Sri Sampangi Pichaleeswarar Shiva Temple / ஸ்ரீ சம்பங்கி பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர் சிவன் கோயில், Arani, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Sampangi Pichaleeswarar Temple at Arani, was a part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit, in Tiruvallur District on, 1^st September 2024”. The temple is on the banks of the Arani River, which flows from South to North.

Moolavar   : Sri Sambangi Pichaleeswarar

Consort     : Sri Sivakamivalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a three-tier Rajagopuram on the East and west ( back side ). Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Moolavar is on a Round avudayar. Natarajar and Utsavars are in ardha mandapam. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai. 

Ambal is also facing east, on the right side of Moolavar sannidhi. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. In ardha mandapam, Nalvar, Navagrahas, and Ayyappan.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Ayyanar with Poorna and Puskala, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance), Annamalaiar Sannidhi/Temple, Nagars, Kailasanathar Sannidhi, Veerabhara Sannidhi, Bairavar, Chandran, Suriya, and a Shiva Temple facing West.

The West facing Shiva Sannidhi in the praharam is abutting Ambal temple. This temple is with Dwarapalakas with Deva Koshta Murtis. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma. A two-tier Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.  

Arumugar with Sri and Devasena

 Sri Ayyanar with Poorna & Puskala

 Veerabhadra

The Donor with his wife worshipping 

 Dakshinamurthy and Durgai

Chandikeswarar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and Pattaikai. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam and palakai and Vettu pothyal. Deva Koshtas are sala style. Kumbha banjaras are in between salai pathi and karnapathi. The prastaram consists of valapi, and kapotam with nasi kudus. The two tala Nagara Vimanam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the Tala and Greeva Koshtams.

The temple might have been constructed with red laterite stone and plastered with lime mortar.

The East and west side Rajagopurams are in similar construction. Up to Kalkaram built with red laterite stone.

The Utsava mandapam after the east side of Rajagopuram was completely constructed with red laterite stone.

Ambal Temple is with a two tiers salakara Vimanam, which includes adhi tala. Ambal’s various forms are on the Tala and Greeva Koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Ayyanar with Poorna & Puskala Sannidhi entrance has two Squatting Lion Pillars and a Sandstone Pillar near the west side of Rajagopuram. Based on these, the original temple might have been constructed during Pallava Period and expanded later with additional parivara sannidhis.

A 12^th to 13th-century Chozha period fragment inscription stone is fixed on the north Compound Wall.

The Kailasanathar Sannihi was donated by Appadurai Chettiar’s Son Subramaniam Chettiar and consecrated on 23^rd February 1953.

Pallava period Lion Pillars stone Pillar

Pallava period Sandstone Pillar

Chozha inscription

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Fridays, Vinayagar Chaturthi, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to  12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This place Arani is in Tiruvallur District, between Puduvayal and Periyapalayam Road.

The temple is about 5 KM from Periyapalayam, 17 KM from Gummidipoondi, 14 KM from Ponneri, 28 KM from Puzhal, and 43 KM from Koyambedu.

Nearest railway Station is Ponneri.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Built with laterite stone 

Built with laterite stone 

Built with laterite stone 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---