Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ நீலகண்டேஸ்வர் கோயில், / Allikuzhi Shiva temple Neelakandeswarar Temple, Allikuzhi, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple at Allikuzhi was a part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit at Uthukottai and Allikuzhi on 2^nd August 2026. This Gajaprishta Vimana Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple is in the midst of fields, away from human habitation.

Moolavar  : Sri Neelakandeswarar

Consort    : Sri Neelayathankshi Ambal / Alliambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a temple tank in front. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the entrance. Two Rishabams and a Vinayagar are kept in the open mukha mudapam as loose sculptures, at the base of the three mandapa pillars. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Vinayagar and Murugan are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum entrance. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Agasthiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingohbavar, Brahma, Vishnu, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Suryan, an inscription tablet, Anjaneyar, Vinayagar, Ayyappan, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Maha Vishnu with Sri Devi and Bhudevi (Ramanujar, Maha Vishnu in sitting posture and Garudan are also in the sanctum sanctorum), Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Nagars. Saniswarar and Bairavar.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi and faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. A Saint’s idol is at the entrance of Ambal Sannidhi. 

A Saint

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar

 Vishnu Durgai

 Chandikeswarar

Ayyappan 

Maha Vishnu - Anjaneyar

Bairavar

 Bairavar

 Vinayagar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape on a simple adhistanam. No particular architecture was adopted for the adhistanam and bhitti. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The vimanam over the bhumi desam is with one tala, Gajaprishta greevam and Sigaram with 3 kalas. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtas. Stucco image of Saraswati is in the lalada nasi.

Solar and Lunar eclipse and Lizard bas reliefs are on the ceiling of the mukha mandapam.

Mukha mandapam

Lizard

Solar and Lunar eclipse

Herder - Clown

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple belongs to the Pallava period and later received contributions from the Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. The open mukha mandapam was constructed during the Vijayanagara period. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum and ardha antarala were reconstructed in the 20^th century.

A 1921 inscription tablet is installed on the left side of the praharam after the entrance with a bas-relief of a Shiva Linga and Rishabam on the top. The inscription records that the mandapam was constructed by Customs Department Inspector Saravana Mudaliyar’s wife, Kamalatchi Ammal. The inscription mentions that Kamalatchi Ammal was the daughter of Kandappa Mudaliar and Saravana Mudaliar was the son of Kanchipuram Gopuram Sabapathi Mudaliar. It also records that this place was in Chengalpattu District before the Kanchipuram district was formed and Chengalpattu lost its District Status.  

Major renovations were carried out, which include the construction of a compound wall, Moolavar Sannidhi vimanam, entrance arch, etc and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 10^th Sept 2023, after 100 years.  

The temple is under the control of the HR and CE Department.

LEGENDS

In the process of churning Thiruparkadal for the Amirth, by the Devas and Asuras, using Manthara hill as Maththuu and Vasuki (Snake) as a rope. Couldn’t tolerate the pain, the snake vomits the poison. To avoid mixing the poison with the Amirth, Shiva drank the poison. Ma Parvati holds the poison at the throat by pressing it with her hand. Due to this, the throat changed to blue colour. Hence, Shiva is called Neelakandeswarar.

It is believed that the Sun worships Shiva of this temple. Panguni, Chithirai, Aippasi, and Puratasi months, sunrays fall on the moolavar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala poojas are conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Allikuzhi is about 400 meters from the village, 13.5 km from Tiruvallur – Uthukkottai main road, 20.5 km from Uthukkottai, 31 km from Tiruvallur, and 34 km from Tiruttani.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATIONS OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Maha Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi

Maha Vishnu and Garudan

Garudan

Maha Vishnu

Ramanujar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Alliamman Temple/ ஸ்ரீ அல்லியம்மன் கோயில், at Allikuzhi, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Alliamman Temple at Allikuzhi was a part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit at Uthukottai and Allikuzhi, on 2^nd August 2026. The temple is in the midst of the Allikuzhi range of hills, where the ancient Stone Age people lived.

Moolavar: Sri Alliamman

Some of the special features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a trishul, balipeedam and Simham. Vinayagar is on the left side of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum, Sri Alliamman is in a sitting posture and holds a knife and a bowl. An image of Amman’s head size is at the feet of Amman.   

In the praharam, Saptamatrikas are in the form of brick-size stones and Nagars.

Two sets of Nagars are under the tree on the outside of the temple.

Saptamatrikas

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape. An eka tala salakara vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum.

 Vijayanagaras's favourite image of Herder

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may be 400 to 500 years old and later received contributions from Vijayanagaras and Nayaka rulers. The temple was reconstructed, retaining the Vijayanagara period mandapam.

