Monday, 1 June 2026

Sri Bhavani Amman Temple/ஸ்ரீ பவானி அம்மன் கோயில், பெரியபாளையம்/ Periyapalayam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The first visit to this Sri Bhavani Amman Temple was a part of Tirupati Pada Yathra. From the common post, Bhavani Amman Temple's part was separated and written as a separate post, with the latest photos and details. For the details of the original post, please click the link. 
 
Again visited this temple as part of “Gajabrushta / Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit” in Thiruvallur District on 22nd March 2026. The temple is on the banks of the Arani River, also called the Brahmaranya River in ancient times. 


Moolavar: Sri Bhavani Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. A 3-tier Rajagopuram is also on the other three sides. Sakthi Mandapam is on the east side of the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakis are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, Amman is in a sitting posture. Amman is with Jwala Makuda and 4 hands, of which the upper hands hold Shankha and Chakra, and the lower hands hold a sword and a bowl. A head-sized metal Amman image is at the feet of Bhavani Amman.  

The Utsavar is in a separate sannidhi on the back side of the sanctum sanctorum. The golden chariot is in the outer praharam.

The complex consists of an anthill, Athputha Vinayagar sannidhi, tonsuring place, and offering place for salt & pepper, and the cocks & hens.

Sakthi
ARCHITECTURE
The whole temple was constructed with bricks and concrete. 4 Rajagopurams are in each direction, of which the east side Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers and the rest are 3 tiers. Stucco images of a cow feeding milk to the calf are on both sides of the entrance to the Rajagopurams. Stucco images of Vinayagar with Mahalakshmi and Saraswati are on the first level, at the top of the Rajagopuram entrance. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum and the mandapam around it. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu potyal. Two tala vesara vimanam are on the bhumi desam. Ambal’s various forms are on the vimanam.

The praharam roof lintels are with stucco bas-reliefs of shankha and chakra. The praharam pillars are with stucco images of various forms of Bhavani Amman, Durgai, Mahsihamardini, Naga Devthas, etc.





HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that Bhavani Amman is self-manifested under a neem tree. The present structure belongs to the 20th century. The temple has undergone many changes, and new facilities are on the anvil.

LEGENDS
Through the divine voice, Kamsa was told that his death would happen through the eighth child of his sister Devaki, who married Vasudeva.  When Kamsa tried to kill his sister Devaki, Vasudeva promised to give the eighth child. Despite Vasudeva’s promise, Kamsa killed all seven children. Maha Vishnu took the Krishna avatar and was born as eight child. Krishna asked to interchange the Children born to both Yasodha (Maya Devi) and Devaki (Krishna). When Kamsa tried to kill Mayadevi, she kicked at his chest and flew to the skies.

Kamsa, hence, ordered to kill all the children born on that date. He sent demons to kill Krishna. Krishna killed all the demons, including Sakatasura and Trunavartha. All the attempts to kill Krishna by Kamsa failed. Finally, he was killed by Krishna through Sri Bhavani Amman. And it was Goddess Bhavani who manifested herself on earth to relieve the distress of human beings and to give them all Happiness and prosperity and to wipe off their sins.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted. 108 pot milk abhishekam on the Chithirai Pournami day, Adi month Fridays, Vinayagar chaturthi in the month of Avani, Vijayadasami in the month of Puratasi, Markazhi month early morning poojas, Hanuman Jayanti, Thai poosam, etc.

Golden chariot

Devotees pray to Bhavani Amman for a child boon, marriage, to resolve court cases, etc. They do Parikara poojas also in this temple. When the wishes are fulfilled, devotees offer pepper and salt, hen & Cock, tonsure their heads, circumambulate the prahara, and worship with a neem leaf dress covering the body, etc.

