13,
January 2014.
On
12-01-2014, I had been to Thiruvalam alias Thiruvallam, one of the Paadal
Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. This is my second visit to this temple. I
would like to make use of the Holiday - Sunday - and do not want to go on
Pongal Holidays to avoid crowd ( Crowd every where ). Since the Sunday is a
holiday and a day is left to Pongal, the bus took 1 ½ Hours to came out of
Koyambedu bus terminus, due to traffic. Special buses were operated to meet the
crowd. It was a confusing moment to identify the bus bay, since the regular
places were changed. It was sad to see the people are reserving the seat
before it enters inside the terminus.
Since I
went early in the morning around 05.45 Hrs, it was easy for me to get the
bus to Arcot and from there I went to Thiruvalam through a town bus. In
the temple there was not much crowd and I had the (abhishekam) dharshan of Lord
Shiva. Spent about 2 hours admiring the beauty of the temple, idols/ moortis and
reliefs.
10.
SRI VILVANATHESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVALAM -திருவலம் -
Now this
place is called as Thiruvalam – திருவலம். This is the 10th Devaram
Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of River Ponnai ( There is also another
name “neevaa ( நீ வா ) ” to this river – The river changed it's direction and came
nearer, when Lord Shiva asked ) in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung
hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Entrance arch with First level 4 tier Rajagopuram view
Moolavar :
Sri Vilvanatheeswarar, Sri Vallanathar
Consort : Sri Thanumathyambal, Sri Vallambigai.
Some of
the important features of this temple are…….
The temple
is facing east with an entrance from south. The First level
Rajagopuram is of 4 tiers and the second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. The Gowri
Theertha kulam with neerazhi mandapam is on the right between 1st and
2nd level
rajagopurams.
On the left Temple for Sri Rajarajeswari. Also there
is a copper plate inscription installed by Sri la Sri Sivanatha Mouna Swamigal
(The message details of the inscriptions are posted in the next post ). At the 2nd level
Rajagopuram moortham of Valampuri Vinayagar and Aathmalingeswarar on the left. Immediately
after the 2nd level
Rajagopuram Kalabhairavar on the right.
In the
outer prakaram ( in the 100 pillar mondapam ) sannadhi for Kasi Viswanthar,
Chandramouleeswarar, Annamalaiyar, Sadhasivar, Anandhar, Neelakandar,
Ambikeswarar, 1008 Mahalingam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Gurueswarar,
Vishnueswarar, Vidhaatharaeswarar, 1300 years old Mango tree and Kani vangiya
Vinayagar ( கனி வாங்கிய விநாயகர் ). Also
separate temples for Aathi Vilvanathar, Sundareswarar with Meenakshi and Ambal
Temple facing east in the outer prakaram.
Saba mandapam, Balipedam Dwajasthambam, Athikara Nandhi, Big Sudhai Nandhi ( Installed
by Sri La Sri Sivanandha Mouna Swamikal), Mouna Swamikal Mootham, Navagrahas
are in the front mandapam. Adhikara nandhi, Sudhai nandhi and the nandhi
in the inner prakaram are facing east along with moolavar. ( There was an
interesting story for this. The devotees who brought water to Lord’s
abhishekam from the Kanjanagiri was obstructed by Kanjan, an asuran. He was
killed by Nandhiyamperuman. Hence Nandhis are facing east. ). This story in
sudhai sirpam is on the saba mandapam and there is relief chiseled on the
mandapam pillar also.
100 Pillar mandapam
There is
also a special feature about the Gopuram of Saba Mandapam. The Stucco images / Sudhai sirpam of
27 Nakshathra Devathai’s Stucco images /sudhai sirpam is on the gopuram.
In the
inner prakaram Idols /moorthangal of Brahmi, Vishnu, 63var ( in ஐம்பொன் - Impon and stone – installed in
2 rows ), Chandikeswarar and Nagar.
In
koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai ( Not standing
on mahishasuran ).
In the
artha mandapam Vishnu, Urchavars ( the beauty of Sakthi and Bhikshadanar are to
be seen ), Chandrasekarar. Standing in one place we can have the darshan of
Lord Shiva and Vishnu.
The
Dwarapalakas are not a regular moorthams. The left side Dwarapalakar is
some what, a regular with usual mudra ( The index finger – to threaten ). The
right side dwarapalakar is like dancing with a beautiful smile on his
face. ( Thanks to the Sivachariyar and his son, who gave permission to take
photographs of Dwarapalakas ).
