Thaiyur Azhageesar Temple

Surrounded by high-rise apartments and multi-storied structures, this small temple of Azhageesar is located in an unknown lane. Indeed, it is hard to believe that it was once an important temple of Thaiyur. It is considered as one of Sapta Sthana Sthalams. 

The list of seven temples of Thaiyur:
1. Chenkanmaleeswarar  (Click the link to read the article about this site.)
2. Mareeswarar (Click the link to read the article about this site.)
3. Murugeeswarar (This is the biggest temple of Thaiyur. Click the link to read my article on this temple.)
4. Jalakandeswarar (Click the link to read the article about this site.)
5. Azhageesar (the temple on which this article is written)
6. Komaleeswarar
7. Abhatsagayeesar or Baleeswarar of Sozhathangal (or) the temple inside the forest of Chenkadu

The temple was in ruins for several years and the villagers reconstructed it in 2006 CE. Shiva Linga (Azhageesar) is the only ancient icon that still remains. All other icons were newly sculpted during the renovation. It is not known if there were inscriptions in the original temple.

The temple has entrances in east and south directions. 

The sanctum faces the east direction, and it houses the tall but not much broad Shiva Linga named Azhageesar. 

Azhagambal, the Goddess, is enshrined in the south-facing shrine. She is in the sitting posture. Usually, all other Shiva temples have the Goddess in the standing posture. But, here, this posture is unique. She is considered to be equivalent to Kanchi Kamakshi.

Navagrahas are found along with their respective consorts. Surya is found seated on a chariot pulled by seven horses.

Muneeswara, Hanuman in Anjali mudra and Lakshmi Hayagreeva are unusual deities for a Shiva temple. 

Ganapati, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are Koshta Devas.

The sub-shrines of Iyappa, Bhairava and Chankeswara are also found in the temple. The icons of Ganapati and Subramanya are there at the entrance of the sanctum. Few images of Nagas are kept under a sacred tree.

Shiva and Shakti, both have their respective Nandis facing towards their shrines.

Happy travelling.