Thaduthaaleeswarar Sivan Temple / ஸ்ரீதடுத்தாலீஸ்வரர் சிவன் கோயில், Thandalam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thaduthaaleeswarar Temple at Thandalam was part of “Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit, in Tiruvallur District” on 12^th April 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Thaduthaaleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the south side. Nagars with Vinayagar under a peepal tree and Navagrahas are after the main entrance. A stucco image of Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar is on the top of the entrance to the temple. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the entrance to the temple. Vinayagar and Murugan sannidhis are at the entrance of the temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is Swayambhu, Theenda Thirumeni, a little short of a round avudaiyar. A balipeedam and a small Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. In the koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

Another Swayambhu Shiva Lingam called Theenda Thirumeneeswarar, on a square avudaiyar, is in a separate Sannidhi. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the shrine. Vinayagar and Murugan are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. This sannidhi is believed to be the jeeva samadhi of a Siddhar.  

In praharam, Nalvar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Suryan, Chandran, Nagars,  Bairavar (Bairavar looking up), and Chandikeswarar.

Ambal Sri Kamakshi is in a separate Sannidhi. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. A mangalyam is on the chest of Sri Kamakshi.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was built with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The adhistanam does not conform to any temple architecture. A brick two-tala, greevam, and a vesara sigaram are on the prastaram desam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Even though the temple authorities claim that this is a 1000 – 1500-year-old temple, no evidence has been found. Only 18^th to 19th-century inscriptions are found. The present structure may be 300 - 400 years old.

Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted recently.

LEGENDS

Since a mangalayam is on the chest of Sri Kamakshi, devotees worship Ambal to get rid of Mangalya dosha and marriage obstacles.

According to the legend, Sri Valli wants to marry Murugan and does penance for him. Since Murugan didn’t come, she thought of ending her life by jumping into the fire. Shiva stopped her, and marriage was conducted to Murugan with Sri Valli. Since Shiva stopped Valli from ending her life, Shiva is called Thaduthaleeswarar.

As per the hearsay, a Siddhar attained Jeeva Samadhi at this place, and a Shiva Lingam was installed on the Jeeva Samadhi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, Pournami, Amavasya, Kiruthikai, etc. Since Moolavar is Theenda Thirumeni, the priests do not touch the Shiva Lingam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 09.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The temple priest Kumar may be contacted on his mobile +919894657112 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Thandalam is on the Kilanur Highway Junction to Tiruvur – Keelanur Road.

The temple is about 5 km from Kilanur Highway Junction, 4 km from Sirukadal, and 12.8 km from Tiruvallur Railway Station.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Velleeswarar Temple/ Shiva Vishnu Temple/ சிவா விஷ்ணு கோவில், வெள்ளியூர்/ Velliyur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Velleeswarar Temple at Velliyur was part of “Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit, in Tiruvallur District” on 12^th April 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Velleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Vedanayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance from the south. The 3-tier Rajagopuram is on 4 pillars abutting the open mukha mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. Utsavars are in the antarala. In koshtam, Vinayagar. Dakshinamurthy with his consort, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Selva Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sri Vedanayagi, Maha Lakshmi, Sri Sita, Rama, Lakshmana, and Anjaneyar, Sudarsana Chakra with Narasimhar on the back, Sri Venkatesa Perumal Temple (In koshtam Lakshmi Hayagreevar, Lakshmi Narasimhar, and Lakshmi Varahar), Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Gayathri, Saraswati, Garudan, Veerabhadra, and Anjaneyar.

Ambal is in a separate temple that faces east. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Dakshinamurthy with his consort

Dakshinamurthy with his consort

Brahma in a sitting posture

Durga - Gayathri

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was constructed with cement concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala / ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The temple was constructed in a Gajaprishta Vimanam style from adhistanam to sigaram. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam with Jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts from pattikai without vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The vimanam above the prastaram consists of an upari tala, greevam, and sigaram. Stucco images of siddhars are in the upari talam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that the Shiva Lingam was worshipped without any formal structure, along with a Siddhar’s Jeeva Samadhi. It was said that a Shiva Temple had existed in the same place since the Pallava period, ie, 8^th to 9^th century. So the new temple was constructed in Gajaprishta Vimana style, and Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 05^th July 2017.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Shiva of this temple was worshipped by a Mouna Siddhar, whose identity details are not known. His Jeeva Samadhi is in front of the temple.

As per hearsay, there is a Cobra snake inside the sanctum sanctorum. Devotees believe that siddhars worship Shiva in the form of a snake. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, and all important functions.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs. 

CONTACT DETAILS

Gurukkal Manikandan may be contacted on his mobile number +917502660488 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Velliyur is on the Tamaraipakkam to Tiruvallur Main Road, 2 km from Tamaraipakkam, 20 km from Tiruvallur, and 22 km from Redhills.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Sri Venkatesa Perumal Temple 

Sri Venkatesa Perumal  

Navagrahas

Mouna Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi is in front of the temple. A Shiva Lingam is installed on the Jeeva Samadhi.

Mouna Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Anbil Mariamman Temple/ அருள்மிகு அன்பில் மாரியம்மன் கோவில், Keelanbil, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Anbil Mariamman Temple at Anbil, Tiruchirappalli District was part of “Shiva, Vishnu and Buddhist Temples Visit in Puducherry, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli Districts”, from 8^th to 10^th April 2026.

Moolavar: Sri Mariamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a Trishul, Simha vahanam, and balipeedam. The stucco image of Amman is on the top of the mukha mandapam. The Goddess Mariamman is in a sitting posture with ashtabhujas, holding various weapons.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam and the maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape. A salakara vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum vimanam was constructed in stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The brick salakara one-tier vimanam, greevam, and sigaram are above the bhumidesam.

The mukha mandapam was constructed with cement concrete in recent years.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Anbil Maha Mariamman temple may be from the later Chozha period, about 700 years old. Originally, the Goddess Amman was under a neem tree, and later the temple was constructed. The front mandapam was built in recent years.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in February 2020. 

LEGENDS

As per the legends, when there was a flood in the Kollidam, the Goddess Mariamman saved the village of Anbil from the flood. Hence, people worship Mariamman as the Kaval Theivam of this village.

It is believed that the Goddess Mariamman will cure chicken pox. So devotees used to stay in the temple itself along with the child affected by the chicken pox.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Fridays, Sundays, Amavasya days, Pournami days, Tamil New Year days, Adi Month Fridays, Vaikasi, Ani, Panguni auspicious days, etc.

Devotees pray to Goddess Mariamman for a child boon and get a cure for chicken pox, etc.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is about 8 km from Lalgudi, 34 km from Tiruchirappalli, 41 km from Thanjavur, and 67 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Station is Lalgudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thiru Vadivazhagiya Nambi (Sundararaja) Perumal Temple, திரு வடிவழகியநம்பி (சுந்தரராஜ) பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில், திருஅன்பில்/ Thiru Anbil, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple at Thiru Anbil, in Tiruchirappalli District, was part of “Shiva, Vishnu and Buddhist Temples Visit in Puducherry, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli Districts”, from 8^th to 10^th April 2026.

The temple is on the northern banks of the Kollidam River, one of the 108 Divya Desam and the 4^th Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumizhisai Alwar and Nammalwar.

2417

நாகத் தணைக்குடந்தை வெஃகா திருவெவ்வுள்,

நாகத் தணையரங்கம் பேரன்பில், - நாகத்

தணைப்பாற் கடல்கிடக்கு மாதி நெடுமால்,

அணைப்பார் கருத்தனா வான். 36

…. திருமிழிசை ஆழ்வார், நான்முகன் திருவந்தாதி

2579

உலகுபடைத் துண்ட எந்தை, அறைகழல்

சுடர்ப்பூந் தாமரை சூடுதற்கு, அவாவா

ருயிருகி யுக்க, நேரிய காதல்

அன்பி லின்பீன் தேறல், அமுத

வெள்ளத் தானாம் சிறப்புவிட்டு, ஒருபொருட்கு

அசைவோர் அசைக, திருவொடு மருவிய

இயற்கை, மாயாப் பெருவித லுலகம்

மூன்றி னொடுநல்வீடு பெறினும்,

கொள்வதெண்ணுமோ தெள்ளியோர் குறிப்பே?

…. நம்மாழ்வார் அருளிசெய்த திருவாசிரியம்

3443

கூறாய் நீறாய் நிலனாகிக்

கொடுவல் லசுரர் குலமெல்லாம்

சீறா எறியும் திருநேமி

வலவா. தெய்வக் கோமானே,

சேறார் சுனைத்தா மரைசெந்தீ

மலரும் திருவேங் கடத்தானே,

ஆறா அன்பில் அடியேனுன்

அடிசேர் வண்ணம் அருளாயே. 6.10.2

… நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி

Moolavar  : Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal

Utsavar    : Sri Sundaraja Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Sundaravalli

Utsavar    : Sri Azhagiya Valli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. A balipeedam and temple chariot are in front of the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, dwajasthamam, and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. A stucco image of Maha Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi is on the top of the east wall. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Sundararaja Perumal is in a reclining posture, keeping his head on the south on Adiseshan; Sridevi and Bhudevi are at his feet. Brahma is from the naval of Maha Vishnu. Alwars and Andal are in the Maha mandapam.

