Singeeswarar Avalur

Singeeswarar, Avalur

Saivite Temples, Kancheepuram Taluk

God

Singeeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Kamakshi, facing south

Other Deities

Vishnu Durgai, Navagraha, Krishna, Sastha. Sanctum niches – Narthana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Singeeswarar Avalur is a small east facing temple with no compound wall. The Sanctum sanctorum is entered through a door in the south which faces the Goddess. The Shiva Lingam is small in size. The Mantapam inside has ancient pillars with nice carvings. Of particular interest is a carving in one of the pillars of the Vaishnavite Symbol of Naamam indicating the harmony that existed in those days too. Vishnu Durga is in a separate shrine behind the Sanctum Sanctorum. The images of Krishna with Gopis, Sastha and Vinayaka are found carved in one stone. The great saint of Kanchi, Mahaperiyava, has stayed here for 10 days, bathed in Palaar and worshiped the Lord everyday. Through his vision he has mentioned the presence of a Bhairava idol in buried state. Adjacent and north facing is a temple for Valli Amman. The specialty of this temple is that the goddess is present in the Sanctum unusually along with Vinayaka on her right and Valanthangi Amman on her left. The temple is located nicely in the shade of a Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Peepul (Ficus relegiosa) and Iluppai (Madhuca longifolia) trees. An old temple for Kalyana Varadaraja Perumal with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi is also present in the opposite side.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Paalar River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Singeeswarar Avalur is estimated to be more than 800 years. The symbol of the Pandyas – Fish is seen carved here. One of the pillars in the Mantapa inside has some stone inscriptions, the details of which are not available as of now.

Legend

Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva, expressed his desire to see the Ananda Thandava dance of Lord Shiva in Mount Kailash which he had missed. The lord advised him to come here to Avalur, worship and await the right time for his desire to be fulfilled. Eventually the Lord granted his desire at Singeeswarar Avalur. This village is considered to be that of the goddess and hence the name Aval (feminine gender) Oor (place). This temple is considered important for people of the Moola Star to worship. Fear and hurdles for marriages are believed to vanish by worshiping here. Once when a flooded Paalar River was threatening the village the people prayed to Valli Amman of the adjoining temple and the water stopped at the steps of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Directions

Singeeswarar Avalur is about 3.5 kilometers from Walajabad. Cross the Paalar River at Walajabad, take a right and drive straight for about 2 kilometers to reach Singeeswarar Avalur which is to your right.

Stay and Food

None locally. Walajabad and Kancheepuram are the nearest places for food.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples