Kiliyanur -Agastheeswarar temple

Kiliyanur Arulmigu Agastheeswarar Temple (historically known as Thiru Kiliyanur) is an ancient 10th-century Chola granite temple and the 33rd holy Paadal Petra Sthalam in the Thondai region of Tamil Nadu. Located along the Tindivanam–Puducherry main highway in Villupuram district, this revered shrine gets its name from the legendary celestial parrots (Kili in Tamil) and the revered sage Agastya Maharishi, both of whom performed intense penance here to worship Lord Shiva.

Enshrined in the 7th-century Tamil Tevaram hymns composed by Saint Thirugnanasambandar, the temple features a serene Chola architectural layout with a main Rajagopuram entrance, a stone vimanam over the Garbhagriha housing the Swayambhu Agastheeswarar Lingam, a separate shrine for Goddess Akilandeswari, a sacred Vilvam tree (Sthala Vriksham), and the holy Agastya Theertham. Devotees visit Kiliyanur to seek divine wisdom, speech eloquence, relief from respiratory ailments, and freedom from astrological doshams.

The Legend of Celestial Parrots & Sage Agastya

According to the Sthala Puranam, in ancient times, celestial beings (Devas) took the form of divine green parrots (Kili) to escape the persecution of demon kings. The parrots flew to this lush Vilvam forest and performed daily worship by carrying fresh vilva leaves and holy water in their beaks to offer to the self-born Lingam. Gratified by their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before them and liberated them from their avian curse, restoring their divine forms. Hence, the village became celebrated as Kiliyanur (the abode of holy parrots).

Later, during his southern journey to balance the tilting Earth, Sage Agastya arrived at Kiliyanur. Recognizing the supreme spiritual potency of the spot, Agastya established an ashram here, installed a sacred Shiva Lingam, and performed intense Vedic rituals. Lord Shiva blessed Sage Agastya with divine secrets of Siddha medicine and Agamic knowledge. In honor of the great rishi, the presiding deity assumed the name Agastheeswarar.

Thirugnanasambandar's Hymns

During his holy pilgrimage across Thondai Naadu, Saint Thirugnanasambandar visited Kiliyanur. Moved by the peaceful ambiance and the divine legend of the celestial parrots, he composed 11 soulful Tevaram verses in the 2nd Thirumurai, extolling Lord Agastheeswarar as the eternal protector who bestows grace upon all living beings.

• Tevaram (2nd Thirumurai): Glorified by Thirugnanasambandar in 11 verses beginning with "Veedumaer alamarum vevvinai... " (வீடுமே அலமரும் வெவ்வினை).
• Periya Puranam: Sekkizhar commemorates Sambandar's visit to Thiru Kiliyanur in the 12th-century Shaivite chronicle.

• Parantaka Chola I Inscriptions: 10th-century stone inscriptions on the outer sanctum wall record royal donations of arable lands for maintaining daily pooja services and festival rituals.
• Kulothunga Chola I Inscriptions: Record grants for feeding pilgrims (Sathiram) and maintaining the temple water tank (Agastya Theertham).

• Acoustic & Microclimatic Ambiance: The temple complex is surrounded by ancient Vilvam groves that release rich essential oils, producing a naturally therapeutic microclimate noted in Siddha literature.
• Classical Chola Inscriptional Adhisthana: Granular stone base moldings featuring ancient Tamil inscriptions documenting Chola village administration (Sabha).

• Four Daily Kala Poojas: Morning Kalasanthi, Midday Uchikalam, Evening Sayarakshai, and Night Ardha Jamam.
• Vilva Archana for Speech & Wisdom: Special archana performed with 108 Vilva leaves on Mondays for children seeking clarity of speech, memory power, and academic excellence.
• Monthly Pradosham & Shivaratri: Grand abhishekam conducted for Lord Agastheeswarar with milk, honey, sandalwood, and sacred ash (Vibhooti).

• Best Months: October to March (pleasant weather).
• Major Festivals: Maha Shivaratri (Feb–March), Panguni Uthiram (March–April), Margazhi Thiruvathirai (Dec–Jan), Monthly Pradosham.

• Tevaram Thirumurai Canon (2nd Thirumurai, Thirugnanasambandar).
• ASI South Indian Inscriptions, Volume XX (Inscriptions of Kiliyanur).
• Thondai Naadu Paadal Petra Sthalangal by HR&CE Department Tamil Nadu.