Periyavapuram/ பெரியவாபுரம், Sri Naga Bala Thiripura Sundari Temple, Periyavapuram Nelvoypalayam, Chengalpatttu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Periyavapuram, at Nelvoypalayam, was part of “Shiva Temples and Kotravai/ Durgai Temples Visit” in Chengalpattu District on 3^rd May 2026. Thanks to Mr Subramanian Viswanathan, a retired official from MAPS, DAE and Mr Subramanian of DAE, Kalpakkam, for taking me to these temples.

Periyapuram: Maha Periyava Manimandapam, Vedavyasar Gurupeedam and Sri Naga Bala Thiripura Sundari /Bala Nagathamman Temple

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a Maha Periyava manimandapam. Dwarapalakis, Bala Ganapathy, and Bala Murugan are on either side of the ardha mandapam. Maha Periyava and Bala Thiripura Sundari are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, a stucco image of Ambal is in a sitting posture, similar to Samayapuram. A head-size Ambal in stone is in the sanctum sanctorum. Sri Chakram and Meru are in front of the stone Ambal. (All the vigrahas have travelled about 1.5 lakhs km, in a span of 6.5 years).

In Periyava Manimandapam, Bala Thiripura Sundari is in a sitting posture like a Queen with Abhaya Varada hastam. Below her are the images of Adi Sankarar and Maha Periyava. A Maha Periyava’s stone idol is also in the Manimandapam with a metal idol of Rishabam. Abhishekam aradhana is performed only to a stone idol. Kalpathi Saiddhar’s Jeeva samadhi with pada is in front of the Manimandapam.

In the Mukha Mandapam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (brought from Mumbai, which couldn’t be installed in Mumbai), Ayyappan, and Ramanujar with Raghavendra.

In the praharam, a 50-year-old Kasi Vishwanathar, Komata adhistanam with Komata with her calf statue. (Maha Periyava’s image and Kamakshi are on both sides of the Komata. Vallaba Ganapathi, Siddhi Ganapathy, and Nagars with Ambal are also on the platform. Garudan, Anjaneyar, Kuberan in the Kubera direction, Rahu and Ketu, 18 am padi Karuppa Swamy, and Ko sala.

In Vedavyasar Gurupeedam, measuring 10 ft. x 10 ft. (originally planned for Ambal sannidhi). Raghavendra and Shirdi Saibaba’s images are at the entrance of Guru Peedam. Inside the Guru Peedam, the moolavar is Saibaba.  The vimanam is in the form of Maha Meru. 11 Gurumars’ images are in the 1^st level. Ashta Lakshmis and Nalvars are in the 2^nd level. Thayar & Thirumal avatras are in the 3^rd level. Dasavar is on the 4^th level. Bala Thiripura Sundari is at the top. Kirubananda Variyar, Ramanar, and Vallalar are also on the Meru vimanam.  27 Nakshatras, 12 Rasis, 9 Grahas/ planets, Mummoortis, Garudan, Anjaneyar and Bairavar are on golden plates in the form of a “pa” shape. Sri – La - Sri Ponmudi Kodi Swamigal (who hailed from North India), Ayodhi Ramar, Pancha Mukha Anjaneyar, and Karai Siddhar are also around the sanctum sanctorum.  

Sri – La - Sri Ponmudi Kodi Swamigal

ARCHITECTURE OF BALA NAGATHAMMAN TEMPLE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The whole temple was constructed with bricks and concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and a pada abndha adhistanam with Jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with pattikai, and the pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam, with nasikudus. The vimanam over the prastaram is with two talas, greevam and vesara sigaram. Stucco images of Ambal’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY

The Periyavapuram spreads over 10 grounds of land, a part of Nelvoy Palayam village in Chengalpattu. This was founded by Mr Thanamkodi Radhakrishnan, who worked with CBI and retired in June 2020, an ardent devotee of Maha Periyava. The Periyavapuram consists of Sri Kalpathi Siddhar Madam, Jeeva Samadhi: Pithrus sthalam, Sri Maha Periyava Manimandapam, and Sri Vedavyasar Guru’s peedam.

Mr Radhakrishnan bought a 10-acre plot of land and laid the foundation stone in 2018, starting the construction of a temple with Maha Periyava Mani Mandapam. Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 04^th May, 2023.

In 2021, towards the end of the Tamil month Aadi, Kodi Thatha informed his divine wish of settling at the temple, constructed by Mr Radhakrishnan, specifically on August 22, 2021 (Avani Avittam), along with Shirdi Sai Baba in the upcoming temple at Periyavapuram.

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar was brought from Mumbai, where it couldn’t be installed. 

Jeeva Samadhis of Muthappan & Thiruvappan Jeeva Samadhi. The Kerala Kannur district is also in this place. The Vigrahas are worshipped with abhishekam and aradhana.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Abhishekam and aradhana are performed to Maha Periyava, the stone vigraha kept in the Mani Mandapam, especially on Anusham nakshatra day. During worship at the sanctum sanctorum, a lot of rituals are carried out for the devotees, like placing peacock feathers, Periya Sat Manapalaka, Periya paduka, Black Karungali with Balathiripurasundari & snake hood and white Karungali thandas. It is believed that the devotees will be relieved from the bad karma of their ancestors.

  

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are done on Anusham nakshatra day, and pradosham is also conducted.

Special poojas are done for childless couples for a child boon to “Alilai Krishnan”. In continuation, the Rishabam in front of Periyava will be turned to the opposite direction when a phone call is received before taking labour ward. It is said that most of the cases will be natural delivery, and the Rishabam will be turned back after delivery of the child.

The Ayyappa devotees perform poojas before going to Sabari Mala.

Upanayanam and marriages are also conducted in front of Maha Periyava Manimandapam.

PERIYAVAPURAM TIMINGS

Periyapuram will be kept open for darshan from 07.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Thanamkodi Radhakrishnan may be contacted on his mobile numbers +919444959379 and +9176289379 for further details.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Periyavapuram-100091630583152/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@periyavapuram

HOW TO REACH

Periyavapuram is 8 km from Koovathur, on ECR Road after Kalpakkam, 13 km from Cheyyur, 19.5 km from Kalpakkam, 24 km from Madurantakam, and 32 km from Madurantakam.

The nearest Railway Station is Madurantakam.

LOCATION OF THE PERIYAPURAM: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Velleeshwaran Temple, Meyyur, Sathurangapattinam/ Sadaras, Kalpakkam Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Velleeshwaran Temple at Meyyur, Sathurangapattinam, also known as Sadras, was part of the visit to Shiva Temples and Kaotravai/ Durgai in Chengalpattu District on 3^rd May 2026. Thanks to Mr Subramaniya Viswanathan, a retired professional of MAPS and DAE and Mr Subramanian of DAE, Kalpakkam, for taking me to these temples.

Temple's view with a Siddhar's Jeeva Samadhi

மெய்யூர் திருப்பதிகம்

மன்றிலாடும் மாமணி வட்ட வான்நிலா பிறை சூடுவான் 
இன்று நாளை எதிர்ப்படும் பெரு இன்னல் நீக்கிட ஏகுவான்!
குன்றுமேலிய கூத்தனே விடை கொம்பிலாடிய கருணையே
என்றும் நாடுவதுன்னருள் எழில் கூடிய வெள்ளியீசனே!

மண்சுமந்து மகிழ்ந்தருள் இடுகாட்டுடை இருள் பித்தனே
புண் கணீர் பூசி சிக்கினேன் புறமிட்டெனை புகப்பாய்ந்திடு
தண்வயல் கதிர் தோய்ந்திடும் தலமாகிடும் மெய்யூரிலே
விண்ணோர் வேண்டிட வீற்றணை இந்த வீடனை அடையாளங்கொள் !

அணு பிளந்தொரு ஆற்றல் ஊற்றினை ஏற்றிடும் மெய்யூர் சேற்றிலே
முணுப்பதோர் மொழி மூலமே முனிபுங்கவர் ஏத்தும் கோலமே !
கணு விழுந்தது காய்த்து வீடேறும் காலப்பொய்யிலே கட்டுண்டேன்
சிணுங்கிடாதென்னை ஆட்கொளேன் சுடர் மேவிய சிகாமணி!

பற்று வைத்தவர் உற்றமே பசுபாசம் புகட்டிய கொற்றமே
சொற்றுணை செம்பொட்சோதியே சதுரை கூடிய வெள்ளியீசனே
கற்றுணர்ந்தவர் மிக்க கூட்டி கடலணை மெய்யூர் வீட்டிலே
முற்றுரைத்திட தேடினேன் இந்த மூடனை அடையாளங்கொள்!

எறும்புக்கேகிய ஏந்தலே கழுக்குன்றம் ஏறிய எளியனே!
குறும்பொடு விளையாடல் கூட்டிய சுயம்பு மாமணி ஜோதியே
புறமெரித்த புலவனே வேதம் புனைந்திணைந்த மெய்யூரனே
சிறுமை விட்டென்னை மீட்டிடேன் சிரசிலே கங்கை சேர்த்த சுயம்புவே!

கலங்கியோர் குறை தீர்க்கவே கடல் மெய்யூர் காட்டிய காதலே
விலங்கினேன் வினை விலக்கிடேன் விடயின்பமே வீடு என்றுளேன்
மலங்கியே வழி மாறிடாவண்ணம் ஆட்கொள்வாய் வெள்ளியீசளே
புலன்களால் எதிர் புண்செயும் புத்திபோக்கிடு சித்தி கூட்டிடு!

விடமுண்டான் விடையேறுவான் அன்னம் பாலிக்கும் தில்லைக் கூத்தனே
மடமையேன் மதி சேரவே மல்லை எல்லையில் நின்ற வெல்லமே
உடனுறை வேதமானவள் குறும்புணர் நகை கூடவே
நடங்கொளும் நடராஜனே நாடியே எனை அடையாளங்கொள்!

அகங்கனத்து அரிவையர் நாடி அரசு அடியினை சுற்றவே,
மகவு வரம் தரும் இராகு கேது மணவாழ்வு தடை நீக்கும் முற்றிலே
யுகம் பல கடந்து துல்லியமாய் தசாபுத்தி கொடுவினை தொலைக்கவே
அர்த்த விதானத்து உன்னையே உயிர்நாடிட அவை இளைக்கவே!

கமண்டல மிருத்தி கைகொண்ட சித்தரின் காதலை விரும்பிய அருளனே,

சுமையிற்புண்பட்ட நெஞ்சோடு சுகந்தம் நிறைந்திட நின்னையே நிரவிடு!

யமனுக்கும் கோளுக்கும் யட்சகுணத்திற்கும் ஆட்பட்டு அகதியாய் தவிக்கிறேன்!

இமயமிருக்கிற இன்பமே இந்த இலக்கிலியை அடையாளங் கொள்!

அன்பு இருளுற்று பண்பது பாழ்பட்டு அலையும் துரித உலகிலே

அன்பே சிவம் என பிதற்றினேன் அணைந்த மெய்யூர் கரை வீட்டிலே
அன்னையும் நீயுமாய் அமர்ந்து பொன்னூசல் ஏகி அகிலம் உய்ந்திட கூடவே
தென்னவனே உனை தேடி நின்றேன் எனை தேற்றி தேற்றி அடையாளங் கொள்!

……. இறையடியார் சுப்ரமணிய விசுவநாதன்

Moolavar  : Sri Velleeshwaran, Sri Bhargaveeswarar
Consort    : Sri Vedhambikai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance mandapam on the south. Stucco images of Shiva & Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar are on the top of the mandapam. Balipeedam, Rishabam and dwajasthambam are on the east side in front of the temple. Moolavar is swayambu and is irregular in shape on a square avudaiyar (Avudayar is with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattikai similar to adhitanam of sanctum sanctorum). In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Utsavars and Natarajar with Sivakami are in the ardha mandapam.

Nalvar, Sukra Munivar, Kamandala Munivar, and Bairavar are in the maha mandapam.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Kailasanathar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Anjaneyar, Navagrahas, Nagars, Rahu and Ketu, Suryan and a loose sculpture of an Ambal / Sri Valli.

Ambal Sri Vedhambikai is in a separate sannithi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya varadha hastam.  

Suryan

Maha Vishnu

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar

Anjaneyar - above is Maha Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi

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 on a pada bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmnakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, a plain mandi, palakai, veera kandam and vettu pothyal.

The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus petals, kapotam with nasikudus (Bhuta ganas reliefs are in the nasikudus), Chandra mandalam, and Vyyalavari. The makara thundam are shown on the corners with a warrior coming out of yazhi’s mouth. The vimanam over the bhumidesam was constructed with brick. The vimanam is of 2 talas, greevam and a Vesara sigaram. Maha nasis are in all eight directions of the sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

The makara thundam are shown on the corners with a warrior coming out of yazhi’s mouth. And the Chandra mandalam

The mukha mandapam pillars feature various bas-reliefs, such as Siddhars, Munivar, Bhuta ganas, Vijayanagar’s iconic reliefs of Herder, flower motifs, etc.

Kamandala Siddhar (in front of Siddhar's Jeeva Samadhi)

பலாபழ சித்தர் (It is said that the jackfruit smell was observed near this pillar)

Vijayanagar’s iconic reliefs of Herder

The Ambal temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and palliyarai. The sanctum sanctorum is on pada bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, a plain mandi, palakai, veera kandam and vettu pothyal. The vimanam over the prastaram was constructed along with eka tala salakara vimanam.

The Suryan Sannidhi was built with eka tala vimanam in vesara style from Adhistanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There is no inscriptional evidence found in this temple to prove its antiquity. But the experts believe that the structure and iconography of the sculptures, the main temple, may belong to Kulothunga III, i.e., (1178 - 1218 CE), the 12th to 13th century Chozha period. Later, the mukha mandapam was added during the Nayakas' period.

 

Recently, in the 20th century, in 1979, Kumbhabhisegam was performed under the leadership of Shri Dakshinamurthy Chettiar.

Subsequently, due to unknown reasons, over a period of approximately 25 years, the poojas were abandoned, and the praharam was completely covered with shrubs and weeds. Navagraha Sannidhi was also damaged by miscreants. With the effort of Mr S.Viswanathan, an Employee of MAPS, Kalpakkam, DAE, from the year 2003, a lot of improvement works have been carried out, which include the replacement of Navagrahas, Dwajasthambam, Anjaneyar Sannidhi, construction of palliyarai, and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted. Efforts are on to retrieve the temple tank from encroachment and revert it for use.

   

Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 30^th March 1979, and on 26^th Feb 2007. After Thirupani to Parivara deities and maintenance with the support of Gammon India Limited, and recently on 24^th November 2021, after a gap of 12 years

The personnel from Madras Atomic Power Station, IGCAR, BARC, BHAVINI played the main role in conducting the thirupani and Maha Kumbhabhishekam. Mr S.Viswanathan and his team are very helpful in conducting regular poojas.   

An unknown 20th-century inscription with a woman's face petroglyphs

LEGENDS

It is believed that the Kailasanathar temple on the back side of the main temple may be a siddhar jeeva Samadhi. Lord Shiva of this temple was worshipped by Kamandala Siddhar, Vedavyasar, and many siddhars. To prove this, the mukha mandapa pillars have the bas relief of many Siddhars and on the back side wall of the sanctum sanctorum. It was a surprise to hear that occasionally, a snake would visit the sanctum sanctorum to worship Shiva, and it would leave the temple without harming anybody.

 

 

Since Nagar is found with a human body and a snake hood (Eka sariri), this is a Rahu and Kethu parihara sthalam. Devotees worship Rahu and Ketu to get rid of marriage obstacles and Rahu and Ketu dosha. Also worship for child boon. On Sundays, during Rahukalam, special poojas are conducted to Rahu and Ketu.

(Eka sariri)

The ceiling of the mandapam and antarala, bas-reliefs of a lizard, similar to Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple, and snakes with Chandra and Surya, signify the Lunar and Solar Eclipse.

Lizard

Lizard

It is said that Shiva is an amsam of Sukra. Devotees worship to excel in their studies, to win court cases, to get a sharpness of mind and to increase their memory power.

Sukra Munivar and Kamandala Munivar

Since this is an Ayilya Nakshatra temple, worshipping the Shiva of this temple, marriages will be settled soon.

Since the moolavar is Swayambhu, it is auspicious to circumambulate the prahara / girivalam on pournami days, and the prayers are answered.

On all Friday evening hours, special palliyarai poojas are offered, along with the recitation of Therava Thirumurai. In that, Shiva and Parvati bless the devotees sitting on the swing / Ponoosal. Devotees are allowed to make the swing the ponnoosal with their own hands. During that time, the horoscopes of the unmarried Girls/Boys will be kept on the ponnoosal, and it is believed that they will get married soon.

Special poojas are conducted to Bairavar on Sundays and Ashtami days. Worshipping on that day will flourish in business, education and employment.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Kiruthigai, Ashtami, Thaipoosam, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Chaturthi, Amavasya, Pournami, the 1^st day of the Tamil month, Sashti, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers of Sabesa Gurukkal, +919597778975, and his son, Eswara Prasad, +917200179835, may be contacted for Poojas and paraiharams.

The temple comes under HRCE as non-listed and is managed by an appointed trustee, Shri S.M. Duraisamy Chettiar, who is serving as the appointed trustee.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Meyyur, a part of Kalpakkam. The temple is 400 meters from Edaiyur – Kalpakkam roundana, 1.3 km from Malai Mandala Perumal Temple, at Sadras, 1.4 km from Sri Thiruvarseshwarar Temple, at Sadras, 14.4 km from Thirukalukundram and 29 km from Chengalpattu.

The nearest Railway Station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Loose sculpture of Ambal

Loose sculpture of Ambal

Nalvar

Square avudaiyar details

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---