The
moolavar is of swayambhu and little inclined to north looks majestic. It was
believed that the Vinayagar has got the Mango fruit after circumambulating Lord
Shiva and Parvathi in this temple, hence he is called a “Kani vangiya
Vinayagar ( கனி வாங்கிய விநாயகர் )“ and Vinayagar is facing north. Hence the place is also called
as Thiruvalam.
Sri la
Sri Sivanadha mouna Swamigal jeeva samadhi is on the left side of Temple arch . He
had done lot of thirupani to this temple. He had cured many deceases through
vibudhi and vilva leaves. He spent all the donations for the thirupani. ( A
copper plate with inscriptions can be seen one left side near Sri
Ambikeswari samedha Sri Raja Rajeswarar temple between the two rajagopurams ).
Sri La Sri Sivananda Mouna Swamy's Thirupani Cheppedu made of copper - Since the Cheppedu's contents runs in to pages, the same is posted in the next post.
( செப்பேடு )
Ambal
Sri Thanumathyambal is in a separate Temple and she was also called
as "Theekali Ambal" with ukram on her face. It was believed that
Adhi sankarar had changed thi ukaram in to a peace/ Shantham. In
koshtam Vinayagar, Annapoorani, Ambal with Abayavaram and Durgai.
HISTORY ANS INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple has lot of Tamil inscriptions. Koprakesari
Rajendra Chozhan, Korajakesarivarman Raja mahendran, Kulothungan, Third
Kulothungan, Chozha Booban’s son Veerasamban and many
other king’s period inscriptions are found. These inscriptions
mainly speaks about the building of mandapas, donations of land, cattle,
etc., and the income form to be used to burn the lamps
and prasad /naivedyam.
The temple has the inscriptions of Pallava and Chola periods. The place was called in different names as per the inscriptions. Nandhivarman ( 793 CE ) – Vaanapuram, Rajaraja Cholan ( 991CE ) – Theekkali Vallam and in Arunagirinathar’s Thiruppugazh – Thiruvalam,
The Lord Shiva is called in different names. Nandhivarma Pallavan-III (CE863) – Theekali Vallamudaya Parameswarar, Mahavali Vaana bana Raja ( Vikramathiya I) ( CE888) – Theekkali Perumanadikal, Rajaraja Cholan ( 991 CE) – Thirutheekkali Alwar, Rajendra Cholan (1015 CE)-Thiruvallamudayar, Vikrama Cholan ( 1123 CE ) –Thiruvallamudaya Mahadevar, Kulothunga Chozhan III ( 1212 CE) _ Thiruvallamudaya Nayanar.
The temple
will be kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
For pooja
and other details the Sivachariyar Umapathi can be contacted over
his land line 0416 – 2236088 and mobile 9894922166.
Also Mr
Sivan 9245446956 can be contacted over his mobile.
HOW
TO REACH
The place
Thiruvalm is on the bus route Chennai to Chithoor ( Route No 144 ), after
Ranipet.
From
Arcot town bus is availabe to Thiruvalam.
From
Chennai to Vellore get down at Muthukadai after Walaja and catch a bus to
Thiruvalam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK
HERE
First level Rajagopuram
First level Rajagopuram details
First level Rajagopuram - view from inside the temple
Gowri Theertham with Neerazhi mandapam
Dwajasthambam with Adhikara Nandhi
Temple Complex view
Saba mandapa Vimanam / Gopuram with 27 Nakshathras sudhai sirpangal
Aadhi Vilvanathar Sannadhi in outer prakaram facing east
Stucco Rishabam with Navagrahas
63var in Impon and stone are in two rows
Dakshinamurthy
Sakthi and Pichadanar urchava idols
Shantha Durgai
Dwarapalakas not in regular posture - The right side Dwarapalakar looks like dancing with a beautiful smile on his face
Right side dwarapalakar see the smile on his face
Gangalar
Sthala Puranam Reliefs on Ambal temple wall - Rishabam is proceeding to Kanjangiri to kill Kanjan from the temple
Bowl chiseled in stone - Relief of kolattam by ladies - very beautiful - At the right side of 2nd level Rajagopuram .
Front Mandapam Sri la Sri Sivandha Mouna Swamigal - devotees with bhajan and Pooja.
Stucco Rishabam built by Sri-la-Sri Sivanandha mouna Swamigal
Chariot
--- OM SIVAYA NAMA ---
