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

While I was searching the Aalayam Kanden website, I understood that Mrs Padma Priya 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 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 it 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 a 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 a lot of inscriptions.

 

As per Mr Venkatesh understood that Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan - Vanthiya Thevan's birthplace is Thiruvalam.

 The relief  on the pillar, Bull and elephant- Rishaba Kunjaram 

  Emblem of the Vijayanagar 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 the Adhi Vilvanathar Temple wall

 Adhi Vilvanathar Temple 

 Thiruvilayadal Puranam – Pittukku man sumanthathu 

 Hiranyakashibu and Narasimhar

 Reliefs on Ambal sannadhi wall 

 Reliefs on Ambal sannadhi wall 

 Reliefs on Ambal sannadhi wall

HISTORY  AND INSCRIPTIONS

Lord Shiva is called by different names. Nandhivarma Pallavan-III (CE863) – Theekali Vallamudaya Parameswarar, Mahavali Vaana bana Raja (Vikramathiya I) (CE 888) – 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 the Pallava and Chola periods. The place was called by 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).

The cow is milking on the Shiva Lingam 

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

When the demon Kanjan obstructed the way, Rishabam killed the demon and tore it into 64 pieces, which formed as Shiva Lingas on the hill. (History of the temple)

Rishabam turned back to Shiva and watched not be repeated 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---