Airavateeswarar Pazhanthandalam

God

Airavateeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Anandavalli, facing south

Other Deities

Selva Vinayakar, Brahmi Amman, Naagar, Kasi Viswanathar, Muruga with consorts, Bhairava, Chandran, Suryan, Veerabadhra, Navagraha. Sanctum Niches – Narthana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Airavateeswarar Pazhanthandalam is an old east facing temple with entrance from the south. A single Prakaram encloses the shrines and the Sanctum Sanctorum. The Sanctum sanctorum is circular and in the form of a Gajaprastham (back of a reclining elephant). The ceiling of the Mantapa before the sanctums have many old carvings of Fishes, Snakes and the eclipse concept of a snake swallowing the moon.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Airavateeswarar Pazhanthandalam is an ancient temple built during the Chola period. Its antiquity is evident from the carvings on the ceiling, main deity and some articles found dumped outside. Historical information is not available as of now.

Legend

Airavata, the white elephant of Lord Indra is believed to have worshiped Shiva at Airavateeswarar Pazhanthandalam.

Directions

Airavateeswarar Pazhanthandalam is about 9 kilometers west of Pallavaram and about 1 kilometer from the famous 108 Divya Desam Temple of Thiruneermalai.

Stay and Food

None locally. Pallavaram and Chennai are the closest for food and stay.