SHREE PUTHRA KAMESHTEESHWARAR TEMPLE ARANI TAMILNADU

Shree Puthra Kameshteeshwarar temple at Arani, Tamilnadu

This temple at Arani is at the banks of the River Kamandala. The name of the river comes from origin of the river from water spilled from the Kamandala of Maharishi Jamathakni. 

King Dasaratha who was not having any child thus for, did yagna here to beget heirs for his throne here.  There is a shrine for Dasaratha and he performed the Puthrakameshti Yagna as advised by Vashista and headed by Maharishi Rishyasrunga duly installing a Shiva Linga. He was bestowed with the four sons Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatruguna.  The name of the deity of the temple is thus Puthrakameshteeshwarar who graces the sanctum sanctorum under a nine headed serpant.

Those not having child pray here for 6 Mondays with the procedure for each Monday prayer.   During the month of tamil month Aani (June-July), on the Poornima day 11 Shivacharyas conduct the puthrakameshti yagna here. Devotees can participate in the yagna. 

                                                     Periyanayaki Amman

The Amman has a separate Sannidhi and is known as Periyanayaki.  Outside the temple compound and on the banks of the river Kamandala, sannidhis of Lord Vinayaka facing north and sannidhi of Lord Anjaneya facing south, face each other.

                                      Kamandala Nathi

During the festivities of Swathi star in Aadi (July-August), Purattasi Navarathri (September-October) and Masi Mahasivarathri (February-March) one lakh deepas are lighted.

                                        Somaskandar - Urchavar

I had been to Arani on 21^st February 2015 and had darshan at this temple, the temple is about 1.5 kms away from the bus stand and those who are able to walk about ¾ km can do so after getting a bus to Kamarajar Silai and then walk the distance. Otherwise autos ply to the temple and wait at the temple and leave you back in the bus stand. A picture of the temple is shown here.

Arani is a town and municipality in Thiruvannamalai district of Tamilnadu and is located 38 kms from Vellore and 60Kms from Thiruvannamalai.  The city is well connected with SH-4 (Arcot-Villupuram) and SH-132 (vellore-Arni).