Vilvanatheswarar Temple, Thiruvalam – The Temple
The
temple is facing east with an entrance from south. The First level
Rajagopuram is of 4 tiers and the second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers and
this temple has three corridors (Praharam). The Temple is believed to about
2000 years old and covers an area measuring 5 acres. This temple is on the
Western Bank of the Pennar river, the water of which was once known for its
healing powers. The river is also called Neeva, Shiva said “nee vaa” and the
river sprang forth.
There is
a huge Nandhi sculpture at the entrance of the temple and is said to have been
installed by Siddhar Sivanandha Mouna Guru Swamigal. Nandhi is
facing the entrance of the temple (not facing the Lord). The legend of Nandhi protecting
the village from demon Kanjan is depicted in a sculpture in the temple. Adhikara
Nandhi, Sudhai Nandhi and the Nandhi in the inner prakaram are facing east
along with moolavar.
A small
shrine dedicated to Sage Sanakar, a disciple of Lord Dakshinamurthy, can be
seen between the idol of Nandhi and Lord Shiva. It is believed that meditating
here can relieve devotee from sins of their previous birth. Vishnu, Urchavars,
Chandrasekharar are located in the Arthamandapam. Dharshan of Lord Shiva and
Vishnu can be seen from a particular point in Artha Mandapam.
As Lord
Mahavishnu worshiped Lord Shiva here, his footprint is kept for worship in
front of the flag post. Near the second tower entrance, there is a beautiful
bowl chiseled in the stone – depicting the game “Kolattam” – a game often
played by ladies. A fine image of Perumal also adorns the temple. The
Dwarabalakars are not a regular sculpture. The left side Dwarabalakar is
somewhat, a regular with usual mudra (the index finger – to
threaten). The right side Dwarabalakar is like dancing with a
beautiful smile on his face.
Presiding
Deity is called as Vilvanatheswarar / Vallanathar / Vilvanathar. Moolavar
is Suyambhu Lingam housed in square Peedam and is facing East. Moolavar is
little inclined to north looks majestic. The Natarajar Sabhai is adjacent to
the Maha Nandi. Next to that is Navagraha Sannathi. There is a tub-like
structure on the right of Lord’s shrine filled with water in which Lord
Jalakandeswarar graces in the name of Padala Lingeswara. Pujas are
performed to him praying for rain. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma
and Durgai (Not standing on Mahishasura) are the Koshta Idols surrounding the
sanctum.
Mother
is called as Thanumathyambal / Vallaambikai / Theekkali Ambal. The goddess is
in a separate temple facing east. Sthala Viruksham Vilvam is located opposite
to Ambal Shrine. The corridor of this temple houses the Shiva lingams that are
believed to have been installed and worshipped by Goddess Parvathi (Gauri),
Lord Mahavishnu and Sage Sanakar. She was also called as Theekkali Ambal
with ukram on her face. It was believed that Adhi Sankara had changed the
ukram in to a Shantham. Vinayagar, Annapoorani, Ambal with Abayavaram and
Durgai are the Koshta Idols surrounding Mother Sanctum.
There
are beautiful sculptures for the 27 Nakshatrams (constellation depicting the
birth stars) on one of the tower (Vimaanam) of Saba Mandapam. Also, almost all
the pillars are very nicely decorated with beautiful sculptures and reliefs.
Ambikeswarar Sannathi is located on the left side of Third Prakaram. In
the second praharam, while you go left to right around (Valam) the temple one
can see Uthsava Mandapam, Kasi Viswanathar, Chandramouleeswarar,
Arunachaleswarar, Sadhasivar, Anandhar, Sreekandar, Ambikeswarar,
Vitharaeswarar and Guru Eswarar Lingams.
Also,
there is a separate Sahasra lingam (1008 very small lingams engraved in a big
lingam) in the corridor. Separate shrines Aadhi Vilvanathar and Sundareswarar
with Meenakshi can be found in this Temple. Separate shrine for Lord Murugan
with Valli and Devasena can be found in this Temple. Saint Arunagiriar has sung
in praise of Lord Muruga of the temple in his Thirupugazh. Both granite
and bronze procession idols of the 63 Nayanmars can be seen in the inner
corridor. Yaga salai and Bairavar Sannathi are there in the outer praharam.
Mangani
Vinayakar is located before the entrance of the temple while going out. There
is a story behind this Vinayakar. Lord Vinayaka got the mango fruit from
Lord Shiva this way and is praised as Kani (fruit) Vangiya (getting) Pillayar
(Vinayaka). He is sitting on his mouse vehicle. He came to this
temple with the Mango fruit – the wisdom fruit. The Gowri Theertha Kulam with
Neerazhi mandapam is located on the right side between 1st and
2nd level Rajagopurams.
On the
left side, temple for Rajarajeswari can be seen. At the 2nd
level Rajagopuram, moortham of Valampuri Vinayagar and Aathmalingeswarar are
located on the left side. Immediately after the 2nd level
Rajagopuram Kaala Bairavar Shrine is located on the right side. A copper plate
with inscriptions can be seen on the left side near Sri Ambikeswari
samedha Sri Raja Rajeswarar temple between the two Rajagopurams.
Almost
all the pillars are very nicely decorated with some sculptures. There is a ‘100
pillars Natarajar Mandapam’ here which is extremely quiet. In the left side,
outer praharam, there is an underground passage and no one knows where it leads
to. The temple has highlighted all the inscriptions with white and yellow paint
and made it easy to read. Special pujas are performed to the Swayambulinga in
the Kanjan hill on all full moon days. The event of Lord granting
salvation to Kanjan at the eight places where his limbs fell is celebrated on
the third day of Pongal festival.
Gauri
Theertham and Neeva River are the Theerthams associated with this Temple. Gauri
Theertham is located on the right side of third prakaram Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam.
Sthala Viruksham is located opposite to Ambal Shrine. This Vilwa leaves has
abundance of therapeutic qualities to heal the mental illness, skin diseases
and most importantly it provides the childless couple with a boon of virtuous
offspring. This temple was home to a very old mango tree (almost 1300 years
old) but it fell recently. There is also another old jack fruit tree here.
This is
a huge and beautiful temple, built by the kings of Pallava and Chola dynasties.
There are quite a few references of Rajendra Chola in the stone inscriptions. The
stone inscriptions in this temple reveal that this was an important pilgrimage
centre in the past. We can find references of pilgrims using Thiruvalam as a
resting place before journeying to other pilgrimages in southern states and as
far off places as Banaras (Kasi) in Uttar Pradesh. Most of the inscriptions
found in the temple mainly speaks about the building of mandapams, donations of
land, cattle, etc., and the income form to be used to burn the lamps
and neivedhyam.
Siddhar
Sivanandha Mouna Guru Swamigal’s Jeeva Samadhi can be seen on the left side of
the temple. Also, Saint Sivananda Mauna Guru Swamigal performed penance here
sitting under the jack tree in the temple. There is a mutt for him
near the temple. It is said that he had done a lot of services (Thirupani)
for this temple. It is believed that he was blessed by the lord and he had
cured many diseases by offering sacred ash (Vibhuthi) and Vilva leaves to the
patients. He spent all the donations he received for the improvement and
renovation of this temple. His idol is kept in the front hall (Mandapam) and
devotees regularly perform bhajan and poojas.
