Temple Layout - This shiva temple is spread over an area of approximately 2.5 acres. It features a 3-Tier Gopuram and a prakaram. The presiding deity of this temple, Arisilinathar appears as a 'Swayambu linga', facing east and His consort Periya Nayaki, is in a separate 'Sannidhi' facing south. As we walk along the prakaram, surrounding the sanctum in a clock-wise direction, we can see 'Sannidhis' of Vinayaka, Arumukha with His consorts Valli & Deivanai, Navagrahas, Chandeshwarar and the primary four nayanmars. Facing the presiding deity are the idols of surya the sun god and Bhairavar. Dakshninamurthy in this temple, is unique and beautiful. The uniqueness being, Muyalakan who is at the feet of Dakshninamurthy, is turned to the left, holding a serpent in his hands. Nataraja is seen above Dakshinamurthy in His 'Ananda Thandavam'. To see both forms of Shiva - Dakshniamurthy's imparting knowledge and Natraja's performing His cosmic dance, at the same place, one above the other, is considered auspicious. Other goshta images include Brahma, Durga and Vaishnavi. The place of Lingothbhavar, on the wall behind the sanctum, is taken by Mahavishnu. The 'Swayambhu Linga' of Arisilinathar is under a canopy made of 108 'Rudhraksha'. The head of the Linga has a wound mark inflicted by an arrow. To conceal this wound and as a mark of respect, a cloth is tied over the head of the Linga before offering pujas.
'Arasamaram' - Peepal is the 'Sthala Vruksham'. Peepal is considered to be the king of trees. Since the deity manifested here as a 'Swayambhu Linga' under this tree, this place is known as 'Arasili'. Once, a sage called Vamadeva, went to many Shiva Temples, to rid himself from a curse. When he arrived here, he decided to take rest under the shade of a peepal tree. As he was resting, the sage thought that it was so comfortable for him to spend some time under the peepal tree that cools the body, and thought how it would be if he built a temple for Lord Shiva here. Knowing the intention of the Sage, Lord Shiva appeared as a 'Swayambhu Linga' under the tree. The delighted sage took bath and worshipped 'Arasilinathar', and was rid of the curse.
Peepal is the divine tree suggested for the star 'Pushya' - (Poosam). Since, Peepal is the 'Sthala Vruksham' of Tiruarasili, this Shiva Temple is considered to be a 'Parikara Sthalam' for those who are born under the star 'Pushya' and it is beneficial for them to come to this temple and worship the presiding deity Arasilinathar and Goddess Periya Nayaki.
Sthala Purana - Over a period of time, after Sage Vamadeva, the 'Swayambhu Linga', was submerged and covered under the earth. Once, a Chalukya king named Sathyavrathan, ruled this part of the country, and was without an heir. He was an ardent devotee of God Shiva. He used to worship a Shiva Linga using flowers from his own garden. A servant was given the task of plucking and gathering flowers from the garden. One day, the servant who went to the garden to fetch the flowers returned empty-handed as there were no flowers in any of the plants in the garden. The next day too, the servant returned empty handed from the king's garden. The king suspected that the flowers were being stolen by somebody in the early hours of the morning. The king decided to investigate and to his surprise, he discovered that the culprit was a deer, which had been consuming the flowers. In a fit of anger, the king shot an arrow at the deer, which then fled into a hole under a peepal tree. Upon shooting another arrow into the hollow, the king was astonished to find a Shiva linga, the same one worshipped by Sage Vamadeva thousands of years ago. The king realized that the blood he had seen was not from the deer, but from the 'Bana' of the Shiva Linga. The stunned king prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva then appeared before the king, revealing that it was He who had taken the form of the deer and blessed the king with a son. The king then built a temple at this place. King Sathyavrathan's son Indrasenan too was an ardent devotee of God Shiva. Here is where Indrasenan's daughter lived, devoted to Shiva, and she attained oneness with Him at this sacred place.
3 tier tower
Arasilinathar
Periyanayaki
Dakshinamurthy
Inside view of the temple
Peepal Tree
Painting depicting the 'Sthala Purana'