Periyandavar Temple, Thirunilai, Kanchipuram
Periyandavar
temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located in Thirunilai Village near
Thirukalukundram in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Though it is more than
300 years old, only recently a temple was constructed with the help and
contribution of many pious people and devotees. The Thirunilai Periyandavar
temple is located by the side of the village lake. The temple is very
attractive and fascinating in the open air and amidst the natural atmosphere.
It is well maintained with the support and the co-operation of village people
and devotees.
Devi
Angalaparameshwari is also blessing along with Periyandavar. She is the goddess
of this temple. The presiding deity is Lord Periyandavar, in Suyambu Lingam.
The very unique feature of this temple is 'Nandi Devar' in 'standing posture'. Suyambu Lingam in the middle of twenty one
Sivaganams in the open ground is a sacred view, which all devotees can notice
here. The Periyandavar is Family Deity for many people. This Temple is
particularly very busy on Sundays.
Legends
Shiva took shelter in Thirunilai:
Once,
Lord Siva incarnated as a Human-being because of Goddess Parvathi Devi's curse.
He was roaming throughout the earth. He could not stay anywhere. He was
wandering everywhere in all directions without any stable mind. As Lord Siva
lost his balanced state of mind because of Sakthi's curse, the whole world sank
in chaos and confusion. The operation and movement of the universe were also
affected. So the universe was out of order. At last, Lord Siva came to a place
where his Soolayudham fell on ground. There Siva took shelter and stayed
permanently. Hence this place is called Thirunilai (place where he settled).
This puranic incident is depicted in the temple. In memory of this incident,
the ancestors of this village built a temple dedicating it to Periyandavar who
is the incarnation of Lord Siva. The villagers say that many Sages stayed here
and worshipped Periyandavar and got his abundant blessings.
Sakthi Soolayudham fell here:
When
Sakthi's Soolayudham fell here, 21 sand rounds came out and later they took the
form of Sivaganas
Sivaganams performed Pooja here:
Sivaganams
perform pooja to Lord Siva at this sthalam
History
Though
the temple is more than 300 years old with only a Swayambu Lingam in the open
ground and recently a temple was constructed dedicating it to Periyandavar, an
incarnation of Lord Shiva. Devi Angalaparameshwari is also blessing along with
Periyandavar.
The
Temple
The
temple is located in a beautiful natural atmosphere by the side of a lake, a
small hill and in the middle of paddy-fields. People can go at any time and can
have the Dharshan. The very unique feature of this temple being the Nandhi is
in a standing posture. Thirunilai Periyandavar Temple is located in a
serene atmosphere in between two tanks in an open court yard facing east. At
the entrance to the temple, Lord Vinayakar is seen on the left side of the
entrance and Lord Muruga on the right side of the entrance.
Lord
Shiva who incarnated as a human being and then stationed at this village
Thirunilai is giving Dharshan to His devotees as Periyandavar in a Swayambu Lingam
form. To the left of the Swayambu Lingam, a stucco image of Lord Parameswaran
can be seen. Goddess Parvathi in the stucco image form as Akilandeswari can be
seen next to Lord Parameswaran.
Angala Parameswari:
Devi Angalaparameshwari
is the goddess of this temple. She is fondly called 'Thirunilai Nayagi' by the
villagers. Goddess with Lord Periyandavar, in sitting posture gives darshan in
the eastern direction. This is a rare Thirukkolam of Angalaparameshwari, which we
cannot see in other temples. She fulfills all the prayers of devotees. She
cures all chronic diseases. She is beautifully decorated during all poojas and festivals.
Especially during Amavasai and Full moon poojas, special Abishekams are
performed to her also, as to, Lord Periyandavar. Special homams are done in all
festivals to Annai.
Other deities:
Dakshinamurthy
is located on the southern side of the temple and Bhairavar is located on the
north side of the temple and he is facing east. The foot prints of Lord Shiva
and Goddess Parvathi is rare sight to be seen in this temple.
Sivaganams:
The rare
sight of 21 Sivaganams in a rectangular format around the Swayambu Lingam can
only be seen at this temple. When Lord Shiva was wandering the earth in human form,
Nandi also took human form and worshipped Shiva at this temple. Nandhi in Human
form can be seen here.
Siddhaamirtha Theertham:
The
temple pond is called 'Siddhaamirtha kulam'. It is a very big pond and is
situated in the northern side of the temple. 'Siddhaamirtha' consists of two
words - "siddha and Amirtha". It cleans all our sins and diseases.
This is the meaning of the word 'Siddhaamirtha', the villagers say. It is
believed that after coming to 'boologam', Lord Siva took a holy dip in this
pond. The villagers took drinking water only from this pond for many years.
Though now people do not use this pond for drinking purpose, it is considered
very sacred and holy
Temple
Opening Time
·
05:00 to
08:00 (All days of the week (Morning))
·
16:30 to
20:30 (All days of the week (Evening))
Festivals
Full
moon Day Pooja, Pradosham and many other festivals related to Shiva are
performed here with full perfection. During full moon (Pournami) and Amavasai,
milk abishekam in 18 pots is performed to Sri Periyandavar and Devi
Angalaparameshwari. During every religious worship, pooja and festival, 'Annadhanam'
is given to all devotees coming to the temple.
Prayers
Lord
Periyandavar and Devi Angalaparameshwari are known for their limitless
blessings to childless couples. They regularly come to this temple and offer
prayers here. Within a short period of time, their wish is fulfilled and they
are blessed with child. So, nowadays, knowing this kindness of Periyandavar,
childless couples visit this temple in large numbers to get their longings
become true.
After
taking a holy dip in the temple pond, Siddhamirdhakulam, they have to perform
poojas and Abishekams in their own hands. Atleast for six weeks they have to
continuously perform poojas in this manner. Afterwards to their surprise and
wonder, they get a miraculous result.
Contact
Periyandavar
Temple
Thirunilai
Village, Oragadam post,
Chengalpet
Taluk.
Near Thirukalukundram,
Kanchipuram
District,
Pincode
– 603 109
Mobile: +91 – 98427 40957
Connectivity
Periyandavar
temple is located at about 8 kms North West of Thirukazhukundram in Chengalpet
Taluk, Kancheepuram district. Also this temple is located at about 14 kms to
the east from Chengalpet and 12 kms to the west from Thiruporur. Direct town
buses - Route Nos. T11 and T75 and also Saraswathi Mini Bus are available to
Thirunilai village from Chengalpet.
References
