Balakradeswarar Temple, Pazhankovil, Thiruvannamalai
Balakradeswarar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Pazhankovil Village
in Kalasapakkam Taluk in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity
is called as Balakradeswarar and Mother is called as Balambigai. This Temple is considered as one the Saptha Kailaya Sthalams
established and worshipped by Lord Muruga on the southern bank of river Cheyyar.
Legends
Balakradeswarar:
It is said that a King who lost his hand prayed to this
Lord Shiva and got his hand back. Hence, Lord Shiva got his name as
Balakradeeswar since he gives back lost energy to the devotees.
Saptha Karai Kanda Sthalams and Saptha Kailaya Sthalams:
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
The Temple was built by Maduranthaga Uthama Chola (969
AD – 985 AD). Some Panchaloha Idols and Stone Idols has been excavated from the
well during the Kumbabishekam held in 2001. Also, Poondi Mahan initially lived
here and then only relocated to Poondi due to the disturbances caused here.
The
Temple
The Temple is facing east with 5 tiered Rajagopuram. Balipeedam
and Pradosha Nandhi are found after the Rajagopuram facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as
Balakradeswarar. Lingam is Shodasa Lingam. Idols of Gnanasambandhar,
Appar and Siddhi Vinayagar can be found near the sanctum. Dhakshinamoorthy,
Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum
walls. Chandikeswarar is located on his usual position.
There is a 4 pillared Mandapam in the sanctum after the
Artha Mandapam. Huge Dwarapalakas are situated in front of this Mandapam. Mother is called as Balambigai. Mother
is housed in a separate shrine. She is facing east in standing posture. Mother
Shrine is equipped with Antharalayam, six pillared Mandapam, Dwarabalakis fit
for a separate temple.
There are Shrines for Nataraja, Kali, Naalvar,
Vinayagar, Venugopala with his consorts Rukmini and Sathyabama and Lord Murugan
with his consorts Valli and Deivanai in the Temple premises. There is an
ancient well belonged to Chola period in the north-east corner. Inscriptions of
Uthama Chola period can be found in the temple.
Festivals
All Shiva related festivals are celebrated here with
much fanfare.
Contact
Balakradeswarar Temple,
Pazhankovil, Kalasapakkam
Taluk,
Thiruvannamalai District – 606
751
Mobile: +91 90476 15588 /
96556 76224 / 98948 93088
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 6
Kms from Kalasapakkam Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Agaram Sibbandi Railway Station, 9
Kms from Poondi, 8 Kms from Narthampoondi, 15 Kms from Polur, 17 Kms from Kadaladi,
12 Kms from Thamaraipakkam, 17 Kms from Kanji, 32 Kms from Thiruvannamalai, 31
Kms from Thiruvannamalai Railway Station, 174 Kms from Chennai Airport and 182
Kms from Chennai. Buses regularly ply
between Thiruvannamalai and Kalasapakkam. The Temple can be conveniently
reached from Kalasapakkam Bus Stand.