Visited on: 17th July, 2016 and 22nd 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
- Moolavar
- Sri Arambeswarar, Sri Chandrasekarar
Sri Daivanayakeswarar - Ambal
- Sri Kanaka Kujambikai, Sri Kodenthu Mulaiyammai
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Chandra Theertham / Malligai Theertham
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Jasmine (Mara Malligai) - not the plant but the Tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar (Sambanthar)
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13th 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).


During the march, it is believed that all the devas who were under the commands of Lord Shiva stopped and worshipped this swayambu lingam. Hence this lingam here is praised as “Daiva Nayaka Easwarar” (literally translated as “the lord who was worshiped by the rest of the gods”).
Another legend associated with this place is that Lord Shiva at this place is said to have been worshiped by the apsaras (Arambais) Ramba, Urvasi and Menaka – the magical beings of the celestial world.
They sought the blessings of Lord Shiva in order to keep their alluring beauty perennially. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of Yoga Dakshinamurthy and blessed them with the gift of perennial youth (Ilamai in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name Ilambayangkottur, which over a period of time was changed to “Elimiyan Kottur”. Since the Apsaras (Arambais) worshiped the lord here, he is also praised as Sri Arambeswarar,






Another legend associated with this temple is that when Saint Sambanthar was travelling near this place, Lord Shiva wanted to direct him to go to this temple. He tried to seek Sambanthar’s attention in a couple of ways – first he appeared as a child, second time as an old man but neither Sambanthar nor his followers could recognize it. Third time Lord Shiva took the form of a white cow and hit his palanquin, Sambanthar realized that this was none other than Lord Shiva himself and followed the cow to the temple. On reaching the temple, the cow disappeared. Sambanthar mentioned about this incident in the third stanza of this temple’s hymn.
The significance of Sambanthar’s hymn about the lord of this temple is that in all the stanzas he mentioned the words “Enathu urai thanathu uraiyaka” meaning whatever he says are not from him but from the God himself.
It is said that Chandran (Moon), who was cursed by King Dakshan, had worshiped Lord Shiva here after taking a holy dip in the Malligai Theertham in order to seek absolution for his sins.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Mahavishnu, Suryan, Chandran, Brahma, Bairavar, Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the corridor. There is also a Shivalingam with 16 stripes that is said to have been worshiped by Arambais,
Lord Dakshinamurthy can be seen here as Yoga Dakshinamurthy and is in unique posture - with his right hand placed on his chest (“Chin muthirai” in Tamil).








Salient Features
The Swayambu lingam here is mixture of white and red colours and is covered most of the times by a metal sheet (Kavacham).
It is said that every year from April 2 to 7 and from September 5 to 11, sun rays fall directly on the lingam in this temple. During that time, it is believed that the Sun God (Suryan) is worshiping Lord Shiva.
This temple is considered to be significant for its three important attributes – Murthy, Sthalam and Theertham - glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank.
Greatness of this temple
As the Lord Deivanayaka Easwarar is considered to have been worshiped by rest of the gods, devotees believe that worshiping Lord Shiva here would negate the ill effects of previous births.
Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy is very famous in this temple and worshiping him on full moon night is considered to be auspicious. It is believed that worshiping this lord would relieve any ill effects from planet Jupiter (Guru in Tamil). Also, it is believed that since Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy blessed Arambais with the gift of perennial youth, worshiping him at this place will give devotees a charismatic personality.
Important Festivals
Guru (Jupiter) transit days, Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March), Arudra Dharisanam in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) and Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (November-December) are the major festivals celebrated in this temple.
Monthly Pradosham is also observed.
Temple Timings
From 07:00 AM to 12:00 noon and from 04:00 PM to 07:00 PM.
Temple Address
Sri Deivanayakeswarar Temple
Ilambaiyangkottur
Kappangkottor Post
Edaiyarpakkam Via
Sriperumpudur Taluk
Kanchipuram District
Tamil Nadu – 631553.
Tele: +91 44 - 2769 2412.
The temple's priest, Sri Brahmme Sivam can be contacted at 9600043000 and 094448 65714.

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