The
visit to this Sri Aadhi Valeeswarar Temple in Viluppuram city was a part of the
“Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit in and around Viluppuram” - on 11th
August 2024.
Moolavar : Sri Adhi Valeeswarar
Consort : Sri Valambigai
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance
of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Vali, Vinayagar, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Sanctum Sanctorum is on a raised level. Moolavar is on a
round avudayar. In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.
In
praharam, Maha Vishnu with Anjaneyar, 63var, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar,
Jyotir Lingas ( Sri Smanathar, Sri Mallikarjunar, Sri Mahakaleswarar, Sri
Omkareswarar, Sri Vaithiyanathar, Sri Beemasankarar, Sri Ramanatha Swamy, Sri
Nageswarar, Sri Viswanathar, Sri Dharmakeswarar, Sri Khedhareeswarar, and Sri
Krishneswarar ), Gajalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Nagars, Saniswarar, Navagrahas,
Krishna, Saraswati, Stucco images of Nagar, Shiva in meditation, and
Ardhanaresswarar ( Ardhanareeswarar will be around 20 feet tall ).
Natarajar
and Ambal are in Mukha mandapam. Ambal sannidhi is facing south. Ambal is in
standing posture with abhya varada hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam / Mukha
mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with vrudha
Kumudam. The Bhitti starts with Vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha
pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai with plain mandi, tharanga pothyal. The
Prastaram consists of valapi with bhutavari, Kapotam with Nasikudus and Viyyalavari.
The temple from adhistanam to prastaram was built with stone. The superstructure,
the eka tala vesara Vimanam was built with bricks. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha
Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
As
per Viluppuram Ramasamy Padaiyachiyar Kaiyedu, it was mentioned that the temple
was constructed during the period of Aditha Chozha-I. But as per Ila Thiyagarajan, based on the
inscription style and the reign Year of the inscription, the temple might have
been built during Rajaraja-I. Later expanded during the Vijayanagara period and was
reconstructed in recent years.
There
were 6 inscriptions recorded from this temple. Of which 3 inscriptions belong
to Rajaraja-I, one belongs to Rajendra Chozha-I, and two belong to Vikrama
Chozha. Vikrama Chozha-I’s, one inscription is incomplete.
The inscriptions, record this place as Vadakarai Brahmadeyam Nrupathonga
Seyathangi Chaturvedi Mangalam. Shiva was called Thiruvaleeswarathu
Paramaswamigal. Rajendra Chozha-I’s inscription records this place as Jananatha
Chaturvedi Mangalam. Based on the name of the place, this place was existed
during the Pallava period the temple might have built as a brick temple during the
Pallava period and the same might have been reconstructed as a stone temple
during Rajaraja-I’s period.
Rajakesarivarman’s
( Rajaraja-I ), 4th reign year inscription ( 989 CE ), on the ardha
mandapam south wall records the sale of land 1062 kuzhi to this temple for 42
Kalanju gold, by Enur Thiruvenkata Gramaviththan and Enur Irushikesava
Gramaviththan.
Rajakesarivarman’s
( Rajaraja-I ), 8th reign year inscription ( 993 CE ), on the
Sanctum Sanctorum South wall records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp
by Vesaalipadi Vadakarai Vakoor Nattu Chikkar Chikkarudaiyan Perunjaman Puliyan
Madevan. For the same 90 ewes/ Goat are gifted to this temple.
Rajakesarivarman’s
( Rajaraja-I ), 13th reign year inscription ( 998 CE ), on the
Sanctum Sanctorum North wall records the sale of 6550 kuzhi land by the Sabha
to Arcot Kootrathu Peraraisoorudaiyan Udhya Divakaran alias Arumozhi Mooventha
Velar. The Land was sold for Srikoil Kanthamarchanai to the established
Kanthamarchanaiyalwar.
Rajendra
Chozha-I’s, 3rd reign year inscription (1015 CE), on the Sanctum
Sanctorum South wall records, the sale of 800 kuzhi land to the temple, by the
3 brothers, in Jananatha Chaturvedi Mangalathu Alunganathar, Araisoor
Vishnubruntha Narayanancholai, his brother Narayanan Thaththanu, his brother
Narayanan Thirumaliruncholai.
Vikrama
Chozha’s, 5th reign year inscription (1123 CE), on the Sanctum
Sanctorum West wall records, the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp at
Gangaikonda Chozhavalanattu Panaiyur Nattu Vavalur Nattu Brahmadeyam Sri
Jananatha Chaturvedimangalathu Thiruvaleecharamudaiya Mahadevar Temple. For the
same 8 Kasu was received by two Siva Brahmins and agreed to burn the lamp.
Ref:
Avanam
11, article by Ila Thiyagarajan Ariyalur and Ira Dhanabal Kanchipuram.
The Vikrama Chozha's inscription- க் - the mistake done during inscribing was added
LEGENDS
It
is believed that the Vanara King Vali, of Kishkindha, worshiped Shiva of this
temple, to get 50% of the strength, of the opponents. Despite getting the boon
from Shiva, Vali was killed by Rama, the Hero of the Hindu Epic Ramayana,
hiding behind trees. A brass icon of Vali in worshipping posture is installed
in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from Regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha
Shivaratri, Pournami, Amavasya, Kiruthigai, Theipirai Ashtami, New Year Days,
Vinayagar Chaturthi, Thiruvilakku pooja in the month Aadi, etc,
One of the 12 Jyotir Langas- A Mukha Lingam
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be open between 07.00 to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30
hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW
TO REACH
This
temple is in Poonthottam Mettutheru, a part of Viluppuram City, about 200
meters from Town Bus Stand ( back side of old Bus Stand ), 1.7 KM from Railway
Station, 2. KM from New Bus Stand, 39 KM from Tindivanam, and 167 KM from
Chennai.
Nearest
Railway Station is Viluppuram.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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