Pitchandeeswarar Arani

Saivite Temples, Thiruvallur District

God

Sampangi Pitchandeeswarar,
facing east,
Swayambu lingam

Goddess

Sivagamivalli, facing south

Other Deities

Sree Bhairava, Ganesa, Veerabadra, Dakshinamurthi, Vinayaka, Kalatheeswara, Ayyappa, Arumuga with consorts, Kailasanadar, Vishnu, Brahmma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Nataraja, Annamalaiyar, Navagrahas

Pitchandeeswarar Arani Temple is believed to be more than 500 years old. Pitchandeeswarar Arani is an east Facing temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram situated on about 3 acres of land. The temple has a large outer Prakaram and a smaller inner Prakaram. A Kalyana Mantapam is seen on the right as you enter the temple. The inner prakaram has beautifully carved pillars. A rare pedestal with the goddess’s feet is present here. The Arani river runs just behind the temple.

Pitchandeeswarar Arani is one of the Panchanatha (Five faces of Lord Shiva) Ksethrams representing the Vamadeva face of Lord Shiva. The others are Vaaleeswarar (Isaanam) in Ramagiri, Pallikondeeswarar (Thathpurusham) in Suruttuppalli, Varamoortheeswarar (Sathyojaatham) in Ariyathurai and Chinthaamaneeswarar (Agoram) in Karungaali.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Brahmaranya (Aarani) River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Sampangi (Polianthes tuberosa)

History

Pitchandeeswarar Arani is an ancient temple believed to go back at least a thousand years. The style of the architecture, the detailing in the carvings and sculptures certainly confirm the antiquity of this temple.

Legend

Once a man found his cow shedding milk in a clump of bush regularly. Hecut down the bush with an axe to find out the reason and discovered a beautiful Lingam with the bleeding cut on top. he immediately regretted his act and cut off his own hand. The lord is then believed to have answered the prayers of the wife of the man and restored his hand. The place was once covered with Sampangi trees and since the lord gave (biksha) the man’s hand his name here Sampangi Pitchaleeswarar.

Directions

In the Chennai-Kolkatta highway after crossing the Thachur cross road reach Puduvayal before Kavaraipettai take a left to Periyapalayam. Arani is in this road and the temple is on the main road itself. Combine the temples in the area as there are some very ancient and excellent temples

Stay and Food

There are some very small restaurants which are best avoided. One or two good restaurants are available in Periyapalayam. There are wonderful shady trees if you are carrying a picnic basket.

Saivite Temples