Thiruvalamudaiyar Temple / Sri Thiruvaleeswarar Temple, Thiruvanai Koil, Pudupakkam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiruvalamudaiyar Temple at Thiruvanai Koil near P.V. Kalathur in Chengalpattu District was a part of  Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumalkoil, Kolathur ( Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam  and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24^th October 2021.

Moolavar  : Sri Thiruvaleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Thiripurasundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Vinayagar, Nagar and Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai are on the right side, before the entrance. Moolavar is Short  and Swayambhu.  Balipeedam, Rishabam / Idabam and Chandikeswarar are in the praharam.

In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Ambal and Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape, on a lotus petals upa peeda and Adhistana is of Padabandha with Three patta Kumuda.  Bhitti starts from Vedhigai. Brahma kantha / square pilasters supports the Bhitti with malaithongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandi, palakai, veerakandam and vettu pothigai.  Prastaram consists of Valabi, kapotam and Bhoomidesam. Vyalavari is in the Bhoomidesam.

An eka thala Stucco Gajabirushta Vimana is on the bhoomidesam. The Vimana is with 3 maha nasis and a lalada nasi. The nasis and greeva koshtas are empty. The 5 Kalasas are also in stucco ( may be once in metal ).

The Koshta images Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu ( in makara thorana Maha Vishnu is in Sayana Posture ),  Brahma and Durgai are looks beautiful. The Makara thorana above the Koshtas also has the respective deities images. The Bhitti Kanda pada portions   has the miniature sculptures of a King and Cow worshiping Lord Shiva, Gajasamharamurthy, Kannappa Nayanar, Chandeswara Nayanar  and Markandeyar / Kala samhara murthy purana, A pregnant lady being assisted by other ladies, Elephants, Vali Sukreevan fight, etc,.  are beautifully carved.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was constructed during Pallava period. Lattwer the temple received contributions from Chozhas, Sambuvarayars, Pandyas and  Vijayanagars.  As per the inscriptions this place was called as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu, Kalathur Kottathu Kalathur Nattu, Thiruvalakoyiludaya Nayanar, Thiruvalakoyiludayar, Thiruvalayappan, etc,.

The Chozha King Rajarajan-I’s period inscription records that Parasivan Thazhuvakuzhainthavan of Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Venkundra Kottam established an endowment of burning a lamp  to Alakoil Mahadevaar. The inscription also mentions the Kalamukha saints.  Also another inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a merchant of Mylapore ( a part of Chennai ).

The Chozha King Vikrama Chozhas inscription records the gift of land at Sirathandalam of Chembur Kottam, by Palaravar  ( many people ). One of the person belongs to Chembur kottathu Pattina nattu Kovur and another person belongs to Pattinam.

The Chozha King Kulothunga Chozha’s period inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a person belongs to Arur of Utrukattu kottam. The inscription also records the Kalamukha munivars.

Sundara Panyan period inscription records that a gift of lands to Kaikolar and Dancers in the village Viththoor, which was under Madurantaka Chathurvedi mangalam.

Sundara Pandyan’s period inscription records that Narayanapuram  Ramarasaiyan’s son Thimmarayan gave a gift of landa and House to a Dancer  to work in this Thiruvala Koil temple functions.

Konerimai Kondan period inscription records the order of the King. In that A land was gifted to Thondaiman of Nemeli. This place was referred as Thiruneetru Chozha nallur. This order was signed by Anabaya Chozha Mooventha Velan.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan-I's 3rd reign year ( 1340 CE ) inscription records the  endowment of ½ Nandha vilakku / perpetual lamp, by Kaikolar Ambalavar Venavudayar. For the same 15 Cows was received by Thiruvilakudi Mandradi Thaliayakon and agreed to supply one Azhakku ghee measured in “Rajakesari Nazhi”.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 10^th reign year ( 1347 CE ) incomplete inscription records that a land  was gifted to Ambala Venavudayan Devandai Gangarayan of Kaikolar community, by the Kalathur Nattu people. And it also mentions 13 pon / Gold which is incomplete.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 12^th  reign year ( 1349 CE ) records the gift of lands as sarvamaniyam ( without any taxes ) by the King for poojas with out stop.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 12^th  reign year ( 1349 CE wrongly mentioned as 1341 CE ) inscription records the  gift of 15 cows as surabi (..?)by Mallinathan Rajanarayanan Sambuvarayan and the same was handed over to Mallan’s son Ezhumbothakon.

The rest of Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s  11 inscriptions records the gift of land, collecting Taxes and given to this temple, Cows,    for conducting regular poojas and celebrations, burning perpetual lamps, houses  for Dancers, appointment of doing jobs at the temple,  also built a mandapa by Thimmarayan  for the wellbeing of Malaiyappan.

Vijayanagara King Viruppanna Udayar period inscription records the gift of a village Uthama Chozha Vilakam, after rectifying the destroyed place. It also mentions the name of Pundarika Rajendra Chozhan.

Vikrama Chozha's period inscription

Viruppanna Udayar's period Inscription

LEGENDS

Devotees prays Lord Shiva and Tripura Sundari for marriage, Child boon, to get peace in life.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala Pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha shivaratri.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10. 00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Gurukkal Siva and Dhayalan are residing in front of the temple and they are reluctant to share their  contact details.

HOW TO REACH

During Pallava and Chozha period this place Thiruvanai Koil was a part of Kalathur ie Pon Vilaintha kalathur.

The temple is now at Mettu Puthupakkam,  3 KM from Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, 8 KM from Chengalpattu, 43 KM from Tambaram and 70 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

 Brahma

Chandikeswarar

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai / Mootha Devi ( PC: From web ) 

Dakshinamurthy

Chandikeswarar Puranam

A King (..?) worshiping Lord Shiva

A pregnant lady being assisted for delivery

 Triprantakar

Markandeyar Puranam

Kannappar Puranam

Gajasamharamurthy

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---