighting 3 perpetual lamps for Aragalur Rarajadevan Ponparappinan Magathai Peruman idol, by Periya Perumal Pandiyarayan.
The Kulothunga Chozha’s 22nd year reign inscription ( AR 389 of 1902 ) records the endowment of 3 perpetual lamps for which 1500 kuli land was donated by Kiliyur Malayaman Iraiyuran Rajaraja Sethiyaraian’s son Periya udayan alias Kovalarayan.
Kulothunga Chozha’s 11th year reign inscription ( AR 390 of 1902 ) records the endowment of 3 perpetual lamps to Lord Shiva and Ambal Temple constructed by him for which a land of 3000 kuli, measured by 14 adi ( feet ) Vilakkadi kol by Kiliyur Malayaman Aththimallan alias Ethirili Chozha VanaKularayan.
Vikrama Pandyan’s 8th year reign Inscription ( AR 391 of 1902 ) records the endowment of pooja, Naivedyam and Aadi month festival for which lands of Nanjai and Punjai with all trees and Wells, at Pandya nallur, by the king himself ( The inscriptions mentions that the endowment was on his name ).
Sundara pandyan’s 10th year reign inscription records that during the construction of the nadana mandapa ( Dance Hall ), collapsed many times. One of the Devaradiyar Pon Aandai’s son Ilamvenmathi soodinan prayed that he will give navakandam ( offering his head ) if the mandapa is constructed without collapse. After completion of Mandapa and the gopuram he took the navakandam by cutting his head. His family was offered 1000 kuli land for the same act. The original inscription is reproduced as below.
கல்வெட்டு:
1.கோமாற பன்மர் திரிபுவனச் சக்கரவத்திகள்ஸ்ரீ சுந்தர.
2.பாண்டிய தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு பத்தாவது இந்தத் திருமண்டப
3.ம் தட்டோடு இட்ட இதுக்கு இவ்வாண்டை திருவைகாசித் திருநாளில்
4.இவூர் தேவரடியாரில் பொந்நாண்டைமகன் இளவெண்
5.மதி சூடினான் தலை அரிந்து கொள்ளுகையில் இவனுக்கு உதிரப்பட்
6.டியாக எல்லைக்காலில் தென்னகோன் தரங்குழி குரம்பில்
7.சண்டேசுர நாயனார்(க்)கு கொடு(த்)தருளின குழி ஐநூறும் இப்பற்றில்
8.நாட்டவர் இவூரில் குடிப்பற்றில் குடுத்த குழி ஐநூறும் ஆகக்குழி ஆயிரம்
9.மும் சந்திராதித்தவரை இவன்வழி உள்ளார் அனுபவித்துக்
10.கொள்ளக்கடவார்கள் பன்மா கேசர ரஷை.
11.இதுக்கு இலிங்கணம் சொன்னவன் தாய்க்குத்தானே மணவாளன்.
LEGENDS
The sanctum sanctorum door of this temple was made open by Lord Shiva for Thirugnanasambandar's hymns, which was kept blocked with boulders by Samanar / Jains.
Mahavishnu in his Vamana avathar as Thiruvikrama killed King Mahabali by placing the third step on his head. To get rid of the sin or dosha prayed Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva advised him to go to Bhoolok and worship him in the form of swayambhu. Mahavishnu came to Arayani Nallur and worshiped the swayambhu Shiva Linga on the banks of ThenPennai River. Lord Shiva blessed Mahavishnu and obsoled him from his sins. Maha Vishnu praised Lord Shiva as Athulyanadheswara or Unique and Superlative Lord.
There is a rock cut 5 cell cave near the Rajagopuram ( scooped during Pallava period and there is nothing inside. ) It is believed that Panchapandava’s during their exile stayed here and prayed Lord Shiva and got back their statue. After they won the war and Pattabhishekam came here and worshiped Lord Shiva. Hence people pray Lord Shiva of this temple to get back their lost wealth, property, status, etc,.
POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Mahashivaratri, 10 days Vaikasi Brahmotsavam ( May – June ) and Thirukarthigai.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10 Hrs and 16.00 hrs to 18.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The mobile numbers +91 9965144849 and +91 93456 60711 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH :
Buses also available from various places like Panruti, Virudhachalam, Panruti and Villupuram.
The temple is 2 KM from Thirukovilur, 39 KM from Villupuram, 37 KM from Thiruvannamalai, 37 KM from Villupuram and 200 Km from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Junction is Arakandanallur and Railway Junction is Villupuram.
Thirugnanasambandar patam- PC Web site
Pancha Pandavar Cave - PC Web site
Bhairavar with out his vahana
Nalvar - PC - web site
Pillar reliefs - PC Web site
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Rishabam looks different and the head is completely turned to south 
Chozha period inscriptions
Chozha period inscriptions
Inscriptions - 12th to 13th Century
Old pillar --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA --- 
