Olutnhiyapattu - Thiru Arasalinathar Temple

Olundiyapattu Arulmigu Arasaleeswarar Temple (historically called Thiru Arasili) is an ancient Shaivite shrine and the 31st holy Paadal Petra Sthalam in the Thondai region of Tamil Nadu. Tucked away in a tranquil rural setting near Kiliyanur and Tindivanam in Villupuram district, this sacred temple derives its divine name from the holy Arasa Maram (Peepal Tree / Ficus religiosa), under which Lord Shiva manifested Himself as a self-born (Swayambhu) Lingam to bless Sage Agastya.

Glorified by the child-saint Thirugnanasambandar in the 7th century CE Tevaram hymns, the temple features a classic Dravidian single-praharam layout, a sanctum housing the Swayambhu Arasaleeswarar Lingam, a separate east-facing shrine for Goddess Periyanayaki, and serene temple tanks (Agastya Theertham). Devotees visit this shrine to seek relief from chronic health ailments, obstacles to marriage, and to perform special penance under the ancient sacred Arasa tree.

Sage Agastya's Penance & Divine Appearance Under the Peepal Tree

According to the Sthala Puranam, during the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati at Mount Kailash, the entire assembly of gods, devas, and sages gravitated to the northern hemisphere, causing the Earth to tilt dangerously. To restore cosmic equilibrium, Lord Shiva instructed Sage Agastya to travel south to the Podhigai hills. En route, Sage Agastya paused at this lush location surrounded by sacred peepal forests.

Determined to offer daily worship to Lord Shiva, Agastya molded a small Lingam out of river sand under the shade of a sacred Arasa (peepal) tree and performed intense penance. Gratified by the sage's unshakeable devotion, Lord Shiva manifested in His radiant form beneath the tree and declared that the Lingam would permanently stay as Arasili Nathar (the Lord residing under the Arasa tree). Lord Shiva also granted Agastya the divine vision (Kailasa Darshan) right at this spot, balancing the cosmos.

The Miracle of Curing King's Eye Ailment

Local temple lore records that an ancient Chola chieftain suffering from severe eye sight loss came to Olundiyapattu and offered prayers to Lord Arasaleeswarar and Goddess Periyanayaki for 48 consecutive days while performing circumambulations (Pradakshina) around the Arasa tree. On the final day of his vow, his eyesight was completely restored. In gratitude, the king converted the brick shrine into a stone edifice and gifted fertile agricultural lands for daily pooja offerings.

Thirugnanasambandar's Hymns

During his holy pilgrimage through Thondai Naadu, Saint Thirugnanasambandar reached Olundiyapattu. Captivated by the tranquil spiritual atmosphere and the divine presence under the peepal branches, he sang 11 melodious verses in praise of Arasaleeswarar, describing the shrine as a haven of peace where all sins and karmic burdens melt away.

• Tevaram (1st Thirumurai): Glorified by Thirugnanasambandar in 11 verses beginning with "Pattar perugi nintru ethum Arasili... " (பட்டர் பெருகி நின்று ஏத்தும் அரசிலி).
• Periya Puranam: Sekkizhar commemorates Sambandar's visit to Thiru Arasili in the 12th-century Shaivite chronicle.

• Kulothunga Chola I Inscriptions: 11th-century stone inscriptions on the outer sanctum wall record royal donations of arable lands for the maintenance of daily morning food offerings (Nivedyam).
• Rajaraja Chola III Epigraphs: Record grants for maintaining perpetual ghee lamps (Nanda Deepam) and festival celebrations during the Tamil month of Panguni.

• Sthala Vriksham Oxygenation: The ancient Arasa Maram (Peepal Tree) at the temple precinct is celebrated in traditional Siddha medicine for its air-purifying properties and high oxygen release, making early morning pradakshina spiritually and physically rejuvenating.
• Hermitage & Inscriptional Preservation: The temple retains early medieval Chola epigraphs intact along the basement molded courses (Adhisthana).

• Four Daily Kala Poojas: Morning Kalasanthi, Afternoon Uchikalam, Evening Sayarakshai, and Night Ardha Jamam.
• Pradosham & Special Abhishekam: Special bathing rituals conducted for Lord Arasaleeswarar with milk, tender coconut water, and sacred ash (Vibhooti).
• Arasa Maram Pradakshina Vow: Devotees perform 108 circumambulations around the sacred Arasa tree on Sunday mornings to pray for marriage boons and childlessness.

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

• Tevaram Thirumurai Canon (1st Thirumurai, Thirugnanasambandar).
• Thondai Naadu Paadal Petra Sthalangal by HR&CE Department Tamil Nadu.
• ASI South Indian Inscriptions, Volume XX.