9 Famous Temples To Visit In Thiruvallur

Visited on: 16^th July, 2016

Location 

Thiruvalithayam (Padi) is located at a distance of about 7 kms from the Koyambedu Bus Terminus on the Chennai to Thiruvallur route. It is about 12 kms from the Chennai Central railway station. The railway station nearest to Thiruvalithayam is Kurattur on the Chennai Central to Arakkonam route and this temple is about 2 kms away from it.

Thiruvalithayam is near the Paadi main junction and just opposite to the Lucas TVS Factory.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thirumullaivayil, Thiruverkadu, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 21^st Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has two corridors.
• Lord Vinayakar’s wedding with Kamalai and Valli took place here.
• The Vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture.
• This temple is famous as a Parihara Sthalam for Lord Guru (planet Jupiter).
•  The last Consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 29-01-2012.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is believed to have been constructed by Chola kings. The historical name of this place is Thiruvalithayam but it is now known as Paadi.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016

Location

Thirumullaivoyal is situated at a distance of about 16 kms from the Koyambedu Bus Terminus, Chennai. It is on the Chennai to Thiruvallur route. There is a railway station in Thirumullaivayil on the Chennai to Arakkonam railway line. The temple is about 2 kms away from the station.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvotriyur, Thiruvalithayam, Thiruverkadu, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 22^nd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture.
• The temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers and has 2 corridors.

Visited on: 26^th August, 2016 and 22^nd November, 2016

Location

Thakkolam is situated at a distance of about 26 kms from Kanchipuram on Kanchipuram to Arakkonam route. From Arakkonam, it is about 12 kms.

From Thiruvallur it is about 27 kms.

Thakkolam has a railway station and this temple is 5 kms away from the station.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thakkolam are – Ilambaiyangkottor (10 kms), Thiruvirkolam (16 kms), Thirumalpur (17 kms), Thirupachur (26 kms) and Thiruvenpakkam/Poondi (35 kms). 

General Information

There are two adjacent temples situated on the banks of the river Kusasthalai, also called as Kallaru - Sri Jalanatheeswarar Temple and Sri Gangadheeswarar Temple.

During both my visits, the Gangadheeswarar temple was locked. For some reason this temple has been closed for a long time. The renovation works are half done and the consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) is also pending for a long time. 

It is believed that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar rendered his hymn at Sri Gangadhareswarar temple only.

Sri Jalanatheeswarar Temple

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 12^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• The 3-tiers main tower (Rajagopuram) is facing the west and has two corridors. The Moolavar’s shrine is facing east.

Visited on: 26^th August, 2016 and 22^nd November, 2016

Location

Thirumalpur is at a distance of about 14 kms from Kanchipuram on the Kanchipuram to Arakkonam route. There is a Railway Station at Thirumalpur. The temple is 5 kms away from this railway station.

From Thiruvallur it is about 40 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thirumalpur are - Thakkolam (17 kms), Kuranganil Muttam (30 kms), Thiru Magaral (30 kms) and Thiru Vanparthan Panangattur (37 kms).

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 11^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi, (self-manifested).
• It is believed that the Moolavar of this temple is made of sand by Goddess Parvathi herself.
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni” and is always covered by a metal sheet (kavacham).
• Lord Mahavishnu got his discus (Sudarshana Chakaram) from Lord Shiva here.
•  This is an east facing temple that has two corridors and a main tower (Rajagopuram) with 5-tiers.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is located on the banks of Virudhasheera river (Palaru) and is said to be more than 1500 years old. The temple is said to have been built by King Paranthaka Chola-I.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016

Location

Thiruvalangadu is at a distance of about 17 kms from Thiruvallur en route Arakkonam. From Arakkonam also this place is about 17 kms.

Thiruvalangadu has a railway station on the Chennai – Arakkonam rail route and the temple is about 4 kms away from the station.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thiruvalangadu are – Ilambaiyangkottur (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (32 kms), Thakkolam (17 kms), Thiruvirkolam (20 kms) and Thirupachur (19 kms).

General Information   

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 15^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the five places where it is believed that Lord Natarajar competed with Goddess Kali in a dance performance.
• The Natarajar mandapam (hall) of this temple is called “Rathna Sabhai (Gem hall)”.
• This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where all the “Moovars” have rendered their pathigams.
• Karaikkal Ammaiar also rendered her “Mootha Thirupathigam” about Lord Shiva here.
• This temple has three corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. 

History of the Temple

It is believed that originally this temple was constructed by the Chola and Pallava dynasties. This is a very ancient temple. The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of King Paranthaka Chola-I to the last king of Vijayanagaram.

Earlier this village was called Pazhayanur and the place where this temple was located was called Alangadu.  In the Devara Hymns, this place is mentioned as “Pazhayanur Alangadu”.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). This temple is controlled by Thiruthani Murugan temple’s Eexcutive Officer/Joint Commissioner.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016

Location

Coovam is situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and Perambakkam. It is about 18 kms from Sriperumbudur, via Kadampathur and Sunguvar Chathiram.

