Saturday, 22 August 2026

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 2nd 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 18th 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 ---

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