Vallanadhar Thiruvallam
Padal Petra Sthalam - Vellore District
God
Vallanadar, facing east. Other names – Vilvanadeswarar
Goddess
Vallambigai, facing east in a separate shrine. Other names – Dhanumathyambal
Other Deities
Main deity Sanctum Niches – Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeshwara.
Goddess Sanctum Niches – Vinayaka, Annapoorani, Ambal, Durga, Chandikeswara
Outer Prakaram – Ambikeswarar with Rajeshwari. Inner Prakaram – Kasiviswanathar, Chandramouleeswarar, Arunachaleswarar, Sadasivar, Anandar, Sreekandar, Ambikeswarar, Sahasralingam, Muruga with consorts, Arunagirinathar, Guru Eashwara, Vishnu Eashwara, Vidada Eashwara, Aadhivilvanadeeswarar, Sundareswarar, Meenakshi, Bhairava, Surya, Adhikara Nandi, Brahmi, 63 Nayanmars, Sankaranarayana, Padaleswarar, Nataraja, Aghora Veerabadhra, Naalvar, Saneeswara, Navagraha
Vallanadhar Thiruvallam is a large, beautiful and cleanly maintained temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram in the east. As you approach the temple from across the bridge the gopuram surrounded by trees presents a beautiful picture.The temple campus itself is filled with palms and other trees. The inner Prakaram is entered through a 3 tiered Gopuram. The Nandi faces east here and not the main deity as usual. Padaleswarar is installed in a depression along with Ganesha and Nandi. The temple deity was the family deity of Vallavarayan Vanthia Thevan (Hero of Ponniyin Selvan novel). Since this place was filled with Vilwam trees it used to be called Vilwaranyam and Vilwavanam.
Holy water (Theertham) – Gowri Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilvam (Aegle marmelos)
History
Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE) has rendered thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Vallanadhar Thiruvallam. The outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum has many stone inscriptions. The name of Vallanadhar Thiruvallam is said to be mentioned as ‘Theekkali Vallam’ in one of the inscriptions. Arunagirinathar (15th Century CE) has rendered Thirupugazh Hymns for Lord Muruga here at Vallanadhar Thiruvallam.
Legend
Ganesha is believed to have famously circumambulated the Lord here at Vallanadhar Thiruvallam to claim the mango fruit. An Asura called Kanjan who lived in a nearby hill stopped the transport of Holy Water from to the Vallanadhar Thiruvallam temple. The lord deputed Nandi to handle the situation and the Asura was killed, his body parts falling in about 6 spots around here. These places exist today as villages all within a 3 kilometer radius. For further protection the Nandi took an east facing position keeping an eye on this hill.
It is believed that goddess here at Vallanadhar Thiruvallam was known as Theekkali Ambal in an Ugra (angry) form and Adishankara pacified her to take a peaceful form.
Directions
Vallanadhar Thiruvallam is on the Chennai – Bangalore old road just after crossing the Ponnai River bridge. There is also a Railway station here which comes on the Arkonam – Katpadi section.
Stay and Food
None locally except tea shops.