From Koyambedu, Thiruvallur is about 40 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thiruvirkolam are – Ilambaiyangkottur (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (32 kms), Thakkolam (17 kms), Thiruvalangadu (20 kms) and Thirupachur (19 kms).

General Information           

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 14^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This Shiva lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• The east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• The vimana (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
• There is separate set of Pancha Bootha Sthalams around Chennai and out of that, this is the “Agni” Sthalam.

History of the Temple

This temple is believed to have been built by the kings of the Chola dynasty.

The temple is situated at the origin point of the Coovam river with its sparkling and clear waters.

Legend

It is believed that three demons - Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali had obtained the blessings of Lord Shiva through rigorous penance. Using the gifts that Lord Shiva had given them, they constructed three forts made of gold, silver and iron respectively in three different towns for their protection and these forts became impregnable to any kind of retaliation by anyone. The demons started terrorising the celestial gods and sages who went to Lord Shiva to seek his help.

When Lord Shiva decided to destroy these demons at the request of the celestial gods, the world turned into a chariot, Suryan and Chandran became the drivers (Saradhi), the celestial gods (Devas) form the wheels and Meru, Vasuki and Agri became the bow, the arrow and the arrow’s tip respectively. This event is called “Thiripura Samharam” - Thiri meaning three, Puram meaning town and Samharam meaning destroy in Tamil.

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016 and 23^rd November, 2016

Location

Thirupachur temple is at a distance of about 3 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to Arakkonam route.

Nearest railway station is in Kadambathur which is at a distance of about 4 kms from this temple. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu, Chennai.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thirupachur are – Ilambaiyangkottor (22 kms), Thiruvirkolam (18 kms), Thakkolam (25 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) (14 kms) and Thiruvalangadu (15 kms).

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
• The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.

History of the Temple

It is believed that Chola King Karikalan had built this temple.

The place is also called Than-kathalipuram after the name of Goddess Thangathali. Other historical names of this place are Mayapuri, Abhayapuram, Manickapuri and Cholapuram. 

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016 and 22^nd November, 2016

Location

Ilambaiyangkottur is at a distance of about 24 kms from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and Perambakkam. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu.

From Koovam, it is about 6 kms. Koovam is on the Chennai to Arakkonam road.

From Kanchipuram Ilambaiyangkottur is about 25 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Ilambaiyangkottur are – Thiruvirkolam (10 kms), Thiruvenpakkam (35 kms), Thakkolam (10 kms) and Thirupachur (22 kms).

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”. Clothes and flowers are being offered with the help of a stick.
• This is an east facing temple and it has one corridor. Instead of a main tower (Rajagopuram), there is an arch type entrance. 

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.

Legend

The legend is that on his march to destroy the three demons (Tiripura Samharam) - Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidunmali and protect the Devas, Lord Shiva passed through this place in a chariot. During this journey, the garland (kondrai flowers in Tamil) from Lord Shiva’s neck fell down at this place and became a swayambu lingam. As this lingam is considered to have been formed from the lord’s garland the lord here is considered to be “Theendathirumeni” (untouched by human hands).

Visited on: 17^th July, 2016 and 23^rd November, 2016

Location

Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to Neyveli Kuttu road en route Oothukottai. From the Neyveli Kuttu road the temple is about one kilometre away. The temple is very near to the Poondi dam. From Koyambedu, Thiruvallur is about 40 kms.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Poondi are – Ilambaiyangkottor (35 kms), Thiruvirkolam (32 kms), Thakkolam (38 kms) and Thirupachur (14 kms). 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 17^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. 
• This is an east facing temple and has no main tower (Rajagopuram) but has arches on South and East sides. This temple has two corridors.
• Consecration ceremony was performed on 14^th September, 2016 after renovation.
• This temple is constructed like a madakkoil with steps. Madakkoils are temples that are built at an elevation and have a few steps to be climbed to see the Lord.
• Lord Shiva gave Sundararamurthy Nayanar a walking stick (Oontrukol), hence the lord here is named “Oontreeswarar”. 

History of the Temple

Earlier this Shiva temple was situated on the banks of river Kusashthalai in a village called Thiruvulampudur. During the year 1942, Tamil Nadu Government acquired and took over many villages including Thiruvulampudur for construction of the Poondi water dam. The Government provided alternative land at Thiruvenpakkam (Poondi) for construction of a new temple in place of the old one at Thiruvalampudur. The idols of deities except the moolavar, pillars and sculptures were removed from the old temple of Thiruvulampudur and reinstated at the new location.  For this new temple, the consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 5^th July, 1968.

It is said that the idol of the main deity is newly created as the original one had already been installed at Sri Gangadareswarar temple at Purasapakkam, Chennai.

It is further said that some portion of the old temple’s main tower can still be seen from the banks of the Poondi Lake.