Based on the iconography of the mukha mandapam pillars and the bas-reliefs, the mandapam belongs to the Vijayanagara period.

Originally, the temple may have been dedicated to Saptamatrikas and later converted to Alliamman  

LEGENDS

It is believed that Alliamman is a Grama Devata and kula deivam of Allikuzhi villagers and protects them from animals of the forest and diseases. Also

The villagers worship Alliamman for a child boon and to remove marriage obstacles.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Oru Kala poojas, special poojas are conducted in Adi month, and an annual festival will be conducted in the month of August/ Adi Month. Devotees offer Sarkarai Pongal to Amman.

Adi Thiruvizha

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru Kala Pooja is conducted, the opening and closing of the temple are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Poojari may be contacted on the mobile number +918939518804 for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Allikuzhi is about one km from the village, in the midst of the forest/ Sambangi flower fields, 13.5 km from Tiruvallur – Uthukkottai main road, 20.5 km from Uthukkottai, 31 km from Tiruvallur, and 34 km from Tiruttani.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Poojari Mannachi preparing for the pooja

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Pitchaliswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ பிச்சாலிஸ்வரர் கோயில், Pondavakkam/ போந்தவாக்கம், Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Pitchaliswarar Temple at Pondavakkam was a part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit at Uthukottai and Allikuzhi, on 2^nd August 2026. The temple is on the banks of the Arani River and Telugu Ganga Channel.

Moolavar  : Sri Pichaleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Kamakshiamman, Sri Maragathambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance from the south side. Dwajasthambam, balipedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. A Bairavar is in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar/ In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Iyyappan, Sri Murugan/Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, and Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate Sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya varda hastam.

Suryan and Murugan

 Bairavar and Chandikeswarar

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was constructed with Laterite stones and bricks. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape on a simple adhistanam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The vimanam over the bhumi desam is with one tala, greevam and Dravida Sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtas.  

Renovation of the vimana

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that the original temple was constructed during the Pallava period, and later reconstructed and received contributions from Chozhas, Vijayanagaras, Nayakas, etc. But no evidence was found to prove its antiquity. Considering the 18th-century inscriptions on the pillars, the temple may belong to 17 to 18^th century.

பொயு 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில் மண்டப முதல் தூணில் உள்ள சிதைந்த கல்வெட்டு கச்சியூர் நாட்டு வெண்குன்றத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஒருவன் போந்தவாக்கம் கோயிலுக்கு இந்த தூண் தந்தான் போலும். வெண்குன்றம் என்று ஊர் வந்தவாசி அருகே இன்றும் இதே பெயரில் உள்ளது. வெண்குன்றம் ஒரு கோட்டமாகவும் இருந்துள்ளது.

The 18th-century inscription on the first pillar in the mandapa states that the pillar was gifted by a Venkunram resident.

பொயு 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில் மண்டப தூணில் உள்ள சிதைந்த கல்வெட்டு கச்சி மற்றும் வேண்டான்பள்ளி என்ற சொற்கள் உள்ளன. திருப்பணிக்கு உதவியவர் விவரம் எனலாம்.

The 18th-century inscription on the mandapam pillar states that the pillar was constructed by Vendānpalli of Kachchiyür.

பொயு 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில் மண்டப மூன்றாவது தூணில் உள்ள சிதைந்த கல்வெட்டு குணமேவன் என்ற பெயரும் வேளான் என்ற சொல்லும் உள்ளது. வேளான் - குயவர் ஆவான்.

The 18th-century inscription on the mandapam 3rd pillar states that the pillar was gifted by Vēlan of Kachchiyūr-Nādu, Aludaiparappi Gunamevan.

Reference

தமிழ்நாட்டுக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - XXX

(திருவள்ளூர் மவட்டக்கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - II) 

The front ardha mandapam was constructed in the 18th-century Nayaka period.

The temple was in a dilapidated condition; trees had grown on the vimanam, and it was taken for major renovations. Some of the old structures were pulled down, and the new structure is about to be completed.

LEGENDS

Devotees worship Shiva of this temple to remove marriage obstacles and Child boon.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Since the temple is in palalayam, oru kala poojas are conducted; no special poojas are conducted. Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri were performed before renovations were undertaken.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Usually, the temple is open from 09.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs for orukala poojas.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the south side of Arani River, 1.2 km from Tiruvallur to Uthukottai Road, 4 km from Uthukottai, and 25 km from Tiruvallur.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Iyyappan Sannidhi

Murugan Sannidhi

Old temple structures 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---