Thiruvalangadu
Padal Petra Sthalam - Thiruvallur District
God
Devar Singaperuman (suyambu lingam) facing east.
Other names – Vada Aranyeswarar, Aalankattu Appar
Goddess
Vandarkuzhali facing south. Other name Pramalgambal
Other Deities
to be updated
Thiruvalangadu is an east facing temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. This is the Rathina Sabhai temple, where Lord Shiva is believed to have performed the cosmic dance. Other such ‘Sabhai’ temples are – Porchabhai: Chidambaram, Vellichabhai: Madurai, Thamirasabhai: Thirunelveli, Chithirasabhai: Kutralam.
Thiruvalangadu is a large temple with 3 Prakarams. There is a large temple tank behind the temple adjoining which on the north is a Kaali temple and on the west another small Shiva temple.
Holy water (Theertham) – Chendradu Theertham, Mukthi Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Jackfruit (Artocarpus sps), Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis)
History
Karaikkal Ammayar a devotee of Shiva is said to have walked on her hands to this temple at Thiruvalangadu due to failing health of her legs. Out of respect to this great feat, Thirugnanasambandar refused to tread the same path on his legs and stayed outside, prayed and sung hymns to the lord. Thevaram Hymns have been rendered by Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar (7th – 8th Century CE). Pattinathaar, Arunagirinathar, Kachiappa Sivachariar and Paamban Swamigal have sung hymns on this Lord.
Legend
As per the request of the saints Munjikesa and Karkoda the Lord, in order to subdue Badrakali, is said to have competed in dance with her here at Thiruvalangadu. The two danced like thunder and lightning. Kali matched Shiva, step for step. He then let fall his left ear ring to the ground and in a flourish, picked it up with his toe, tossed it high in the air, and eventually restored it to his ear. With that single breath-taking movement, when the kinetics of dance reached an ultimate crescendo, Kali was humbled, for she could not match it. This dance (Oorthuvathandavam) scene is well immortalized also in the two 20 feet statues in the Madurai Meenakshi Temple opposite the sanctum sanctorum’s outer prakara.
Directions
Thiruvalangadu is 16kms from Thiruvallur off the Arakonam Road. Public transport is available. Thiruvalangadu Railway station is also connected well with Chennai by the Arakonam suburban trains. Another temple nearby with a thrilling tale is worth visiting too.
Stay and Food
None available near the Thiruvalangadu temple except tea shops. Thiruvalur and Arakonam are the best choices for food.