Provision of locks to solve the problem
Tying cardles for Child boon
 Cock, Hen offerings
வேப்பிலை ஆடை உடுத்தி பிரார்த்தனை

 Pepper and salt offerings

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 05.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and from 14.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs. On Sundays, the temple will be open continuously from 05.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number +919444487487 and the landline number 044-27927177 may be contacted for further details.
The temple’s website:

HOW TO REACH
The temple at Periyapalayam on the Uthukottai Road is about 500 meters from the bus stand.
Buses are available from Chennai, Madhavaram, and Red Hills. The temple is about 17.6 km from Uthukottai, 21 km from Gummidipundi & Ponneri, 25 km from Red Hills, 33 km from Thiruvallur, and 40 km from Koyambedu.
The nearest railway stations are Gummidipundi and Ponneri.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE






Sakthi mandapam
Temple view from the riverside
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sunday, 31 May 2026

Sri Imuktheeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ ஐமுக்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், பெரியபாளையம்/ Periyapalayam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Imuktheeswarar Temple at Periyapalayam was a part of “Gajabrushta / Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit” in Thiruvallur District on 22nd March 2026. The temple is on the banks of the Arani River, which was known as the Brahmaranya River during ancient times. 


Moolavar  : Sri Imuktheeswarar
Consort    : Sri Annapoornamba

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces west with a 3-tier Rajagopuram (The Rajagopuram is kept locked since there is no access from the west side/ Arani River side. The entrance to the temple is on the east side with an arch. A stucco image of Shiva with Parvati is on the arch. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. Nalvar and Natarajar, with Sivakami and Manickavasagar, are in the mandapam. In the koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal Annapoornamba is in a separate temple on the left side of the main temple, facing west. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In the outer praharam, Vinayagar, Ayyappan, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Saniswaran, Anjaneyar, Navagrahas, Chandran, Suryan, madappalli, and the office room.
 
Sri Srinivasa Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi Temple is on the back side of the Shiva Temple, which faces west. Anjaneyar is on the north side of Srinivasa Perumal’s temple.  





ARCHITECTURE
The whole temple was constructed with bricks. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and a common ardha mandapam for the Shiva and Ambal temples. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai and vettu potyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. One tala dravida vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams. 



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Believed that the temple is more than 1000 years old and received contributions from Pallavas, Chozhas, Vijayanagaras, etc. But the present structure may be 400 to 500 years old, and some of the structures were added in recent years.

Jeernodharana Ashta bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 28th January 1974, 24th August 2004, and 13th May 2024. 





LEGENDS
It is believed that the Sri Pallikondeeswarar Temple at Suruttapalli (Thathpurusham), Imuktheeswarar temple at Periyapalayam (Isaanam), Sampangi Pichaleeswarar Temple at Arani (Vamadhevam), Varamoortheeswarar Temple at Ariyathurai (Sathyojaatham), and Sri Chinthamaneeswarar Temple at Karungali (Agoram) are believed to be part of the group of Pancha Brahma Sthalams, consecrated by the Sage Agasthiya for the 5 aspects of Shiva. The Arani River was called the Brahmaranya River during ancient times. 

Valmiki Munivar did penance for Shiva and Parvati. Satisfied with his penance, Shiva and Parvati gave darshan and blessed him. Hence, this place was called Valmiki Ashram.

As per the legend, the pancha bhutas, Pritvi, Appu, Theyu, Vayu and Akash, came to Mount Kailash without Nandi’s permission and entered inside at an inappropriate time. Angered, Shiva cursed them to become monkeys. When they asked Shiva how to get rid of the curse. Shiva said that they will be relieved from the curse if they worship Shiva Lingam, worshipped by the sage Valmiki at this place. All the pancha bhutas worshipped Shiva of this temple and got relieved from the curse. Hence, Shiva is called Imuktheeswarar.

In another legend, the disciple of Valmiki, the king Kamaruba Desathipathi (Chitravarman), while ruling this place, there was no rain, and the people suffered due to drought. So they prayed to Shiva, worshipped by Valmiki. Ambal, in the form of Mohini, served food to the people of his country. Hence, Ambal is called Annapoornamba. As a token of gratitude shown to his country, the king constructed a temple with vimana and gopuras and worshipped Shiva and Ambal of this temple.   


POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chaturthi, Adi Pooram, Gokulashtami, Krishnar Jayanti, Srinivasa Perumal Thirumanjanam and Unjal Seva in Puratasi, Karthigai Deepam, Thai month Thiruvilakku Pooja, Panguni Ramanavami, Panguni Uthiram, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, etc.


TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
Gurukkal P R Kumar, a hereditary trustee, may be contacted for further details. Alternatively, the mobile numbers +919994745964 and +917339600998 may be contacted for further details. 

HOW TO REACH
The temple is by the side of the Periyapalayam bus stand, on the main road. Buses are available from Madhavaram and Red Hills. The temple is about 17.6 km from Uthukottai, 21 km from Gummidipundi & Ponneri, 25 km from Red Hills, 33 km from Thiruvallur, and 40 km from Koyambedu.
The nearest railway stations are Gummidipundi and Ponneri.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE





Srinivasa Perumal Sannidhi

View from the riverside
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Saturday, 30 May 2026

Sri Nambalishwarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ நம்பாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில், பெரியபாளையம்/ Periyapalayam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Nambalishwarar Temple at Periyapalayam was a part of “Gajabrushta / Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit” in Thiruvallur District on 22nd March 2026. The temple is on the banks of the Arani River, also called the Brahmaranya River during ancient times. 



Moolavar    : Sri Nambalishwarar
Consort      : Sri Maragathavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram on the south side entrance. Stucco images of Shiva with Parvati (Nandi Devar and Suka Munivar are in a worshipping posture on both sides), Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar are on the top of the mukha mandapam. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar and Srinivasa Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi are on the top of the east side wall. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are on the east side. Moolavar is a little short, in a square avudaiyar. Utsavars are on the back side of the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Nalvar and Natarajar with Sivakami are in the inner praharam.

Ambal Maragathavalli is in a separate sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In the outer praharam, Amirta Vinayagar, Ayyappan, Nagathamman with an anthill, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Saniswaran, loose sculptures, Anjaneyar, Navagrahas, Vahana mandapam, and office room.  

Sri Srinivasa Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi sannidhi is in the mukha mandapam. Garudan is opposite the sannidhi.


 Srinivasa Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar


ARCHITECTURE
The whole temple was constructed as a Gajaprishta Vimanam from adhistanam to sigaram with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and open mukha mandapam (South side). The sanctum sanctorum with vimanam is of the Gajabrushta style. The sanctum sanctorum is on an adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veerakandam and vettu pothyal. The koshtas are of the sala style. A two-tala vimanam, greevam and sigaram are on the bhumi desam. Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma  are on the tala and greeva koshtams. A stucco image of Shiva in abhaya varada hastam is on the lalada nasi. 5 kalasas are on the sigaram.









HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the temple belongs to the 8th to 9th century Pallava period, and the Srinivasa Perumal Sannidhi was added during the Vijayanagara period. The temple maintains the Pallava-period brick structure.

Thirupani was started on 07th September 1988, and Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted after the thirupani.   

Dwajasthambam was gifted by M/s M Kothandarama Naidu, K Jyothikothandaraman, and K Dineshkumar. Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 11th July 2016.

It is said that Parvatha Hills Sivaguru Sri Mallikarjunar’s disciple Thiriloka Yoga Thandar Sivakarunandar Siddhar came to this temple and did Uzhavarapani and Thiruvilakku poojas.


The details of this Telugu inscription will be written

LEGENDS
It is believed that Kamadhenu and Valmiki Maharishi worshipped Shiva at this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Tamil New Year, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Adi Pooram, Gokulashtami, Krishnar Jayanti, Srinivasa Perumal Thirumanjanam and Unjal Seva in Puratasi, Karthigai Deepam, Thai month Thiruvilakku Pooja, Panguni Ramanavami, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH
The temple at Periyapalayam is about a km from the bus stand.
Buses are available from Chennai, Madhavaram, and Red Hills. The temple is about 17.6 km from Uthukottai, 21 km from Gummidipundi & Ponneri, 25 km from Red Hills, 33 km from Thiruvallur, and 40 km from Koyambedu.
The nearest railway stations are Gummidipundi and Ponneri.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE


 Nagathamman Sannidhi


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---