Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Valeeswarar Temple, Kuranganilmuttam – The Temple

Valeeswarar Temple, Kuranganilmuttam – The Temple
The temple is situated on the southern bank of Palaru River. The temple is located in a beautiful place surrounded by fields. This is a west facing temple with two corridors and no main tower (Rajagopuram). The temple is constructed on the rocky surface. The temple's sanctum sanctorum is quite small, facing west, with an entrance from the south. Devotees enter through an iron gate, onto a wide campus. Lord Valeeswarar graces in the form of Swayambulinga facing west. The rays of Sun fall at his feet on certain days in the month of Chithirai (April-May).







The Temple Tank was in the shape of a new moon in the semicircle form surrounding the temple on three sides while the Lord is seated on a rock on the plain side. The Temple Tanks are called as Kakkaimadu Theertham and Vayasaidmadu Theertham. (Kakkai in Tamil and Vayasam in Sanskrit means crow).The Ambal sannadhi is at front facing south, originally Ambal sannadhi was outside and latter shifted to the present place. Lord Mahavishnu is located behind the sanctum sanctorum with his discus.







Shrines of Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Durga, Brahma, Vinayaga, Shubramanya with consorts Valli and Devayani, Chandeeswarar, Dhakshinamurthy, Surya, Chandra, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Nalvars, Sapthamadhas and Nagadevadha are located on the corridor – Prakara. Sthala Vriksham is Elanndi located in the outer Prakaram. Separate idols for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sekkizhar are also present. 







Beautiful stone engravings depicting these animals (Monkey, Squirrel and Crow) worshipping the lord can be seen at the entrance wall of the temple. The temple has Vijayanagara period Tamil inscriptions about Krishna Devarayar grant of donating the Pallavapuram village for the Pooja expenses of this Temple. The last Consecration ceremony (Mahakumbabishegam) was held on 04.02.1985.