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 the 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 the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape, on a lotus petals upa peedam, and adhistana is of pada bandha with three patta kumuda. The bhitti starts from vedhigai. Brahma kantha / square pilasters support the bhitti with malaithongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandi, palakai, veerakandam and vettu pothigai. The prastaram consists of valapi, 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 (maybe once in metal).

The koshta images Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu (in makara torana, Maha Vishnu is in sayana posture), Brahma, and Durgai look beautiful. The makara torana above the koshtas also has the respective deities' images. The bhitti kanda pada portions have miniature sculptures of a King and Cow worshipping Lord Shiva, Gajasamharamurthy, Kannappa Nayanar, Chandeswara Nayana,r  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 the Pallava period. Later, the temple received contributions from Chozhas, Sambuvarayars, Pandyas, and Vijayanagars. As per the inscriptions, this place was called 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 Chozha's inscription records the gift of land at Sirathandalam of Chembur Kottam, by Palaravar  (many people). One of the people 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 belonging to Arur of Utrukattu Kottam. The inscription also records the Kalamukha Munivars.

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

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

Konerimai Kondan period inscription records the order of the King. In that, A land was gifted to Thondaiman of Nemeli. This place was referred to 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 were received by Thiruvilakudi Mandradi Thaliayakon, who agreed to supply one Azhakku ghee measured in “Rajakesari Nazhi”.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 10^th reign year (1347 CE) incomplete inscription records that land was gifted to Ambala Venavudayan Devandai Gangarayan of the Kaikolar community, by the Kalathur Nattu people. 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 without 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 record the gift of land, collecting Taxes and giving to this temple, Cows, for conducting regular poojas and celebrations, burning perpetual lamps, houses for Dancers, appointment of doing jobs at the temple, and also built a mandapa by Thimmarayan for the well-being of Malaiyappan.

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

விஜயநகர  அரசர் பொக்கண உடையார் ( பொயு 1404 ) காலத்தைச் சார்ந்த அர்த்தமண்டப தெற்கு சுவரில் உள்ள கல்வெட்டு, ஜயங்கொண்டசோழ மண்டலத்துக் களத்தூர் கோட்டத்துக் களத்தூர் ஊர் திருவாலக்கோயில் கைக்கோள முதலிகளில் திருச்சூலமுடையான வேணாவுடையான் என்பவன் புதுப்பாக்கத்தில் இருந்த குறிப்பிட்ட நிலத்தினை விலைக்கு வாங்கிக் கோயிலுக்குத் தானமளித்துள்ளான் என்ற செய்தியைப்பதிவு செய்கின்றது

Ref : 

தமிழ்நாட்டுக்கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி -IX, காஞ்சிபுரம் மாவட்டக் கல்வெட்டுக்கள் தொகுதி -5.

Vikrama Chozha's period inscription

Viruppanna Udayar's period Inscription

LEGENDS

Devotees pray to Lord Shiva and Tripura Sundari for marriage, Child boon, and 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 open from 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 the Pallava and Chozha periods, this place, Thiruvanai Koil, was a part of Kalathur, i.e., 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.

The 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 (..?) worshipping Lord Shiva

A pregnant lady is being assisted for delivery

 Triprantakar

Markandeyar Puranam

Kannappar Puranam

Gajasamharamurthy

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---