Arulmigu Kailasanathaswamy Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:30 – 20:00

Established

11

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Ancient polished stone Shiva Lingam inside inner sanctum on elevated square pitha

Religious tradition

Agamic Shaiva Tradition of the Chola hinterland

Sanskrit name

श्री कैलासनाथस्वामी मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Thirumanoor Kailasanathar Temple, Thirumanoor Shivalaya, Manoor Kailasanathar Gudi

Darshan hours

Daily

06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Break timings

12:00 PM - 04:30 PM

Special days

Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham: 05:00 AM - 09:30 PM

Festival timings

Open till 09:30 PM on Maha Shivaratri

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:30 AM

Midday aarti

11:45 AM

Evening aarti

06:30 PM

Night aarti

07:45 PM

Special aarti days

Mondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri

Ritual schedule

Nitya Pooja, Rudrabhisheka, Archana, Sandhya Deeparadhana by local hereditary archaka

Pooja timings

07:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 05:00 PM - 07:45 PM

Abhishek timings

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Cholas; later renovated by Nayakas of Thanjavur

Architect / builder

Traditional Chola stone sculptors of the Kaveri delta

Construction materials

Solid dressed granite stone blocks, brick-lime vimana, and mortar gopuram

Historical events

Endowed by local chieftains to maintain agricultural channels and temple irrigation tanks feeding the Kollidam delta

Renovations

Renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department and local village heritage committee

Archaeological importance

Ancient Chola village temple preserving authentic granite wall niches and iconography

Legends

The divine deer (Maan) of Mount Kailash meditated here to atone for transgressions, giving the spot the sacred name Thirumanoor

Inscriptions

Tamil stone inscriptions on the base recording royal tax exemptions and paddy grants

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

11th - 16th Century CE

Structure

Walled village temple complex with entrance gopuram, Mukhamandapa, inner sanctum, and separate Ambal shrine

Floors

1

Gopuram

Three-tiered entrance gopuram decorated with stucco figures of Shiva-Parvati legends

Mandapa

Pillared Navaranga hall with square granite pillars bearing relief carvings of deities

Sculptural features

Ancient Shiva Lingam; carved stone Nandi facing sanctum; graceful stone Dakshinamurti and Durga in wall niches

Artistic elements

Traditional floral relief work on stone lintels and brass deepas

Construction technique

Dry-stone granite block masonry with mortar superstructure

Unique features

The legendary association with the celestial deer (Maan) and its serene rural setting near the river Kollidam

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Shivaratri)

Special celebration days

Every Monday, Pradosham

Cultural events

Devotional bhajans and classical music during Shivaratri

Annual events

Maha Shivaratri celebrations and village temple festival

Peak crowd season

October to February

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

100+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Laddu; Pulihora