Vada Theerthanathar Temple, Andanallur, Trichy
Vada
Theerthanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at
Andanallur in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The temple is also called
Thiru Alandurai Mahadevar temple. This small ancient Chola temple is a Thevara
Vaippu Sthalam.
History
This
place has been a holy place and been a temple since the days of Periyapuranam,
as Sekkizhar has written about this temple. However, this was built as a
granite temple by Parantaka Chola (9th C). Later on, Rajaraja I also did
several donations and services for the temple. The Pandya King Vira Pandya has
also done a lot for this temple. The Hoysala king Sri Krishna Veera Vallalar
and also the Nayaka rulers later on have also done a lot for the
temple. The historical name of the village is Andavanallur. As per the
inscriptions, the main deity is named as Alanthurai Mahadevar. Hence, we can
understand that this village was also called as Alanthurai.
The
Temple
This is
a small temple. There is no tower for this east facing temple. Presiding Deity
is called as Vada Teerthanathar / Vada Teertheswarar / Alanthurai
Mahadevar. The east facing sanctum enshrines Shiva Linga called Vada Teerthanathar.
Dhakshinamoorthi, Maha Lingam, Brahma and Durga are found as niche idols. All
of them appear to of later era. Maha Lingam is actually a blunt piece of rock
without any structure.
At the
entrance of the Ardha Mandapam, two big and attractive Dwarapalas are found.
The entrance of Maha Mandapam has the idol of Ganesh. Nandi faces towards the
sanctum in Maha Mandapam. Mother is called as Bala Soundara Nayaki /Bala
Sundari. The south facing shrine enshrines the big idol of
Goddess Soundara Nayaki. She also has Nandi as her Vaahana.
The
sub-shrines of Maha Ganapati, Subramanya, Gaja Lakshmi, Navagraha and Chandikeswarar
are located in the prakara. Chandikeswarar seems to be of original Chola period
idol. Subramanya has six heads and twelve arms; he is found seated on peacock
and has his consorts on his either sides.
The
ancient idols of Bhairava, Surya and Chandra are also found in temple. The
Vimanas of the sanctum and other shrines look attractive. The river Cauvery is
flowing near this temple. Sthala Vriksham is Banyan Tree. All around, at the
Adhishtanam (base / foundation) is the Chola era inscriptions.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 19 Kms from Trichy, 3 Kms from Allur, 1 Km from Tiruchendurai,
10 Kms from Vayalur, 13 Kms from Woraiyur, 15 Kms from Srirangam, 17 Kms from
Thiruvanaikoil and 63 Kms from Karur. The Temple is located on the Trichy-Karur
route between Allur (Jeeyapuram) and Tiruchendurai. The Temple is located at
about 600 meters from Jeeyapuram Bus Stop, 12 Kms from Chatiram Bus Station and
16 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand. Nearest Railway Station is located Jeeyapuram
(1 Km) and Trichy (17 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at Trichy (24 Kms).