Thiruvalam Sivan Temple | திருவலம் சிவன் கோவில் | Vilvanatheeswarar Temple | வில்வநாதீஸ்வரர் கோவில்

வேலூர் மாவட்டம் திருவலம், ஸ்ரீ வில்வநாதீஸ்வரர் கோவில் திருவலம், பாடல் பெற்ற திருத்தலம், திருவலம் சிவன் ஆலய தல வரலாறு...

Google Map Location : https://goo.gl/maps/qaRnizDLtTMzzZ4w9

வில்வநாதீஸ்வரர் கோவில் திருவலம் # Vilvanatheeswarar Temple Tiruvalam # சிவன் ஆலயம் # Tiruvalam Sivan Temple # Lord Shiva # Lord Siva # சிவன் # வில்வநாதீஸ்வரர் ஆலயம், திருவலம், வேலூர் மாவட்டம் # சிவாலயம்


Location

Thiruvalam is about 130 kms from Koyambedu, Chennai on the Chennai to old Bangalore road. If you are travelling from Chennai, on Chennai to old Bangalore road, the route is Walajapet – Ranipet - Muthukadai – Thiruvalam. From Ranipet, Thiruvalam is at a distance of about 12 kms. It is located near the famous old iron bridge.

Another route to reach Thiruvalam is via Veore. It is 25 kms from Vellore on the Vellore to Katpadi road.
General Information
Moolavar
Sri Vilvanatheswarar, Sri Vallanathar
Ambal
Sri Thanumathyambal, Sri Vallaambikai
Theertham (Holy water)
Gouri Theertham, Neeva River
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Vilvam
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar


This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 10th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested lingam).
This temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 4-tiers and this temple has three corridors (Praharam).
The temple is facing east with an entrance from south.

History of the Temple

This temple is located on the banks of the Neeva river (also called Ponnai river).

It is said that Lord Shiva was worshiped by a demon (asura) called Theekkali, so this place is also known as Theekkali Vallam.

This is a huge and beautiful temple, built by the kings of Pallava and Chola dynasties. There are quite a few references of Rajendra Chola in the stone inscriptions.

The stone inscriptions in this temple reveal that this was an important pilgrimage centre in the past. We can find references of pilgrims using Thiruvalam as a resting place before journeying to other pilgrimages in southern states and as far off places as Banaras (Kasi) in Uttar Pradesh.


Legend

According to legend, in ancient times this region was densely covered with Vilva trees. It is believed that once, a few locals had noticed a cow pouring its milk on a particular ant-hill every day. After clearing that place, they found a Swayambu lingam and built a temple around it.

Another legend associated with this place is that when the temple priest used to bring water for Pooja / Abishekam, he was being troubled by a demon (asura) called Kanjan. The priest complained to Lord Shiva about his troubles and on hearing his plea, Lord Shiva instructed Nandhi (his mount) to kill the demon.

Nandhi executed the lord’s order and killed the demon. It is said that Nandhi tore the demon into eight pieces and these eight parts fell in eight different places – Lalapettai (skull), Seekarajapuram (head), Maveri (chest), Vadakal (right leg), Thenkal (left leg), Maniampattu (wrist), Kugayanallur (intestines), Narasingapuram (nerves) and Maruthampakkam (thorax). Later, in all these places Shiva temples were constructed.

Seeking absolution for his sins, the demon Kanjan pleaded to Lord Shiva. The lord answered his pleas and his request for pardon and granted him “mukti”. The lord also blessed him by saying that wherever his blood had fallen, a Shiva lingam would appear. Even today one can see hundreds of such Shiva lingams on the nearby hill. It is also believed that if one digs anywhere on the hill, he can find a Shiva lingam.


Deities in the temple

The goddess “Sri Thanumathyambal” is in a separate temple and she is also called "Theekali Ambal". The corridor of this temple houses the Shiva lingams that are believed to have been installed and worshipped by Goddess Parvathi (Gouri), Lord Mahavishnu and Sage Sanakar.

In the outer corridor idols of Kasi Viswanthar, Chandramouleeswarar, Annamalaiyar, Sadhasivar, Anandhar, Sreekandar, Ambikeswarar, Vitharaeswarar and Guru Eswarar can be seen. Also, there is a separate Sahasra lingam (1008 very small lingams engraved in a big lingam) in the corridor.

Separate shrines for Lord Murugan with Valli and Devasena, Aadhi Vilvanathar, Sundareswarar with Meenakshi and idol of “Kani Vangiya Vinayagar” can be seen. Both granite and bronze procession idols of the 63 Nayanmars can be seen in the inner corridor.

There is a huge Nandhi sculpture at the entrance of the temple and is said to have been installed by Siddhar Sivanandha Mouna Guru Swamigal.