Tamilnadu Tourism: Vaaleeswarar Temple, Koovathur, Chengalpattu

Vaaleeswarar Temple, Koovathur, Chengalpattu

Vaaleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Koovathur Village in Cheyyur Taluk in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Vaaleeswarar and Mother is called as Tripura Sundari. This temple is situated on the southern bank of Palar River.

Legends

As per legend, Vali, the elder brother of Sugreeva killed a demon named Mayavi after an intense fight in a cave. Due to the killing, Vali was afflicted with brahmahatya dosha. To get relief from the dosha, Vali worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple. As Vali worshipped Lord Shiva here, Lord Shiva of this temple came to be called as Vaaleeswarar and the theertham came to be called as Vali Theertham.

History

The original temple might have been built by the Pallavas as the Lingam in the sanctum is a Shodasa Lingam of Pallava style. However, the present might have been built along with the Aadhi Kesava Perumal Temple during the Vijayanagara period in 15^th century CE.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. Dwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram. The main shrine consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa and mukha mandapam. Dvarapalas can be seen at the entrance of the ardha mandapam on either side. Presiding deity is called as Vaaleeswarar and is facing east.

He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. The Lingam is a Shodasha Lingam (Lingam with 16 stripes). Vinayaga Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Tripura Sundari. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.

Her shrine is situated in the mukha mandapa on the right side. Shrines of Vinayagar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Bhairavar, Suryan, Chandran and Saneeswarar in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Vaali Theertham. It is situated in front of the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Pavazhamalli.