Temple Legend - During the celestial nuptials of Shiva and Parvathy at Kailash, the collective weight of the assembled witnesses disrupted the earth's equilibrium in the North/South axis. To rectify this imbalance, Shiva directed Sage Agasthya to journey southward. Reluctant to depart from Kailash for fear of missing the divine ceremony, Sage Agasthya was granted a boon by Shiva, allowing him to visualize the wedding of Shiva and Parvathy at any time and place of his choosing. One such location was Tirukallil, where the sage beheld Parvathy and Shiva as a bride and groom, accompanied by Somaskanda, illustrating Shiva with Uma and Muruga. Grateful for this divine favor, Sage Agasthya earnestly prayed for Shiva's continued presence at the site, seeking blessings for all visitors. In response to his devotion, Shiva manifested as a Shivlinga, named Shivanandeshwarar, ensuring his perpetual presence at this sacred location.
See also:- Places visited by Sage Agasthya in his journey to south - 1) Kutralam, 2) Tirupanankattur, 3) Tiruvotriyur, 4) Tiruverkaadu, 5) Tiruvanmiyur, 6) Achirupakkam
Temple Layout - The temple boasts an east-facing 5 tiered Rajagopuram. 'Nandi Theertham' is just outside the entrace. The dwajasthambam, balipeetam and Nandi are aligned with eastern gateway. Furnther along is the sanctum of the presiding deity Shivanandeshwar. The sannidhi of the female deity AnandaValli and the sannidhi of Subramanya is to the left of the sanctum. This arrangement symbolizes the divine family of Somaskanda, with Shiva accompanied by Uma and Muruga.
The three sannidhis are encircled by a broad and expansive prakaram. Located in the south-west corner of this area are the sannidhis for Vinayaka and Kalatheeswarar, while the northern prakaram houses the sannidhi for Shakthi Dakshinamurthy. Sage Bruhu offered worship to Shivanandeshwar at this revered location using a thousand cactus flowers, leading to the manifestation of Shakthi Dakshinamurthy, who is depicted with 'Shakthi' on His lap. This specific representation of Dakshinamurthy is notably uncommon. It is believed that devotion to Shakti Dakshinamurthy can result in a blissful marriage, harmonious relationships, healthy offspring, enhanced intellect, and prosperity..
Narthana Ganapathy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Goddess Durga adorn the walls surrounding the sanctum as 'goshta murth's. Other sannidhis include Chandikeshwar, the four nayanmars and navagrahas.
The pathikam composed by Tirugyanasambandar is in first Tirumurai.
View of the temple, Nandi Theertham
Gopuram, kodimaram
Vinayaka and Kalatheeswar
Dwajasthambam, Balipeetam and Nandhi
Tirukalli Shivanandehswar
Sakthi Dakshinamurthy, Sage Bruhu
The three sannidhis symbolising Somaskanda
Navagrha
Four Nayanamars