Sri Vilvanatheswarar Temple / Sri Vilwanatheswarar Temple /திருவல்லம் வில்வநாதேசுவரர் கோயில், Thiruvalam, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu

While I was searching the Aalayam Kanden web site, understand that Mrs PadmaPriya Baskaran is organizing a one day trip to Thakkolam ( click here ), Melpadi, Pullalur and Thiruvalam on 9^th August 2015 for Ponniyin Selvan Group ( Click here  Click Here ). Even-though I had been earlier to Thakkolam and Thiruvalam temples as a part of pilgrimage yatra to cover 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal (for details CLICK HERE ) thought of doing once again with a group of heritage enthusiasts. 

 

Kolattam by ladies

 

The new things learned in this trip are....

Sri Vinayagar is sitting on his vahana –moonchuru holding mango in the right hand, The reliefs associated with the history of this temple are highlighted in the front mandapam during the recent renovation. The Adhi Shiva temple is at a lower level with lot of inscriptions.

 

As per Mr Venkatesh understood that Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan - Vanthiya thevan' s birth place is Thiruvalam.

 The relief  on the pillar Bull and elephant- Rishaba Kunjaram 

  Emblem of Vijayanagars dynasty

Kannappar worshiping Lord shiva – removing his eyes and keeping his legs on Shiva’s eyes as a location – see the bow’s thread.

A relief on Adhi Vilvanathar Temple wall

 Adhi Vilvanathar Temple 

 Thiruvilayadal Puranam – Pittukku man sumanthathu 

 Iranya kasibu and Narasimhar

 Reliefs on Ambal sannadhi wall 

 Reliefs on Ambal sannadhi wall 

 Reliefs on Ambal sannadhi wall

HISTORY  AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Lord Shiva is called in different names. Nandhivarma Pallavan-III (CE863) – Theekali Vallamudaya Parameswarar, Mahavali Vaana  bana Raja ( Vikramathiya I) ( CE888) – Theekkali Perumanadikal,  Rajaraja Cholan ( 991 CE) – Thirutheekkali Alwar, Rajendra Cholan (1015 CE)-Thiruvallamudayar, Vikrama Cholan ( 1123 CE ) –Thiruvallamudaya Mahadevar, Kulothunga Chozhan III ( 1212 CE) _ Thiruvallamudaya Nayanar.

The temple has the inscriptions of Pallava and Chola periods. The place was called in different names as per the inscriptions. Nandhivarman ( 793 CE ) – Vaanapuram, Rajaraja Cholan ( 991CE ) – Theekkali Vallam and in Arunagirinathar’s  Thiruppugazh – Thiruvalam. 

LEGENDS

Mrs Priya explained the history and the sthala purana bas reliefs in detail on the pillars and went round the temple. Had the darshan of Sri Dhanurmathyambal sametha Sri Vilvanatheswarar. ( For My Previous Visit details : CLICK HERE    ).

Cow is milking on Shiva Lingam 

The priest bringing water from the hill for Shiva's abishekam( The history of the temple )

When the demon Kanjan obstruct the way Rishabam killed the demon and tore to 64 pieces which forms as Shiva Lingas on the hill.( History of the temple )

Rishabam turned back to Shiva and watching not to repeat by anybody else ( Sthala purana of the temple ) 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE     : CLICK HERE

I extend my sincere thanks to Mrs Padmapriya Baskaran, Mr Venkatesh, Mr Vaidyanathan Ramamurthy for organizing a wonderful one day Heritage Visit.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---