Sri Sundaravalli Thayar is in a separate temple on the south side of the main temple, which faces east. Thayar is in a sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In the praharam, Senai Mudalvar, Thayar temple, Madappali, and Nandavanam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape to accommodate Maha Vishnu’s reclining posture. The adhistanam consists of jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai, and taranga pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The salakara vimanam above bhumi desam is with one tala, greevam, and sigaram. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s various incarnations are on the tala and greeva koshtas. The vimanam is called “Tharaka Vimanam”.

It seems that Thayar sannidhi is found without much damage.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple was constructed by Sundara Chozha, and later received contributions from Vijayanagaras and Nayakas.

Chozha period fragment inscriptions are found on the wall. As per the inscription, this place was under Naduvil Kootram. The inscription records an endowment on Wednesday. Also, it mentions the names of Perumal Veera Pandyan, Perumal Azhagiya… 

The inscriptions on the Jagathy and Kumudam are not legible to read and are damaged.

The Koparakesari Barmar’s 5^th reign year, an incomplete and damaged inscription on the north of this temple records the endowment of naivedyam and creation of nandavanam, and for the same, the Paddy and land were gifted to this temple. The quantity of paddy for one sandhi and the periphery limits of the lands are given.

Kovirajakesari Varmar, Kulothunga Chozha’s incomplete and damaged inscription, on the west wall of the sanctum sanctorum, starts with his meikeerthi. The inscription records the celebration of 9 days Panguni Tiruvonam and the names of the 9-day sponsors. The lands are gifted by the Sabha, and the periphery limits are also given. In this, Maha Vishnu is mentioned as Jalasayana Pallikondalwar.

Two inscriptions are in the form of poems. They praise Perumal of this temple.

The Thirubhavana Chakravarthikal Madurai Kondaruliya Kulothunga Chozha’s 20^th reign year inscription; only the starting year is recorded.

Another inscription of Kulothunga Chozha’s 44^th reign year starts with “Sungam Thavirtharuliya…”. This inscription records the Appam Naivedyam on Amavasya day, by Koyilar Pudukudi Narayanan Kula Manicka…. For the same, a land was gifted after purchase.

The Vijayanagara King Mahamandaleswara Hariraya Vipadan, Pashaikku Thappuvaraya Kandan Muvaraya Kandan Kanda Nadu kondu Koda nadu kodathaan Devaraya Maharayar-II, inscription starts with his meikeerthi, records the gift of 3 villages to this temple.

Another Vijayanagara period Grantha inscription records the gift of a village as thiruvidaiyattam to this temple.     

Ref:

South Indian Inscriptions Volume – VIII.

The 1910 -1913 year inscription on a tablet records that, when the mandapam and prahara sannidhis are in dilapidated condition, the same was rectified through the funds received from Srirangam Devasthanam and the fund of Jayaram Pillai, Postal Inspector, Venkatachalam Pillai, Madurakavi Dasar, and Nandavanam Executor Venkatachala Dasar. The renovations were carried out by Tiruchirappalli Rajagopala Naidu, and the maha samprokshanam was conducted.

 

LEGENDS

Brahma, the creator of this universe, thinks that he is the only beautiful person that he has created in this world, and behaves with ego. Since he didn’t hear the advice of Maha Vishnu, cursed to be born as a normal person on Earth. To get rid of the curse, he went to many Maha Vishnu temples and prayed. When Brahma came to this place and happened to interact with a beautiful person many times. Finally, Brahma realised that the beautiful person was none other than Maha Vishnu and begged his pardon. Satisfied with Brahma’s prayer, Maha Vishnu gave his Vishvaroopa darshan and relieved him from the curse.   

The Mandooga Maharishi was cursed by the angry Sage Durvasa. To get rid of the curse, Mandooga Maharishi came to this place, created a pushkarani, and worshipped Maha Vishnu after taking a bath. Maha Vishnu relieved Mandooga Maharishi from Durvasa’s curse. Hence, the Pushkarani is called Mandooga Theertham.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi and Navaratri.

The annual Therthavari festival will be celebrated in the month of Masi pournami.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number +919003469591 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is about 8 km from Lalgudi, 34 km from Tiruchirappalli, 41 km from Thanjavur, and 67 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Station is Lalgudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Temple Chariot 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---