Thirumoolanadar Vallanadu

Thirumoolanadar, Vallanadu

Saivite Temples - Thoothukudi

God

Thirumoolanadar, facing east

Goddess

Aavudai Amman, facing east

Other Deities

Adhikara Nandi, Suryan, Kanni Vinayaka, Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Saraswathi, Navagraham, Chandran, Chokkanadar, Meenakshi

Thirumoolanadar Vallanadu is an east-facing temple with an entrance from the south. The main entrance on the eastern side has been closed. There is a beautiful small temple tank on the east side. A large outer Prakaram runs around the sanctum sanctorum of the main deity and the shrine of the goddess which are separate. Both of them have a Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam and an inner Prakaram for circumambulation. There are Thiruvathirai Mandapam, Vasantha Mandapam and other mandapams here. The Navagrahas are arranged in a circular formation on a lotus-shaped pedestal created by Sadhu Chidambara Swamigal of Vallanadu. The idols of King Vallabha Pandian, and his queen, who built the temple are in the pillars in the mandapam. The rays of the Sun fall on the lord for 3 days during the months of March and September.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Tank

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Thirumoolanadar Vallanadu is said to have been built by Sreemaran Vallabha Pandian in the 16th Century CE (Jatavarman Srivallabha Pandian – Regnal years 1534 – 1543 CE?). Further historical information is not available as of now.

Legend

King Sreemaran Vallabha Pandian who rules these parts was traveling here to see the progress of the water management works he had ordered to be executed. In one of the ponds being excavated a Shiva Lingam surfaced. The area prospered and the people believed that the cause for this was the Shiva Lingam whereas the king believed that it was because of the works he had executed. Once in the same area while he was standing under shade during a heavy downpour he noticed the Lingam slowly dissolving in the rain. He ordered his men to put up a cover of palm leaves, but the wind kept blowing them away. The King then sat down in front of the Lingam and without any thought took his diamond crown and kept it on top of it. The wind and rain stopped. Understanding the power of the Lord he built the temple here at Thirumoolanadar Vallanadu.

Directions

Thirumoolanadar Vallanadu is 15 kilometers east of Tirunelveli and 37 kilometers west of Thoothukudi on the highway connecting the two towns. The temple is on the northern side outside the village. There is a small temple for Sadhu Chidambara Swamigal of Vallanadu a little way to the east of Thirumoolanadar Vallanadu. There is a Perumal temple inside the village before reaching Thirumoolanadar Vallanadu temple.

Stay and Food

None locally. The closest for food and stay is Tirunelveli.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples