Sri Alliamman Temple/ ஸ்ரீ அல்லியம்மன் கோயில், at Allikuzhi, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Alliamman Temple at Allikuzhi was a part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit at Uthukottai and Allikuzhi, on 2^nd August 2026. The temple is in the midst of the Allikuzhi range of hills, where the ancient Stone Age people lived.

Moolavar: Sri Alliamman

Some of the special features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a trishul, balipeedam and Simham. Vinayagar is on the left side of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum, Sri Alliamman is in a sitting posture and holds a knife and a bowl. An image of Amman’s head size is at the feet of Amman.   

In the praharam, Saptamatrikas are in the form of brick-size stones and Nagars.

Two sets of Nagars are under the tree on the outside of the temple.

Saptamatrikas

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape. An eka tala salakara vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum.

 Vijayanagaras's favourite image of Herder

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may be 400 to 500 years old and later received contributions from Vijayanagaras and Nayaka rulers. The temple was reconstructed, retaining the Vijayanagara period mandapam.

Based on the iconography of the mukha mandapam pillars and the bas-reliefs, the mandapam belongs to the Vijayanagara period.

Originally, the temple may have been dedicated to Saptamatrikas and later converted to Alliamman  

LEGENDS

It is believed that Alliamman is a Grama Devata and kula deivam of Allikuzhi villagers and protects them from animals of the forest and diseases. Also

The villagers worship Alliamman for a child boon and to remove marriage obstacles.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Oru Kala poojas, special poojas are conducted in Adi month, and an annual festival will be conducted in the month of August/ Adi Month. Devotees offer Sarkarai Pongal to Amman.

Adi Thiruvizha

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru Kala Pooja is conducted, the opening and closing of the temple are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Poojari may be contacted on the mobile number +918939518804 for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Allikuzhi is about one km from the village, in the midst of the forest/ Sambangi flower fields, 13.5 km from Tiruvallur – Uthukkottai main road, 20.5 km from Uthukkottai, 31 km from Tiruvallur, and 34 km from Tiruttani.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Poojari Mannachi preparing for the pooja

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Pitchaliswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ பிச்சாலிஸ்வரர் கோயில், Pondavakkam/ போந்தவாக்கம், Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Pitchaliswarar Temple at Pondavakkam was a part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit at Uthukottai and Allikuzhi, on 2^nd August 2026. The temple is on the banks of the Arani River and Telugu Ganga Channel.

Moolavar  : Sri Pichaleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Kamakshiamman, Sri Maragathambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance from the south side. Dwajasthambam, balipedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. A Bairavar is in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar/ In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Iyyappan, Sri Murugan/Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, and Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate Sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya varda hastam.

Suryan and Murugan

 Bairavar and Chandikeswarar

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was constructed with Laterite stones and bricks. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape on a simple adhistanam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an 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. The vimanam over the bhumi desam is with one tala, greevam and Dravida Sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtas.  

Renovation of the vimana

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that the original temple was constructed during the Pallava period, and later reconstructed and received contributions from Chozhas, Vijayanagaras, Nayakas, etc. But no evidence was found to prove its antiquity. Considering the 18th-century inscriptions on the pillars, the temple may belong to 17 to 18^th century.

பொயு 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில் மண்டப முதல் தூணில் உள்ள சிதைந்த கல்வெட்டு கச்சியூர் நாட்டு வெண்குன்றத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஒருவன் போந்தவாக்கம் கோயிலுக்கு இந்த தூண் தந்தான் போலும். வெண்குன்றம் என்று ஊர் வந்தவாசி அருகே இன்றும் இதே பெயரில் உள்ளது. வெண்குன்றம் ஒரு கோட்டமாகவும் இருந்துள்ளது.

The 18th-century inscription on the first pillar in the mandapa states that the pillar was gifted by a Venkunram resident.

பொயு 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில் மண்டப தூணில் உள்ள சிதைந்த கல்வெட்டு கச்சி மற்றும் வேண்டான்பள்ளி என்ற சொற்கள் உள்ளன. திருப்பணிக்கு உதவியவர் விவரம் எனலாம்.

The 18th-century inscription on the mandapam pillar states that the pillar was constructed by Vendānpalli of Kachchiyür.

பொயு 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில் மண்டப மூன்றாவது தூணில் உள்ள சிதைந்த கல்வெட்டு குணமேவன் என்ற பெயரும் வேளான் என்ற சொல்லும் உள்ளது. வேளான் - குயவர் ஆவான்.

The 18th-century inscription on the mandapam 3rd pillar states that the pillar was gifted by Vēlan of Kachchiyūr-Nādu, Aludaiparappi Gunamevan.

Reference

தமிழ்நாட்டுக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - XXX

(திருவள்ளூர் மவட்டக்கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - II) 

The front ardha mandapam was constructed in the 18th-century Nayaka period.

The temple was in a dilapidated condition; trees had grown on the vimanam, and it was taken for major renovations. Some of the old structures were pulled down, and the new structure is about to be completed.

LEGENDS

Devotees worship Shiva of this temple to remove marriage obstacles and Child boon.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Since the temple is in palalayam, oru kala poojas are conducted; no special poojas are conducted. Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri were performed before renovations were undertaken.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Usually, the temple is open from 09.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs for orukala poojas.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the south side of Arani River, 1.2 km from Tiruvallur to Uthukottai Road, 4 km from Uthukottai, and 25 km from Tiruvallur.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Iyyappan Sannidhi

Murugan Sannidhi

Old temple structures 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Rudrapathi Temple / Rudrakoteeswarar Temple / Keelakadambur Shiva Temple/ Uthrapthisvarar Temple, Keelakadambur, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

Visited this Rudrapathi Shiva temple at Keelakadambur along with Melakadambur Sri Amirthakadeswarar Temple, which are close to each other. During my visit in 2012, the temple was under renovation. Shiva Lingam was kept outside the temple. It is said that this is one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam.

Moolavar: Sri Rudrapathi/ Sri Rudrakoteeswarar /Uthrapathisvarar

Some of the special features are….

The temple faces east. Rishabam is in front of the temple. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Lingothbavar and Natarajar. The other koshta images, such as Gangalar, Chandikeswarar, Saptamatrikas, Dakshinamurthy, Suryan, Ardhanareeswarar, etc., are not installed and kept as loose sculptures.

There are many special features in this temple. The stories of 63 Nayanmar sculptures are in this temple.  

PC - website

PC - website

PC - website

PC - website

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The adhitanam is on a lotus petal platform, Jagathy, silambu kumudam, kapota with nasi kudus, and Vyyalavari. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with square bases, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veerakandam, and vettu/ poomottu pothyal. The prastratam consists of valapi with madhalai/ kodungai, kapotam with nasi kudus, and vyyalavari. The vimana is not there over the bhumi desam.

Some of the 63 Nayanmars’ bas reliefs are in this temple, and some of them are Karaikal Ammaiyar walking on hands to worship Shiva at Mount Kailash, Kannappa Nayanar, Chandikeswarar, Thadakai, one of the devotees worships Shiva, etc.

Rudrakoteswara Temple Kezha Kadambur

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple was constructed during the 11th–12th–century Chozha period along with Mela Kadambur Sri Amirthakadeswarar Temple, which is about a km from this temple. As per the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department display board, the temple sculptures are earlier than the Darasuram temple constructed by Rajaraja II.

பொயு 12 – 13 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு, சோழர்கள் காலத்தைச் சார்ந்த ருத்ராபதீஸ்வரர்கோயில் வடக்கு, தெற்கு, கிழக்கு, மேற்கு ஆகிய திசைகளில் மாடச்சிற்பங்களின் கீழ் பொறிக்கப்பட்டக் கல்வெட்டுகளாகும்.

இறைவன் பெயர்களும் சில நாயன்மார் பெயர்களும் குறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இக்கல்வெட்டுகள் அர்த்தமண்டபம், மகாமண்டபச் சுவர்களில் உள்ள தேவகோட்டம் மற்றும் பீடங்களின் கீழ் பொறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

Reference

தமிழ்நாட்டுக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி – V

(கடலூர் மாவட்டக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி – 1)

HOW TO REACH

The place Keela Kadambur is on the bus route from Chidambaram to Kattumannarkoil via Eyyalur

On the bus route from Kattumannarkoil to Eyyalur can reach Keezha Kadambur. 

The temple is 7.4 km from Kattumannarkoil, 34 km from Chidambaram, 41 km from Kumbakonam, 37 km from Sirkazhi, and 248 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Chidambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Rudrakoteswara Temple - Kezha Kadambur

PC - website

PC - website

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

 

Thiru Neelakandeswarar Temple/ திரு நீலகண்டேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Uthukottai, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiruneelakandeswarar Temple at Uthukottai was a part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit at Uthukottai and Allikuzhi on 2^nd August 2026. Thiruneelakandeswarar Temple at Uthukottai is on the banks of the Arani River.

Moolavar  : Thiru Neelakandeswarar

Consort    : Sri Anandavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance on the east and North sides. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati as Rishaba roodar, Sage Agasthiyar, Vinayagar, Murugan, and a saint (Manickavasagar..?) are on the top of the east side entrance mandapam. A stucco image of Natarajar is on the top of the north side entrance. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are immediately after the entrance. Stucco dwarapalakas are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Agasthiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Murugan, Ayyappan, Maha Vishnu, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, and Nagar.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi and faces south. Ambal is in a sitting posture (A rare posture) with abhaya varda hastam.

Chandikeswarar

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was built in Gajaprishta style from adhistanam to sigaram with brick and cement concrete. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala/ ardha mandapam, and open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum was built on Gajaprishta adhistanam. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An eka tala Gajaprishta vimanam is on the bhumi desam. The vimanam is eka tala with greevam and Gajaprishta sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the greeva koshtam. Five kalasas are on the top of the sigaram.

Ceiling inside sanctum sanctorum

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the original temple belongs to the 8th – 9th century Pallava period. Later, the temple received contributions from Chozha and Vijayanagaras. Telugu inscriptions are faintly visible on the beams of the sanctum sanctorum. We couldn’t apply powder/ vibuthi to confirm, due to lack of Trustee’s permission.  

The temple was reconstructed in 1990 century, and Gajaprishta Vimanam was added to the Gajaprishta Vimana sanctum sanctorum. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after attending repair works on 12^th May 1994, 20^th February 2004, and 20^th June 2018.

Believed to be some Telugu inscription

Believed to be some Telugu inscription

 Believed to be some Telugu inscription

LEGENDS

It is believed that the Moolavar was installed and worshipped by the sage Agasthiyar.

In the process of churning Thiruparkadal for the Amirth, by the Devas and Asuras, using Manthara hill as Maththuu and Vasuki (Snake) as a rope. Couldn’t tolerate the pain, the snake vomits the poison. To avoid mixing the poison with the Amirth, Shiva drank the poison. Ma Parvati holds the poison at the throat by pressing it with her hand. Due to this, the throat changed to blue colour. Hence Shiva is called Neelakandeswarar.

Ambal Sri Anandavalli is in a sitting posture. It is believed that before Shiva lay down at Suruttapalli, Shiva kept his head on the laps of Ambal at this temple.

The Moolavar is made of green stone and changes colour from light green to dark green from morning to evening. Further, it was told that Shiva is being worshipped by the Siddhars. As proof, the Gurukkal showed the spot on the avudaiyar, where Vbhuthi appears in the morning.

It is further believed that the devotees worship Shiva and Ambal of this temple for a child boon.   

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, two days of Kandar Sashti, Amavasya, Kiruthigai, Ashtami Deipirai, etc.

The Gurukal Ilangaovan showed us the termite on the dwajasthambam and the fund required for its replacement and Somavara annadhanam.  The Devotees are requested to perform the above kaingaryams and get the blessings of Thiruneelakandeswarar.

Termite

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 Gurukals Ilangovan +918680814853 and R Maharaja +919342598990 may be contacted for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on Kamarajar Street, in Uthukottai, about 200 meters from the Chennai – Tirupati Road, 3 km from Suruttapalli Sri Pallikondeswara Swamy Temple, 17.4 km from Periyapalayam, 28 km from Tiruvallur Railway Station, 50 km from Madhavaram Bus terminus, and 58 km from Koyambedu CMBT bus terminus.  

The nearest Railway station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATIONS OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Moolavar sannidhi

Ambal sannidhi

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---