Gangalanathasamy Temple, Aziyur

Gangalanathasamy Temple, Aziyur, ^[1] is a Siva temple in Aziyur in Nagapattinam District in Tamil Nadu (India). ^{[2] [3]}

Vaippu Sthalam

It is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams sung by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Appar and Sundarar. ^[2]

Presiding deity

The presiding deity is known as Gangalanathasamy. His consort is known as Karpagavalli.

Structure

The temple has compound walls on four sides. It has big entrance with wooden gates. The temple has one prakara. After going through the entrance Vinayaka, bali peetam and nandhi are found. After the second entrance a huge front mandapa is found. Near to it facing east, the shrine of the presiding deity is found. In the north of the front mandapa, facing south, the goddess is found. In the outer prakara, in the south west corner Pralayam Kattha Vinayaka, Subramania with his consorts Valli and Deivanai and Gajalakshmi are found. In the east of the prakara, in south east, Bairava and Surya are found. ^[4] Azi refers to the sea. There are separate shrines for Muruga and Pidari. In order to get rid of from the sin of the Sura Samhaaram, Muruga consecrated five Linga and set up them five Shiva temples. Of them, this is one of the temple. ^[3] In this temple there are shrines of presiding deity and the goddess. The temple has a tank.

Location

This temple is located at Tiruvarur-Nagapattinam road, via Kilvelur in between Kilvelur and Sikkal. ^[3]

References

1. ta:ஆழியூர் கங்காளநாத சுவாமி கோயில்
2. பு.மா.ஜெயசெந்தில்நாதன், தேவார வைப்புத்தலங்கள், வர்த்தமானன் பதிப்பகம், சென்னை, 2009
3. மூவர் தேவார வைப்புத்தலங்கள், AziyUr, Sl.No.19 of 139 temples ஆழியூர் (Aazhiyur)
4. Shiva Temples, தேவார வைப்புத்தலங்கள், ஆழியூர், Sl.No.13 of 133 temples