Tiruvallam Vilwanatheswara Temple
Tiruvallam or Tiruvalam, is located near a few well-known towns, such as Ranipettai, Vellore and Katpadi, in the Tamil Nadu state of India. The ancient town has an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva called Vilwanatheswarar. It is considered the 10th among the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams (276 most important temples of Lord Shiva) in the Thondai region.
Highlights:
- Sambandhar has revered the temple in his verses in Devaram.
- Arunagirinathar has sung on Kartikeya of this temple in his Tiruppugal verses.
- God - Vilwanatheswara or Vallanathar
- Goddess - Dhanur Madhyambal or Vallambikai or Villidai Nayaki or Theekkali Amman
- Teerth (Holy water) - Gowri Teerth and Neeva River
- Sthala Vruksha (Holy tree) - Bilva
- Considered as one of the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams
- Believed to be the place of Vandiya Devan, the prime character of the most popular historical novel of Ponniyin Selvan written by Kalki (no historical evidence)
- The temple is vast and is spread across five acres.
- Three Nandi icons in different sizes, but all are facing away from the sanctum.
- Adhikara Nandi faces towards the sanctum instead of Nandi.
Legend:
The divine Mango
Tiruvilaiyadal Puranam, written in Tamil, has an interesting and widespread legend. Although the incident mentioned in the legend logically might have happened in Kailash, the holy abode of Lord Shiva, the local legend claims that this episode occurred in Tiruvallam.
As per the legend, Narad Rishi met Shiva and Parvati and presented a divine mango fruit. He said that it could not be cut into pieces. Shiva, who had two kids, Ganesh and Kartikeya, was clueless about whom to give the fruit. Hence, he announced a competition between the brothers. As per the rule, the one who could circle around the entire world faster would get the divine fruit.
Thanks to his peacock, Kartikeya swiftly started to roam around the world. The poor Ganesha could not move faster due to his fat body. As per the advice of Naradh, he circumambulated his parents. He was declared as the winner, as circling around the first couple of the universe is better than revolving around the world.
Thus, Ganesh got the mango fruit. Hence, in this temple, he is called Kani Vangiya Vinayaka, which means one who got the fruit. As he circumambulated his parents on this site, this site is called Tiruvalam, which means "circumambulation" in Tamil.
Kanchan
In the olden days, there was no teertha nearby. Hence, the priests used to get water for the deity from a place called Kanchanagiri. An Asura, Kanchan by name, did not allow the priests to draw water from this hill. As per Lord Shiva's order, his vaahan Nandi fought with this Asura and killed him. Hence, in this temple, Nandi is always facing east, similar to Lord Shiva, to ensure that there is no danger from the Asura or his people.
Nee Vaa
The temple is situated right on the banks of the river "Ponnai". As Lord Shiva called the river to come near his shrine as "Nee vaa" (which means "you come" in the Tamil language), the river is also called as Niva river.
It is said that this region was originally a Bilva forest. A cow used to go to a particular snake-hole daily and release its milk on top of it. After some time, a Shiv Linga was discovered when the snake hole was cleared.
Like many other shrines of the Goddess, it is believed that the Goddess of this temple was in Ugra (ferocious) form in the beginning. She was called Theekkali Amman in those days. Adhi Shankara pacified her, and she ultimately got this shanta (peaceful) form.
During the golden time of the Cholas, Tiruvallam was more like a buffer region between the Cholas and the Chalukyas. It is believed that it was the capital city of the Banas. Most of the inscriptions that are found in the temple belong to the Chola period, and it is not easy to tell who built the original temple. Some portions of the temple must have been made by the Cholas in the 10th century or later centuries. However, most of the structures, including the sculptures on the pillars found all over the temple, appear to be later works.
It is believed that this town was part of the Bana kingdom. Vandia Devan, who married Kundavai, the sister of the famous Raja Raja Chola I, was considered from this town. He became more popular thanks to his portrayal by the author Kalki in his novel "Ponniyin Selvan". He belonged to the Vanar clan.
During the period of Nandivarma Pallava (8th century CE), the site was called Vanapuram. In the 9th century CE, it was called Paramesvara Theekkal Vallam. The deity was called Tiruttheekkali Perumanadigal in the 9th century CE. During the period of the Cholas in the 10th and 11th centuries CE, the deity was called by various names such as Tiruvallam Mahadeva, Tiruvallamudaiya Nayanar or Tiruvallam Udaiyar.
Inscriptions:
There are more than 20 stone inscriptions in this temple and one inscription on the nearby boulder on the banks of the river. The inscriptions belong to various dynasties such as Vijaya Nandivikramavarman (Ganga King?), Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Adhi Rajendra Chola, Kulotunga Chola I, Kulotunga Chola III, Pandya King Vira Pandya and others.
Saint Sivananda Mouna Swamigal stayed in this temple for many years. People used to meet him to get cured of their illness. He had consecrated the temple with the funds collected from the public.
Temple Layout:
Temple Entrance:
The temple entrance faces the southern direction. The outer tower has four tiers and many colorful and interesting stucco images. There is an inner three-tiered tower too. The temple covers an area of approximately five acres and the complex is surrounded by high walls.
