Voyalanallur Temples

Tucked away in Tamil Nadu's tranquil landscape, the lesser-known village of Voyalanallur, lying just 40 kilometers from Chennai, harbors the secrets of two ancient temples, one dedicated to Lord Kandaswamy and the other to Lord Shiva.

In this hidden gem, discover a remarkable shrine with a magnificent 7-foot murti of  Kandaswamy, also known as Subramanya or Murugan, an embodiment of Brahma Shasta. This unique temple, while lacking a traditional tower or vimana, boasts an exquisite sculpture, depicting  Kandaswamy in a standing posture, holding an Akshara Mala and a Kamandalu (sacred water pot) in his two upper arms, distinct from his usual armed form, without his consorts by his side. This representation of Subramanya as Brahma Shasta is a rare find, with only a handful of temples in existence. Notably, another such temple that showcases this form is the Kumara Kottam temple in Kanchipuram. The grandeur of this temple is accentuated by a 9th-century CE inscription pillar, as well as scattered inscriptions hailing from the era of Aditya Chola I. 

A short stroll from the Kandaswamy temple, beside a lotus pond, awaits the temple of Shaktimutreeswarar, housing a sizable Shiv Linga from the Chola period. Although the temple structure and the images of Nandi and the Goddess have a more modern design, the charm of an ancient Surya image, unearthed during an excavation, graces this sacred space.

Happy travelling.