The visit to this Sri Valampurinathar Temple, also called Malayandi Temple at Valayapatti, was part of the “Sivaganga and Pudukkottai Temples
and Heritage Sites Visit” on 2nd and 3rd September
2026. The Shiva and Murugan temples are on top of a
small hill. Even though this temple is dedicated to Shiva, generally called the Malayandi
temple.
Moolavar : Sri Valampurinathar
Consort : Sri Vaduvahir Vizhiyal
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east on a small hill, and 32 steps are built to reach the top. A 5-tier Rajagopuram with a mandapam is on the top hill. The 2nd-level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers, before the mukha mandapam. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are in the open mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on either side of
the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. In the koshtam:
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.
In
the praharam: Nalvar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena subramaniar, Maha Lakshmi,
Chandikeswarar, Natarajar with Sivakami, Bairavar, Saniswarar, Chandran, and
Suryan.
In
the mukha mandapam: Saraswati, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Vaduvahir
Vizhiyal, Navagrahas, and Vinayagar with Nagars. Ayyappan Sannidhi with Manja
Matha is at the south-side entrance. Sri Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and
Bhudevi Sannidhi is on the north-west corner of the premises.
Ambal
Sri Vaduvahir Vizhiyal is in a separate Sannidhi. Dwarapalakis are at the
entrance. Ambal is in a three-bhanga standing posture with two hands. Holds a lotus flower in the right hand, and the left hand is in dola hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha
mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada pandha adhistanam with jagathy,
three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The
pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and pushpa
pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The vimanam
over the bhumi desam is with three tala nagara vimanam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy,
and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.
Ambal
temple vimanam is of two talas vesara Vimanam. Bairavar sannidhi is with an eka
tala nagara vimanam. Stucco image of Bairavar is in the koshtam.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple belongs to the 19th century, built by Nattukottai Nagarathars
about 138 years ago. The Moolavar Shiva Lingam was brought from the Pidaripatti
bamboo bush and installed in this temple.
The
1st Ashta Balthana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1892,
The
2nd Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 30th August
1916,
The
3rd Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09th February
1941,
The
4th Maha kumbhabhshekam was conducted on 21st April 1978,
The
5th Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 5th January
1993,
The,
6th and 116th year Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on
10th February 2008, and
The
7th and 132nd year Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on
08th September 2024,
The borewell was donated by Valayapatti Rama C Rama Valliappa Chettiar on 3rd
September 2000; the mukha mandapam was constructed by A. Peri. Rama. Annamalai Chettiar on 10th February 2008, and solar lighting was provided by
Dr. Pe. Na. Nachiappan U.S.A.
In
connection with the 1993 Maha Kumbhabhishekam, the outer praharam floor was paved with
stone by 4 persons.
The
Rajagopuram was constructed and consecrated on 08th September 2024.
The
temple is under the control of the HR & CE Department and is being maintained by
the hereditary trustees.
LEGENDS
This
is one of the few Shiva temples constructed on Hills. It is said that the Shiva
Lingam was brought from a nearby village, and its antiquity is not known. Since
the Shiva Lingam is on a square avudaiyar, Shiva was worshipped by siddhars and
Munis.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri,
Kiruthigai, Thai Poosam, Soora samharam, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Vinayagar
Chaturthi, etc.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00
hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
mobile numbers +91 9944020202 or +91 98428 45529 may be contacted
for poojas and further details.
HOW
TO REACH
The
Malayandi temple is 1.3 km from Ponnamaravathi, 28.4 km from Tirupattur, 34 km
from Pillayarpatti, 37 km from Pudukkottai, and 50 km from Karaikudi.
The
nearest Railway Station is Pudukkottai.
Mahavishnu TempleMaha Vishnu with consorts
A Vel on the opposite hill
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
