Arapaleeswarar Temple

Arapaleeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Kolli Hills of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu. Situated amidst forested hills of the Eastern Ghats, it is a prominent pilgrimage site for the region. The temple is known for its association with the Agaya Gangai Waterfalls nearby and its Dravidian architecture. It attracts devotees and tourists visiting Kolli Hills for religious worship and sightseeing.

Visitors can expect a traditional South Indian Shiva temple set in a forested hill environment at Kolli Hills. The complex includes the main sanctum dedicated to Arapaleeswarar (Shiva) and shrine for Goddess Aram Valartha Nayagi, gopuram and pillared mandapams. The temple is surrounded by hills and vegetation, with steps leading down to the nearby Agaya Gangai Waterfalls. Visitors can observe daily pujas, architecture, and explore the temple courtyard and surrounding hill landscape.

The temple is believed to have ancient origins associated with the Sangam-era chieftain Valvil Ori who ruled Kolli Hills, with later renovations attributed to the Chola period. Inscriptions and architectural style indicate its long historical use as a Shiva shrine in the region.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Arapaleeswarar with consort Aram Valartha Nayagi and is a major religious centre for devotees in Kolli Hills. It is closely linked to local traditions of the hills and is especially significant during Maha Shivaratri and other Shaivite festivals.