Atulya Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur
Shiva (as Atulya Nadheswarar / Araiyaninathar), with Azhagiya Ponnazhagi (Arulnayagi) temple · Arakandanallur (opposite Tirukoilur), Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu, India
The Atulya Nadheswarar Temple is a Shiva temple at Arakandanallur, on the northern bank of the Thenpennai river opposite Tirukoilur, in Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped here as Atulya Nadheswarar in the form of a lingam, and the goddess as Azhagiya Ponnazhagi. The Tevaram archive thevaaram.org records the deity as Araiyaninatheswarar and the goddess as Arulnayagi.
The temple is built on a granite outcrop and is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams praised in the Tevaram. It is known for its Pallava rock-cut caves, its large body of medieval inscriptions and its place in the life of Ramana Maharshi, who stopped here in 1896 on his way to Tiruvannamalai.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Atulya Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur
The temple was sung by Thirugnana Sambandar, who refers to the place as Araiyaninallur, the name from which Arakandanallur is derived, according to Wikipedia. thevaaram.org lists one hymn (padhigam) by Sambandar for this shrine, and Dinamalar counts it as the 12th Tevaram temple of the Nadu Nadu region. The name is explained by thevaaram.org as referring to a temple built on rock.
Tradition holds that when Sambandar arrived, the temple had been locked and worship had stopped; his hymns are said to have opened the doors and restored the rituals. Dinamalar and Wikipedia record that the two Nandis, the Pradosha Nandi and Adhikara Nandi, are believed to have moved aside so that the saint could see the Lord, and they still stand slightly off the axis of the sanctum. Another legend recorded by Wikipedia says that Vishnu worshipped Shiva here to be freed of the sin of overpowering Mahabali in his Vamana avatar.
The temple is also linked to Ramana Maharshi. The biography 'Bhagavan Ramana', excerpted by the Arunachala Ashrama, records that in late August 1896 the young Venkataraman left the train at Mambalapattu, walked towards Tiruvannamalai and reached 'the temple of Arayaninallur, built on a large rock', where he sat in the pillared hall and had a vision of brilliant light. Wikipedia adds that Ramalinga Swamigal also stayed here and sang in praise of the deity.
Heritage
History of Atulya Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur
According to Wikipedia, the original complex is believed to have been built by the Pallavas and expanded by the Cholas, while the present masonry structure dates from the Vijayanagara period in the 16th century. The rock-cut halls on the outcrop are Pallava work; thevaaram.org mentions a Pallava rock-cut mandapa on the rock, and Wikipedia describes three rock-cut caves at the southern end of the Pallava cave-temple series along the Pennai river.
The temple holds about 96 inscriptions, according to both Wikipedia and thevaaram.org, recorded in the Annual Reports on South Indian Epigraphy for 1902, 1905 and 1935. Wikipedia lists inscriptions of the Chola kings from Rajaraja I to Rajendra III, of the Pandya kings Maravarman Sundara Pandya and Maravarman Vikrama Pandya, of the Vijayanagara rulers Krishnadevaraya and Sadasiva Raya, and of the Sambuvaraya chief Rajanarayana Sambuvarayar, who repaired the temple and revived its festivals. thevaaram.org notes that the inscriptions record endowments, building work and local events, including a famine during the reign of Vikrama Chola.
Today the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, according to Wikipedia.
Architecture and sacred features
Wikipedia describes a complex of about two acres on a granite hill, entered through a seven-tier rajagopuram on the west side and enclosed by rectangular granite walls, with two corridors. The lingam faces west, under what Dinamalar calls a rudraksha canopy. The goddess has her own shrine to the right of the main shrine in the second precinct. Around the sanctum are images of the Nayanmars, the Navagrahas, Bhairava and the Saptamatrikas, with shrines of Murugan in the north-west and Durga in the north-east. The temple tank, Indra Theertham, lies about 1 km from the temple, according to Wikipedia; Dinamalar and thevaaram.org name the Thenpennai river as the sacred water.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple stands on a rock outcrop, so expect steps and uneven stone surfaces, which can become hot in the afternoon. Dress modestly, follow the priests' instructions and ask before photographing inside the shrines. Confirm current timings with the temple office or the HR&CE Department before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Atulya Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur
Vaikasi Brahmotsavam
A ten-day annual festival, according to Dinamalar.
Maha Sivaratri
Listed by Dinamalar among the temple's festivals.
Karthigai Deepam
Listed by Dinamalar among the temple's festivals.
Location
How to Reach Atulya Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur
Wikipedia places Arakandanallur about 2 km from Tirukoilur on the Tirukoilur–Viluppuram highway, and Dinamalar says buses bound for Tirukoilur pass through the village. Dinamalar gives the distance from Viluppuram as about 35 km and names Viluppuram as the nearest railway station and Chennai as the nearest airport. thevaaram.org notes buses to Tirukoilur from Tiruvannamalai and Panruti.
Location: Arakandanallur (opposite Tirukoilur), Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Chennai (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Viluppuram (per Dinamalar)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (as Atulya Nadheswarar / Araiyaninathar), with Azhagiya Ponnazhagi (Arulnayagi) temples · Temples in Viluppuram District
Questions
Atulya Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atulya Nadheswarar Temple a Paadal Petra Sthalam?
Yes. Thirugnana Sambandar sang a hymn on the temple, calling the place Araiyaninallur, and it is counted among the 275 Tevaram shrines.
Why are the Nandis at Arakandanallur not in line with the sanctum?
Tradition says the two Nandis moved aside so that Sambandar could see the Lord, and they remain slightly off-axis.
What is the Ramana Maharshi connection to Arakandanallur?
According to the biography 'Bhagavan Ramana', the young Ramana stopped at the Arayaninallur temple on his way to Tiruvannamalai in 1896 and had a vision of brilliant light in its pillared hall.
How old is the Atulya Nadheswarar Temple?
Wikipedia says it has Pallava origins with Chola expansion, and its present masonry structure dates from the 16th-century Vijayanagara period. It holds about 96 inscriptions.
Where is Arakandanallur?
It is on the northern bank of the Thenpennai river, about 2 km from Tirukoilur on the road to Viluppuram, in Viluppuram district.
Who manages the temple?
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Sources and attribution
- Wikipedia — Atulya Nadheswarar Temple
- Dinamalar (temple guide) — Sri Atulya Nadeswarar Temple, Arakandanallur
- thevaaram.org (Tevaram/Thirumurai archive) — Araiyaninallur – Araiyaninatheswarar temple (Thirumurai temple page)
- Arunachala Ashrama — The Life of Sri Ramana Maharshi (excerpts from Bhagavan Ramana)
Further reading: Atulya Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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