Balakradheswarar Pazhankovil

Balakradheswarar, Pazhankovil

Saivite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Balakradheswarar, facing east

Goddess

Balambikai, facing east

Other Deities

Kaali, Sidhdhi Vinayaka, Balamurugan, Muruga with consorts, Bhairava, Ramalingajothi, Surya, Naalvar, Krishna with Radha and Rukmani, Navagraha. Sanctum Niches – Narthana Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara.

Balakradheswarar Pazhankovil is a small east facing temple situated beautifully on the north bank of the Cheyyar River. The entrance is through a 5 tiered Rajagopuram. A single Prakaram houses all the shrines and the sanctum sanctorum. This is one of the Saptha (seven) Kailasha temples of Lord Shiva in the southern banks of Cheyyar River. The others are Shiva temples at Damaraipakkam, Vasudevampattu, Thenpallipattu, Karaipoondi, Narthampoondi and Mandakulathur. Some of the names have been changed over time from the original Kailasanadar, as is the case in this temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Cheyyar River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Balakradheswarar Pazhankovil is an ancient temple. Some inscriptions are seen around the base of the sanctum sanctorum, the details of which are not fully available as of now. Uthama Chola (969 – 985 CE) is mentioned to have built this temple.

Legend

Balakradheswarar Pazhankovil received its name from the legend of a King who had lost his hand getting it back after praying here. Lord Muruga is believed to have built the Saptha Kailasha temples in the southern banks of Cheyyar River to counter the sin of killing seven Sages (Puthirandan, Puruhudan, Pandurangan, Bodhavan, Bodhan, Koman and Vaman) performing penance in the hills in the region with his spear (Vel). Kailasanadar Narthampoondi is said to be the fifth in this series. This event happened in a quest to create a Theertham for his Mother Parvati to perform ablutions for the Shiva Lingam she created out of earth at Vazhapandal. Another version is that to counter the sin of killing the asura Surapadman, Lord Muruga was advised by his mother to throw his spear and install and worship a shiva lingam where it lands. According to the same legend Muruga is also believed to have created seven temples in the northern banks of the river which are called Saptha Kandams, with Lord Shiva as Karikandeswarar.

Directions

Balakradheswarar Pazhankovil is about 15 kilometers northeast of Kadaladi. Enter Elathur, cross the Karaikandeswarar Temple and Cheyyar River and drive on to reach the Balakradheswarar Pazhankovil temple. There is another road which takes off right after Elathur to Poondi. You have to cross Cheyyar through a road on the bed of the river and reach Balakradheswarar Pazhankovil. The temple is visible from a distance.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Kalasapakkam or Polur. There is a small mess at Kadaladi Bazaar where you can get simple decent food.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples