Sri Vanavakoteeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ பானுகோடீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Valayamadevi, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vanavakoteeswarar Temple at Valayamdevi, near Sethiathoppu, was part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples visit” in Cuddalore District on 13^th June 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Vanavakoteeswarar

Consort    : Sri Balambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with entrances on the south and east. A single-tier Rajagopuram is on the south side. Rishabam and balipeedam are on the east side of the temple. Vinayagar, Nalvar, Bairavar, Suryan, and Chandran are in the mandapam. Moolavar is big on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Ambal, Chandikeswarar, and Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate temple that faces east, on the left side of the main temple. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam. Gajalakshmi is in the Ambal temple’s ardha mandapam.

 Bairavar

Suryan

 Dakshinamurthy 

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar

Subramaniar

Chandran

Nalvar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple was reconstructed without following any temple architecture. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An eka tala vesara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Maha nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions. The greeva koshtas are empty. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the original temple is more than 1000 years old. The Bairavar and Suryan may belong to the 12^th to 13^th Century Chozha period.

It is said that the original name of Moolavar Sri Banukoteeswarar was changed to Vanavakoteeswarar due to an error made in the Government records.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 14^th July 2025 after thirupani. 50 % of the thirupani was contributed by Tharumai Adheenam, which includes the construction of the south-side one-tier Rajagopuram, installation of Pancha Murthy images, Maha mandapam, stucco images of Ardhanareeswarar and Rishabam on the main sanctum sanctorum, Ambal Temple, installation of a pillar at the east-side entrance, and Panchavarna paintings. Tharumai Adheenam’s stucco image is on the top of the south-side entrance to the ardha /maha mandapam.

Tharumai Adheenam's participation in the 2025 kumbhabhishekam

Tharumai Adheenam's stucco image on the top of the mandapam

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Surya worshipped Shiva at this temple. It is said that from April 1^st to 10^th, sunlight used to fall on Moolavar and Ambal.

Since the Ambal temple is on the left side of the Moolavar Temple, worshipping Shiva and Ambal will get rid of marriage obstacles, will get the child boon, etc. It is advised that the newly married couple worship Shiva and Ambal for a happy married life.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Kirithigai, Ashtami Deipirai, Kiruthigai, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ravi Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile number +919976560922 for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Valayamadevi, is on the Sethiyathoppu - Virudhachalam Main Road, about 5 km from Sethiyathoppu, 21 km from Virudhachalam and Vadalur, 26 km from Chidambaram, 50 km from Cuddalore, and 69 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Junction is Virudhachalam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Vedanarayana Perumal Temple/ ஸ்ரீ வேதநாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், Valayamadevi, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vedanarayana Perumal Temple at Valayamadevi, near Sethiathoppu, was part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples visit” in Cuddalore District on 13^th June 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Vedanarayana Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Kamalavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. A Garuda Thoon is on the east side of the temple. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam, and Garudan are immediately after the Rajagopuram. The Dwarapalakas Jayan and Vijayan, sculpted on a flat stone, are on either side of the ardha mandapam entrance. Moolavar is about 6 feet tall in a sitting posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsavars are in front of Moolavar. Alwars are in the ardha mandapam. 

Anjaneyar and Andal are in the maha mandapam. Andal is in a standing posture and faces south.

In the praharam, Kamavalli Thayar, Utsava mandapam, and madapalli. Thayar is in a separate temple that faces east on the south side of Moolavar. Thayar Kamalavalli is in a sitting posture with Abhaya Varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was constructed with bricks and cement concrete. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam with Jagathy, Kumudam, and Pattikai. The pillasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The vimanam over the bhumi desam consists of one tala, greevam, and a vesara sigaram. Maha nasis and alpa nasis are on the vesara sigaram. Maha Vishnu’s various forms with his consorts are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

The maha mandapam was built in the Vavval Nethi style, followed in the Thanjavur region.

Thayar Kamalavalli is in a separate temple that faces east with sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam. The vimanam consists of one tala, greevam, and vesara sigaram. Thayar's various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the 12^th to 13^th centuries, and Chozha period inscriptions are found on the door jambs. The inscription records the gift of land to this temple. The periphery limits are mentioned in the inscription. 

Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 20^th August 1882 with the Hereditary Trustee Thurinchikollai Valathariya Muruga Pillai’s own funds, then on 17th November 1955 by Picha Pillai’s son, T P Sundara Lingam, and again on 13^th July 2025. Tharumai Adheenam also contributed to the renovation of the temple (3-tier Rajagopuram repair works).

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Maha Lakshmi was born to Maharishi in this village as Kamalavalli. As promised, Sri Mushnam Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy came to this place and married Mahalakshmi and stayed here as Vedanarayana Perumal. Since Maha Vishnu taught 4 vedas to Maha Lakshmi, Maha Vishnu is called Vedanarayana Perumal.

For marriage, Maha Vishnu brought Bangles (Valayal) to Maha Lakshmi. Hence, this place was called Valayal + Maha + Devi = Valayalmahadevi, later the same was corrupted to Valayamadevi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on the annual Brahmotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, and all Vaishnava important festivals.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ramanuja Battar may be contacted on his mobile number +919600676777 for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Valayamadevi, is on the Sethiyathoppu - Virudhachalam Main Road, about 5 km from Sethiyathoppu, 21 km from Virudhachalam and Vadalur, 26 km from Chidambaram, 50 km from Cuddalore, and 69 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Junction is Virudhachalam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thayar Temple 

Thayar Temple 

Utsava mandapam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Dharmapureeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ தர்மபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Dharmanallur, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Dharmapureeswarar Temple, a Gajaprishta Vimana Temple at Dharmanallur, near Sethiathoppu, was a part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples visit” in Cuddalore District on 13^th June 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Dharmapureeswarar

Consort    : Sri Dharmambigai, Sri Dharmasamvardini, Tripurasundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east, with entrances to the west and north. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple under a meta colour sheet mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar and Durgai. Utsavars are in antarala. (Old Dakshinamurthy is kept as a loose sculpture in the praharam).

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Ambal Temple, Shiva Lingam with Rishabam, Old Dakshinamurthy as a loose sculpture, Maha Lakshmi, etc.

Ambal is in a separate temple that faces east, on the left side of the main temple. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam.  

 Chandikeswarar  - Old Dakshinamurthy

 Suryan - Bairavar

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was reconstructed during recent years without following the temple architecture. The total temple was reconstructed with brick and cement concrete. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. An eka tala Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum, but the sanctum sanctorum is square in shape. No stucco images are found in the Greeva Koshtams.

Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Ambal temples are constructed with stone, partially granite and partially with sandstone.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Based on the Chandikeswarar, Bairavar and Suryan iconography, the temple may belong to the 12^th to 13^th century CE.

The ardha mandapam was constructed during the Nayakas' period. A donor’s bas-relief is found on one of the pillars.

The temple was under palalayam during my visit and was scheduled to conduct Maha Kumbhabhishekam on 24^th June 2026. Tharumai Adheenam also contributed to the renovation and Maha Kumbhabhishekam.

Donor of the ardha mandapam

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Dharmar, one of the Pancha Pandavas, did yagna at this place. During the Yagna, the rain started. Dharmar made it rain around this village and finally in this village after the completion of the Yagna. This happens even these days: this village gets rain after the surrounding villages get rain. Hence, Shiva is called Dharmapureeswarar, and the place is called Dharmanallur.

Maha Periyava stayed at this place for 48 days and worshipped Sri Dharmapureeswarar. Vallalar also did kaingaryam and annadhanam at this place.

It is believed that Sundarar, one of the Nayanmars, passed through this Village during his pilgrimage.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Kirithigai, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The priest S Ramaswamy may be contacted on his mobile number +918012014002 for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Dharmanallur, is about a km away from Sethiathoppu and Virudhachalam Main Road, about 6 km from Sethiathoppu, 19.6 km from Virudhachalam and Vadalur, 28 km from Chidambaram, 51 km from Cuddalore, and 70 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Junction is Virudhachalam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Ambal Temple

Ambal Temple

Ambal Temple - Rishabam and balipeedam

  Vinayagar Sannidhi

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar sannidhi

Before renovation - PC - Kadambur Vijay

Before renovation - PC - Kadambur Vijay

Renovation - before kumbhabhishekam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---