The visit to this Sri Vanavakoteeswarar Temple
at Valayamdevi, near Sethiathoppu, was part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples
visit” in Cuddalore District on 13th June 2026.
Moolavar : Sri Vanavakoteeswarar
Consort : Sri Balambigai
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple faces east with entrances on the south and east. A single-tier Rajagopuram
is on the south side. Rishabam and balipeedam are on the east side of the
temple. Vinayagar, Nalvar, Bairavar, Suryan, and Chandran are in the mandapam.
Moolavar is big on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar,
Brahma, and Durgai. Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam.
In
the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Ambal, Chandikeswarar,
and Navagrahas.
Ambal
is in a separate temple that faces east, on the left side of the main temple. Ambal is
in a standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam. Gajalakshmi is in the Ambal temple’s
ardha mandapam.
Suryan
Subramaniar
Chandran
Nalvar
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple was reconstructed without following any temple architecture. The prastaram consists of valapi and
kapotam with nasi kudus. An eka tala vesara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Maha
nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions. The greeva koshtas are empty.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is said that the original temple is more than 1000 years old. The Bairavar and
Suryan may belong to the 12th to 13th Century Chozha period.
It
is said that the original name of Moolavar Sri Banukoteeswarar was changed to
Vanavakoteeswarar due to an error made in the Government records.
Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 14th July 2025 after thirupani. 50
% of the thirupani was contributed by Tharumai Adheenam, which includes the construction
of the south-side one-tier Rajagopuram, installation of Pancha Murthy images, Maha
mandapam, stucco images of Ardhanareeswarar and Rishabam on the main sanctum
sanctorum, Ambal Temple, installation of a pillar at the east-side entrance, and
Panchavarna paintings. Tharumai Adheenam’s stucco image is on the top of the
south-side entrance to the ardha /maha mandapam.
Tharumai Adheenam's participation in the 2025 kumbhabhishekam
Tharumai Adheenam's stucco image on the top of the mandapam
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, Surya worshipped Shiva at this temple. It is said that from
April 1st to 10th, sunlight used to fall on Moolavar and
Ambal.
Since the Ambal temple is on the left side of the Moolavar Temple, worshipping Shiva and
Ambal will get rid of marriage obstacles, will get the child boon, etc. It is
advised that the newly married couple worship Shiva and Ambal for a happy
married life.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha
Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Kirithigai, Ashtami Deipirai, Kiruthigai, etc.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00
hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Ravi
Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile number +919976560922 for poojas and
further details.
HOW
TO REACH
This
place, Valayamadevi, is on the Sethiyathoppu - Virudhachalam Main Road, about 5
km from Sethiyathoppu, 21 km from Virudhachalam and Vadalur, 26 km from
Chidambaram, 50 km from Cuddalore, and 69 km from Kumbakonam.
The
nearest Railway Junction is Virudhachalam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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