Vasudevanallur is an important place in Tenkasi District. Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple is also called as Sri Chinthamaninatha Swami Temple. The reason behind it is that there was a dispute as to who were more important Shivan or Sakthi. That time Goddess Sakthi sat under a Tamarind Tree which was called as Chinthai Maram in those days. Moved by Her Devotion and Dedication Shiva appeared before Her and accepted that they were inseparable. Since Sakthi sat before the Chinthai Maram they both together where known as Chinthamani Nathar and from thenon some Devotees call the Presiding Deity as Sri Chinthamaninathar whereas the others refer them as Sri Arthanareeswarar. In both the terms Shivan and Sakthi are half of themselves.

At the outset the Temple has a Gopuram with a coloured Idol of Sri Arthanareeswarar at its centre and flanked by Sri Ganapathy and Sri Murugan. Then there are two multi pillared corridors on either side and Devotees may have to walk through a passage between these corridors. On the left corridor is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Maha Ganapathy and on the right corridor is another East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Bala Subramaniyar who have to Prayed first. The Temple Vaahanams, a few Wooden Palanquins and some coloured effigies are kept in the corridors. There is a four pillared Mandapam known as Oonjal Mandapam and to the right of this Mandapam is a beautifully looking Sub Shrine of Sri Natarajar who is South facing. The other Idols seen in this Sub Shrine are those of Sri Sivagami Ambal, Sri Manikavasagar and Sri Karaikal Ammaiyar. It is pertinent to mention here that all these Idols are fully smeared with pasted Sandal making them look eye appealing to the eyes of the Devotees. Then there is a Neivedhiya Peedam or Bali Peedam after which is a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram which looks like piercing the roof top of the multi pillared Mandapam and goes skywards. To the right of the Neivedhiya Peedam is a Navagraha Sannadhi mounted on an elevated Podium. Then comes the Rajagopuram of this Temple which is almost fully hidden by the temporary tin sheet roofing all around the Temple premises. This Rajagopuram is East facing and comprises of 3 tiers. To the left is the Gopura Sri Ganapathy's Idol and to the right is the Gopura Sri Shanmugar's Idol. Beyond the three tiered East facing Rajagopuram are the Idols of Sri Suryan, Sri Chandran and Sri Rohini which are West facing and looking towards the Moolasthanam. The Nandhi Vahanam Idol is found here looking West towards the Moolavar Sannadhi. An Idol of Sage Bringhi is seen close to the Nandhi Vaahanam since He was instrumental in shaping this Temple to a great extent. In most Temples the Nandhi Vaahanam would be seen along with the Dwajasthambam and Neivedhiya Peedam, but not here in this Temple. Proceeding towards the Moolasthanam to the right is a Palliyarai and another enclosure in which the Idols of Sri Natarajar, Sri Sivagami Ambal and all other Urchavamoorthi Idols are safely kept.

Just before the Moolasthanam are two huge black Dwara Baalaka Idols who are East facing and standing guard here. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Arthanareeswarar who is considered half of Shivan and half of Parvathy is seen in an East facing and standing posture. Some Devotees refer Him as Sri Chinthamaninatha Swamy who is again half of Shivan and half of Parvathy. He looks resplendent and dazzling to the eyes of all Devotees. Facing the Moolasthanam and closer to it is another small Nandhi Vaahanam. In the Koshtam of the Moolavar there is a South facing Idol of Sri Dhakshinamoorthy. It is believed that even Sri Indran who had lost His Kingdom due to the curse of Sage Dhurvasa had come to this Temple and regained His lost Kingdom, such is the Omnipotence of the God here. The inner peripheral of the Temple has multi pillared corridors in which the Idols of the 63 Naayanmars are lined up North facing, then is the North facing Idol of Sri Juradevar seen in a standing posture. The Sapthamathas Idols  are also seen North facing and next to them is the East facing Idol of Sri Veerabhadrar. Then in the same corridor in the outer peripheral there is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Kanni Vinayagar and next to this Sub Shrine is another East facing Sub Shrine which pertains to the Urchavamurthy Idol of Sri Arthanareeswarar. Then the East facing Pancha Lingams are seen along with 5 Nandhi Vaahanams facing them. Then is the Sub Shrines of Lakshmi, Sastha and Sri Siddhi Vinayagar and all of them are East facing. The Sub Shrines of Saneeswara Bhagawan and Sri Chandikeswarar are South facing. In this Temple unusually the Sub Shrine of Sri Durgai Amman is seen in the corridor facing South. Usually in all other Temples the Sub Shrine of Sri Durgai Amman is North facing mostly.  

