Thirukallil

Padal Petra Sthalam, Thiruvallur District

God

Sivanandeswarar,
Thirukalleeswarar, facing east,
suyambu lingam (self occurring)

Goddess

Anandavalli, facing east

Other Deities

Sundara Vinayagar, Kalatheeswarar, Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahmma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Balasubramaniar, Sakthi Dakshinamurthy, Anjaneya, Nalvar, Somaskandar. Sakthi Dakshinamurthy (Dakshinamurthy with consort) is special here.

Tirukallil also called Tirukandalam, is a delightful and peaceful temple where you can spend a few hours happily and in blissful meditation. A 99 year old priest has been officiating in this lovely temple for the past 86 years as on 2010. Tirukallil is an east facing temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and temple tank in the front. The sanctorum sanctorum of the lord is a Gajaprashtam style construction. The shrines are located in the formation of Somaskanda (with Muruga shrine in between the Shiva and Parvathy shrines, all east facing).

Holy water (Theertham) – Sivananda Theertham, Nandi Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Kalli (Euphorbia tirucalli)

Vimaanam – Gajaprashtam

History

Tirugnanasambandar (7th century CE) has rendered hymns here at Thirukallil in praise of the lord making this temple a Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Legend

Indra is believed to have prayed here at Thirukallil. Chandarn’s sins have been cleansed here. Nandi is believed to have worshiped here. The Shivalinga was in the midst of Kalli trees and so the name of the place is Thirukallil and the Lord is called Thirukalleeswarar. Sage Bhrigu is said to have worshiped Shiva here at Thirukallil with 1000 Kalli flowers and Shiva appeared before him in the form of Sakthi Dhakshinamurthy.

Directions

In the Chennai to Periyapalayam road, after entering the road from the Kolkatta highway, reach a bazaar at Kannigaiperur and take a left, drive for about 3 kilometers to reach Thirukallil. Keep left at all road forks as the right fork will take you away to Vengal.

Stay and Food

None locally, but if you carry your own food you can sit and eat in the temple and even on the shady road sides.

Padal Petra Sthalams