A colourful tiered temple tower lit against a night sky, with the name Thiruvalithayam in Tamil on a board

Swayambu

Thiruvalidayam Sri Thiruvalleswarar Temple 21st of 32 in Thondai Nadu · Temples near Chennai

Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Moolavar: Valithaya Nathar, Valleeswarar
Ambal: Jagadhambal, Thayammai
Theertham: Baradwaja Theertham
Sthala vriksham: Padhiri tree
Pathigam by: Thirugnanasambanthar

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 16 July 2016900 words · 5 min

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

Moolavar: Sri Valithaya Nathar, Sri Valleeswarar
Ambal: Sri Jagadhambal, Sri Thayammai
Theertham (Holy water): Baradwaja Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Padhiri tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by: Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

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.

A tiered painted tower over a grey gateway, with a lit passage and crowd inside leading to the temple

Legend

According to the legend, Lord Brahma's two daughters - Kamalai and Vimalai wished to marry Lord Shiva. Knowing that their wish is very difficult to be fulfilled, Lord Brahma sent them to worship Lord Shiva on the banks of river Paalaru. Lord Shiva was pleased with their penance and appeared before them. He told them that it was not possible for him to marry them as he was already married to Goddess Parvathi. He further advised them to marry Lord Vinayakar instead. Heeding Lord Shiva’s wishes, they married Lord Vinayakar in this place as soon as he returned after conquering the demon king Gajamukasuran.

(Another legend states that Lord Vinayakar’s wives are called Siddhi and Buddhi.)

Another legend is associated with this place dates back to the time of Mahabharatha. It is believed that Sage Bharadwaj (Dhronachariyar’s father), had visited this temple. It is believed that once Sage Bharadwaj had been cursed to take the form of a bird. He visited many Shiva temples and worship the lord to seek relief from this curse. Finally, he is believed to have reached this place, created a well (Bharadwaja Theertham), worshipped Lord Shiva here and got his curse lifted. The name Thiru Valithayam comes from “Valiyan” – a black bird in Tamil and “Thiru” is a respectful prefix. Hence, the lord here is also praised as “Sri Valithaya Nathar”.

It is believed that Lords Indra, Mahavishnu, Ram, Hanuman, Lov, Kush, Manmadan, Sugreeva, Sage Agasthiar, Sage Bharadwaj, Yama, Vayu, Agni, Sun and Moon have worshiped the lord here.

It is believed that Planet Jupiter (Brahaspathi /Guru Bhagwan) worshipped Lord Shiva here and got relieved of his sins.

Deities in the temple

Apart from shrines for the main deities - Lord Tiruvalleeswarar and Goddess Jagathambikai, there are shrines and idols of lords Varasidhi Vinayakar, Murugan, Somaskandar, Anjaneyar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Suryan, Chandran, Dakshinamoorthy, Durgai, Navagraham, Bairavar, Nalvar and Arunagirinathar in the corridors.

Lord Vinayakar can be seen with his consorts and he is in his wedding form.

The corridors of this temple have Shivalingams that are believed to have been worshipped by Lord Indra, Sage Bharadwaj and Hanuman.

There is a separate shrine for Jupiter (Lord Guru Bhagwan) in the outer corridor.

A dressed idol in yellow cloth inside a golden arch, under a yellow Tamil board reading Sri Guru Bhagwan

Salient Features

As per the sthala puranam, there are eleven temples situated around this temple that adorn Thiruvalithayam like a garland. This makes Thiruvalidayam very auspicious. These eleven temples are – Mylapore, Thiruvanmiyur, Thiruverkadu, Thiruvirkolam, Thiru Ilambayankottur, Thiruvooral, Thiruvalangadu, Thiruvenpakkam, Thirupachur, Thirumullaivoyal and Thiruvogtriyur.

The vimana (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special style of architecture called the Gaja Brishtam. This makes the vimanam look like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).

The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of a semi-circular tank (Akazhi in Tamil).

A dark, rounded stone wall with stepped bands beside a lit corridor and a red metal platform

Goddess Jagathambikai is facing south. From a single place, one is able to get dharisanam of both Lord Valleeswarar and the Goddess Jagathambikai.

Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

The pillars of this temple have beautiful reliefs depicting many gods from the Hindu mythology. These include carvings of Lords Natarajar, Murugan, Kothandaramar, Machavathara Moorthy and Koormavadhara Moorthy.

Greatness of this temple

Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here on full moon days will grant them salvation.

This temple is considered as one of the Guru Parihara sthalams.

As Lord Vinayakar is in his wedding form in this temple, it is believed by devotees that worshiping him here will expedite their marriage proposals.

Important Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are –

Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May),

Thai Kruthikai in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb),

Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov),

Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan),

Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and

Jupiter (Guru) transit days.

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and from 04.30 PM to 08.30 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Thiruvalleswarar Temple,
Thiruvalidayam, Padi,
Ambathur Taluk,
Thiruvallur District
Tamil Nadu – 600 050.
Tele: +91 - 44 - 2654 0706.

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Today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Phone+91 - 44 - 2654 0706

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

A Guru Parihara sthalam

This temple is considered one of the Guru Parihara sthalams, and the sanctum vimanam is in the Gaja Brishtam style.

Parihara sthalam for GuruThis temple is famous as a Parihara Sthalam for Lord Guru (planet Jupiter).
Vinayakar in wedding formLord Vinayakar can be seen with his consorts and he is in his wedding form.
The Gaja Brishtam vimanamThis makes the vimanam look like the rear of an elephant.

Significance

A Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam

Thirugnanasambanthar sang a Pathigam here, and eleven temples around it are said to adorn it like a garland.

Its place among the sthalamsIt is the 21st Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
Eleven temples like a garlandAs per the sthala puranam, eleven temples situated around this temple adorn Thiruvalithayam like a garland.
Praised in the ThirupugazhSaint Arunagirinadhar sang in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple.

Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for marriage, for salvation and for relief through Lord Guru.

For marriageDevotees believe that worshiping Lord Vinayakar here will expedite their marriage proposals.
For salvationDevotees believe that worshiping the lord here on full moon days will grant them salvation.
For Lord Guru's graceThis temple is considered as one of the Guru Parihara sthalams.

The three-tiered tower at night, with the temple name board

276Paadal Petra Sthalams

Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

The name Thiruvalithayam

திருa respectful prefix
வலியன்a black bird in Tamil

The name comes from Valiyan, a black bird in Tamil, with Thiru as a respectful prefix.

Thiruvalithayam, now known as Paadi

Legends of Thiruvalithayam

Kamalai and Vimalai, daughters of Lord Brahma, married Lord Vinayakar in this place as soon as he returned after conquering the demon king Gajamukasuran.

Sage Bharadwaj created a well, worshipped Lord Shiva here and got his curse lifted.

Planet Jupiter worshipped Lord Shiva here and got relieved of his sins.

Saints of this temple

ThirugnanasambantharHe visited this temple and sang a Pathigam here.
ArunagirinadharHe sang in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in the Thirupugazh.
Sage BharadwajHe created Bharadwaja Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Festivals

Brahmotsavam, Thai Kruthikai, Annabishekam, Thiruvadhirai and Shivrathri are celebrated, and Pradosham is observed regularly.

The deities of this temple

* Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

From the sanctum to the corridors

Moolavarவ

Moolavar

Sri Valithaya Nathar

Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). He is also praised as Sri Valleeswarar.

Ambalஜ

Ambal

Sri Jagadhambal

Goddess Jagathambikai is facing south. From a single place, one is able to get dharisanam of both Lord Valleeswarar and the Goddess.

Shrine in the corridorவி

Shrine in the corridor

Lord Vinayakar

Lord Vinayakar can be seen with his consorts and he is in his wedding form.

Shrine in the outer corridor

Lord Guru Bhagwan

There is a separate shrine for Jupiter (Lord Guru Bhagwan) in the outer corridor.

Sacred geography

You are hereThis temple

Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

7:00 – 12:004:30 – 8:30 pm

Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

Plan the day around it

Address and phone

Sri Thiruvalleswarar Temple, Thiruvalidayam, Padi, Ambathur Taluk, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu – 600 050.

+91 - 44 - 2654 0706

A day of darshan nearby

5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 57.5 km in straight lines.

Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

Open this route in Google Maps →

The tower and east gate

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

1 / 5

Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

V. Muthukumaraswamy

Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 11.

Patharōṭupala rumpoliyam'malar aṅkaip puṉalthūvi

othasolliyula kathavarthānthozhu thētha uyarseṉṉi

mathamvaithaperu māṉpiriyāthuṟai kiṉtṟa valithāyam

Devotees gather, scattering flowers and water from their cupped hands, and the people of the world join in praising the lord who wears the mattam flower on his high head and dwells without parting at Valithayam. Trouble and illness do not approach the devotees who set their minds on his feet.

Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

All eleven verses

01
பத்தரோடுபல ரும்பொலியம்மலர் அங்கைப் புனல்தூவிஒத்தசொல்லியுல கத்தவர்தாந்தொழு தேத்த உயர்சென்னி மத்தம்வைத்தபெரு மான்பிரியாதுறை கின்ற வலிதாயம்சித்தம்வைத்தஅடி யாரவர் மேலடை யாமற் றிடர்நோயே

Patharōṭupala rumpoliyam'malar aṅkaip puṉalthūvi / othasolliyula kathavarthānthozhu thētha uyarseṉṉi / mathamvaithaperu māṉpiriyāthuṟai kiṉtṟa valithāyam / sithamvaitha'aṭi yāravar mēlaṭai yāmaṟ ṟiṭarnōyē
02
படையிலங்குகரம் எட்டுடை யான்படி றாகக் கனலேந்திக்கடையிலங்குமனையிற்பலிகொண்டுணுங் கள்வன்னுறை கோயில்மடையிலங்குபொழி லின்நிழல்வாய்மது வீசும் வலிதாயம் அடையநின்றஅடி யார்க்கடையாவினை அல்லல் துயர்தானே

Paṭaiyilaṅkukaram eṭṭuṭai yāṉpaṭi ṟākak kaṉalēnthik / kaṭaiyilaṅku maṉaiyiṟ palikoṇṭuṇuṅ kaḷvaṉṉuṟai kōyil / maṭaiyilaṅkupozhi liṉnizhalvāymathu vīsum valithāyam / aṭaiyaniṉtṟa'aṭi yārkkaṭaiyāviṉai allal thuyarthāṉē
03
ஐயனொய்யன்அணி யன்பிணியில்லவ ரென்றுந் தொழுதேத்தச்செய்யன்வெய்யபடை யேந்தவல்லான்திரு மாதோ டுறைகோயில்வையம்வந்துபணி யப்பிணிதீர்த்துயர் கின்ற வலிதாயம்உய்யும்வண்ணம்நினை மின்நினைந்தால்வினை தீருந் நலமாமே

Aiyaṉoyyaṉaṇi yaṉpiṇiyillava reṉtṟun thozhuthēthach / cheyyaṉveyyapaṭai yēnthavallāṉthiru māthō ṭuṟaikōyil / vaiyamvanthupaṇi yappiṇithīrthuyar kiṉtṟa valithāyam / uyyumvaṇṇamniṉai miṉniṉainthālviṉai thīrun nalamāmē
04
ஒற்றைஏறதுடை யான்நடமாடியோர் பூதப் படைசூழப்புற்றில்நாகம்அரை யார்த்துழல்கின்றஎம் பெம்மான் மடவாளோடுற்றகோயிலுல கத்தொளிமல்கிட உள்கும் வலிதாயம்பற்றிவாழும்அது வேசரணாவது பாடும் மடியார்க்கே

Otṟṟai'ēṟathuṭai yāṉnaṭamāṭiyōr pūthap paṭaichūḻzhp / putṟilnākamarai yārthuzhalkiṉtṟa'em pem'māṉ maṭavāḷō / ṭutṟakōyilula kathoḷimalkiṭa uḷkum valithāyam / patṟivāzhumathu vēsaraṇāvathu pāṭum maṭiyārkkē
05
புந்தியொன்றிநினை வார்வினையாயின தீரப் பொருளாய அந்தியன்னதொரு பேரொளியான்அமர் கோயில் அயலெங்கும்மந்திவந்துகடு வன்னொடுங்கூடி வணங்கும் வலிதாயஞ்சிந்தியாதஅவர் தம்மடும்வெந்துயர் தீர்த லெளிதன்றே

Punthiyoṉtṟiniṉai vārviṉaiyāyiṉa thīrap poruḷāya / anthiyaṉṉathoru pēroḷiyāṉamar kōyil ayaleṅkum / manthivanthukaṭu vaṉṉoṭuṅkūṭi vaṇaṅkum valithāyañ / sinthiyātha'avar tham'maṭumventhuyar thīrtha leḷithaṉtṟē
06
ஊனியன்றதலை யிற்பலிகொண்டுல கத்துள் ளவரேத்தக்கானியன்றகரி யின்னுரிபோர்த்துழல் கள்வன் சடைதன்மேல் வானியன்றபிறை வைத்தஎம்மாதி மகிழும் வலிதாயம்தேனியன்றநறு மாமலர்கொண்டுநின் றேத்தத் தெளிவாமே

Ūṉiyaṉtṟathalai yiṟpalikoṇṭula kathuḷ ḷavarēththak / kāṉiyaṉtṟakari yiṉṉuripōrthuzhal kaḷvaṉ saṭaithaṉmēl / vāṉiyaṉtṟapiṟai vaitha'em'māthi makizhum valithāyam / thēṉiyaṉtṟanaṟu māmalarkoṇṭuniṉ tṟēthath theḷivāmē
07
கண்ணிறைந்தவிழி யின்னழலால்வரு காமன் னுயிர்வீட்டிப் பெண்ணிறைந்தவொரு பால்மகிழ்வெய்திய பெம்மா னுறைகோயில்மண்ணிறைந்தபுகழ் கொண்டடியார்கள் வணங்கும் வலிதாயத்துண்ணிறைந்தபெரு மான்கழலேத்தநம் உண்மைக் கதியாமே

Kaṇṇiṟainthavizhi yiṉṉazhalālvaru kāmaṉ ṉuyirvīṭṭip / peṇṇiṟainthavoru pālmakizhveythiya pem'mā ṉuṟaikōyil / maṇṇiṟainthapukazh koṇṭaṭiyārkaḷ vaṇaṅkum valithāyath / thuṇṇiṟainthaperu māṉkazhalēthanam uṇmaik kathiyāmē
08
கடலில்நஞ்சமமு துண்டிமையோர்தொழு தேத்த நடமாடிஅடலிலங்கையரை யன்வலிசெற்றருள் அம்மா னமர்கோயில்மடலிலங்குகமு கின்பலவின்மது விம்மும் வலிதாயம்உடலிலங்கும் உயிர்ருள்ளளவுந்தொழ உள்ளத் துயர்போமே

Kaṭalilnañcamamu thuṇṭimaiyōrthozhu thēththa naṭamāṭi / aṭalilaṅkaiyarai yaṉvalisetṟaruḷ am'mā ṉamarkōyil / maṭalilaṅkukamu kiṉpalaviṉmatu vim'mum valithāyam / uṭalilaṅkum uyirruḷḷaḷavunthozha uḷḷat thuyarpōmē
09
பெரியமேருவரை யேசிலையாமலை வுற்றா ரெயில்மூன்றும் எரியஎய்தவொரு வன்னிருவர்க்கறி வொண்ணா வடிவாகும் எரியதாகியுற வோங்கியவன்வலி தாயந் தொழுதேத்தஉரியராகவுடை யார்பெரியாரென உள்கும் முலகோரே

Periyamēruvarai yēsilaiyāmalai vutṟā reyilmūṉtṟum / eriya'eythavoru vaṉṉiruvarkkaṟi voṇṇā vaṭivākum / eriyathākiyuṟa vōṅkiyavaṉvali thāyan thozhuthēththa / uriyarākavuṭai yārperiyāreṉa uḷkum mulakōrē
10
ஆசியாரமொழி யாரமண் சாக்கிய ரல்லா தவர்கூடிஏசியீரமில ராய்மொழிசெய்தவர் சொல்லைப் பொருளென்னேல்வாசிதீர அடியார்க்கருள்செய்து வளர்ந்தான் வலிதாயம்பேசும் ஆர்வமுடை யாரடியாரெனப் பேணும் பெரியோரே

Āsiyāramozhi yāramaṇ chākkiya rallā thavarkūṭi / ēsiyīramila rāymozhiseythavar sollaip poruḷeṉṉēl / vāsithīra aṭiyārkkaruḷseythu vaḷarnthāṉ valithāyam / pēsum ārvamuṭai yāraṭiyāreṉap pēṇum periyōrē
11
வண்டுவைகும்மணம் மல்கியசோலை வளரும் வலிதாயத் தண்டவாணனடி யுள்குதலால்அருள் மாலைத் தமிழாகக்கண்டல்வைகுகடற் காழியுள்ஞானசம் பந்தன் தமிழ்பத்துங் கொண்டுவைகியிசை பாடவல்லார்குளிர் வானத் துயர்வாரே

In the last verse the poet names himself as Gnanasambandan of Kazhi, and says that those who can sing these Tamil verses will rise to the cool heavens.

Vaṇṭuvaikum'maṇam malkiyachōlai vaḷarum valithāyath / thaṇṭavāṇaṉaṭi yuḷkutalālaruḷ mālaith thamizhākak / kaṇṭalvaikukaṭaṟ kāzhiyuḷ gñāṉasam banthaṉ tamizhpaththuṅ / koṇṭuvaikiyisai pāṭavallārkuḷir vāṉath thuyarvārē

Photographs

4 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.