The outer peripheral of the Temple has a Vanni Maram beneath which there are several Naga Devatha Idols kept over a circular podium and all the Naagar Idols are East facing. The outer peripheral another similar Vanni Maram beneath which is an East facing Idol of Sri Vaani Marrathu Vinayagar and few other Naaga Devatha Idols. There is another East facing Sub Shrine in the outer peripheral in which Sri Ganapathy is seen along with Raahu and Kethu Idols. To the rear of the Moolasthanam in the outer peripheral there is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Ayyappan. There is an Anthill or Putru which is Prayed in the outer peripheral. This Putur is smeared with Turmeric and Kumkum. The peripheral also has a South facing Kaala Bhairavar's Sub Shrine. The Temple has a Devasthana Shop selling Pooja Articles. The Temple Kitchen or Madapalli and the Annadhana Koodam are also found within the Temple premises.

The Sthala Viruksham of the Temple is Chinthai Maram or Tamarind Tree and the Pushkarani is Jambhu Theertham or Karuppai Aaru. The Temple's Chariot is parked outside the Temple and is safely enclosed. The Office of the Temple is also seen in the Temple premises. There is ample vehicular parking space. Pradosham, Theipirai Ashtami, Aani Peruvizha, Navarathri, Soorasamhaaram, Thiruvadhirai or Arudhra Dharisanam, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Skanda Shasti and Skandahara Chathurthi are some of the functions that are celebrated with great fanfare.

Contact Details: Balan 99407 09492 and 04636 241900

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 11.30 AM and 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM

Distance from Sankarankoil to Vasudevanallur is 24 Kms

Distance from Kadayanallur to Vasudevanallur is 24 Kms

Distance from Tenkasi to Vasudevanallur is 39 Kms

Distance from Thirunelveli to Vasudevanallur is 86 Kms

Distance from Kodaganallur to Vasudevanallur is 88 Kms

Distance from Cheranmahadevi to Vasudevanallur is 83 Kms

Distance from Kunnathur to Vasudevanallur is 84 Kms

Distance from Veeravanallur to Vasudevanallur is 79 Kms

Distance from Ambasamudhram to Vasudevanallur is 75 Kms

Distance from Sivasailam to Vasudevanallur is 64 Kms

Distance from Valliyur to Vasudevanallur is 122 Kms

Distance from Vijayapathi to Vasudevanallur is 153 Kms

Distance from Nagercoil or Nagerkoil to Vasudevanallur is 160 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Vasudevanallur is 127 Kms

Distance from Trichy or Tiruchirappalli to Vasudevanallur is 264 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Vasudevanallur is 318 Kms

Distance from Panboli to Vasudevanallur is 35 Kms

Distance from Karuvelan Kulam to Vasudevanallur is 101 Kms

Distance from Guruvayur to Vasudevanallur is 334 Kms

Distance from Triprangode to Vasudevanallur is 363 Kms

Distance from Kodumudi to Vasudevanallur is 277 Kms

Distance from Thirupudai Maruthur to Vasudevanallur is 77 Kms

Distance from Vennaimalai to Vasudevanallur is 256 Kms

Distance from Avudaiyarkoil to Vasudevanallur is 256 Kms

Distance from Thingalur to Vasudevanallur is 314 Kms

Distance from Munnirpallam to Vasudevanallur is 87 Kms

Distance from Harikesavanallur to Vasudevanallur is 77 Kms

Distance from Puliyarai to Vasudevanallur is 49 Kms

Distance from Kalakkad to Vasudevanallur is 105 Kms

Distance from Thirunageswaram to Vasudevanallur is 364 Kms

Distance from Srivilliputhur to Vasudevanallur is 45 Kms

Distance from Sivakasi to Vasudevanallur is 66 Kms

Distance from Nettur to Vasudevanallur is 58 Kms

Distance from Thiruchengode to Vasudevanallur is 308 Kms

Distance from Rishivandiyam to Vasudevanallur is 399 Kms

Distance from Nanganallur to Vasudevanallur is 570 Kms

Distance from Valikandapuram to Vasudevanallur is 348 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Vasudevanallur is 589 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Sankarankoil R.S.

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