In front of the outer tower, there is a mandpa full of pillars with various sculptures.
Gowri Teerth, the holy temple tank with a mandap in the middle (called Neerazhi mandapam) is located in the area between the two towers.
The shrine of Raja Rajeswari, Shiv Linga and the Samadhi of Mouna Guru Swamigal, with a Linga installed atop, are all located outside the outer tower.
A very beautiful sculpture of Valampuri Vinayaka, Atma Lingeswara and Bhairava are found at the entrance of the second tower.
Vilwanatheswara:
The temple's presiding deity is found in the form of a big and majestic Shiv Linga. He is named Vilwanatheswara. His sanctum faces the east direction. He is a swayambhu (self-manifested) Murti on a square peetha.
In Ardha Mandapa, a sub-shrine is located which is full of beautiful Chola period bronze images such as Bhikshatana, Somaskandar, two pairs of Uma-Chandrashekhar and few later period bronze icons such as Murugan-Valli-Devasena, Ganesh, Pidari Amman, etc.
The stone image of Adi Siva Shankara Narayana Murti (a very long and unique name for Vishnu) is also found in Ardha Mandap.
Another sub-shrine that goes a little underground enshrines Shiv Linga. He is called as Patala Linga.
In Maha Mandapa, there is no Nandi found. Instead, the bowl of Sanak Rishi is located in the place of Nandi. (Please refer to the legend section to learn more about Sanak's connection with this temple).
In Mukha Mandapa, Nandi faces in the same direction as the sanctum. Similarly, a huge white-colored stucco icon of Nandi is found in the outer area near the flagstaff and bali peetha. In front of that, another Nandi (stone image) is located. They also face their backsides towards the sanctum. Thus, all these three Nandis facing the opposite from their usual positions, talk about the legend about Nandi killing the Asura. (Refer the legend section above).
Instead of Nandi, Adikara Nandi (Nandi with the human body and bull's head) is found facing towards the sanctum.
Koshta Murtis:
The beautiful icons of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu with Prayago Chakra, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are found as the niche images. Chandikeshwara is found in his usual location.
Dwarapalas:
The Dwarapalas at the entrance of the Maha Mandapa look gigantic and artistic. The Dwarapala on the true right side of the sanctum has his lower left arm raised above his head and the index finger of his upper right arm raised upwards. The Dwarapala on the left side has his index finger directed toward the presiding deity.
Inner Prakara:
The inner prakara around the sanctum has the idols of Brahmi, Kariya Manicka Perumal, Ganesh and Naga. In addition, the stone and bronze icons of all 63 Nayanmars are arranged in parallel in upper and lowers rows.
As per the Hindu calendar, there are 27 Nakshatras (stars). All these stars in personified forms appear as the stucco images on the vimana of the Nataraj shrine.
Nataraj and Sivakami, in the form of bronze icons, are found in this shrine, located near the Nandi Mandapa.
Mouna Swamigal:
Mouna Swamigal built the big stucco idol of Nandi. His stone idol is found on the true right side of this big Nandi. The mandapa where the Nandi and Swamiji's icons are located stands bigger and has many interesting images on the pillars. Navagrahas are also situated within this mandapa.
Dhanur Madhyambal:
The Goddess Dhanur Madhyambal is found in a separate east-facing shrine with the front-side mandapa. It is situated in the outer prakara of the temple.
Ganesh, Annapoorni, Shakti and Durga are found as the niche images around her sanctum. Vallabha Ganapati and Palani are found at the entrance of the shrine.
Outer Prakara:
The outer prakara of the temple is vast. There are so many sub-shrines in this area.
- Veera Bhadra - both relief and stone images are found
- Nalvar
- Shaneeswara
- Kasi Vishwanatha - small Linga
- Chandra Mouleeswara - a small Linga
- Arunachaleshwara - a big Shiv Linga
- Four Shiv Lingas together - Sada Siva, Ananta, Sri Kanda and Ambikeshwara
- Subramanya-Valli-Devasena
- Sahasra Linga
- Bhairav
- Surya
- Sundareshwara - Meenakshi
- 1300 years old holy tree
In the outer prakara, a big icon of Ganesha is found in a separate sub-shrine. He is named "Kani Vangiya Vinayakar", which means the one who got mango. It is related to the legend of Ganesh getting the divine fruit from his father. (For more details, refer to the "legend" section above.
Adi Vilvanathar:
A small temple-like shrine is located in the outer prakara region. It enshrines Shiv Ling, who is called Adi Vilvanathar. A small Nandi is found facing him. Only Brahma and Durga are found as niche images on the shrine's wall.
A holy Jackfruit tree is found near this shrine.
108 pillared Mandapa:
A small temple-like shrine is located in the outer prakara region. It enshrines Shiv Ling, who is called Adi Vilvanathar. A small Nandi is found facing him. Only Brahma and Durga are found as niche images on the shrine's wall.
A holy Jackfruit tree is found near this shrine.
Happy travelling.
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