Jan 032014
 

Vada Aranyeswarar Temple at Thiruvalangadu is one the Padal Petra Sthalams. This temple is about 60 kms from Kathipara Junction. This place was once a forest of Banyan and hence the name Thiruvalangadu (Thiru + Alam + Kadu). Thiru means holy, Alam is Banyan and Kadu means forest. Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy here. The Lord is facing East and His Consort Vandar Kuzhali Amman is in a separate shrine facing South. The theertham is Mukthi Theertham and the Sthala Vruksham is Alamaram or Banyan tree.

Thiruvalangadu Temple Entrance

Vada Aranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Vada Aranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Vada Aranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Vada Aranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Gopuram. Vada Aranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu

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This is one of the Padal Petra Shalangal. This is also one of the Pancha Sabhais of Lord Shiva. This Rathna Sabai. There are five places where Nataraja, the dancing form of Lord Shiva, has performed his five cosmic dance forms, they are

S.No

Temple

Name of the Sabai

Dance/Nadanam

1

Chidambaram

(Golden hall) Ponnambalam – Kanaka sabha

Anadha Thandavam

2

Madurai

(Silver hall) Velliyambalam – Rajata sabha

Sandhya Thandavam

3

Thiruvalangadu

(Gem hall) Iraththinasabai – Ratna sabha

Oorthuva Thandavam

4

Thirunelveli

(Copper hall) Thamira sabai – Tamira sabha

Gowri Thandavam

5

Thirukutralam

(Picture hall) Chiththira sabai – Chitra sabha

Thiripura Thandavam

Thiruvalangadu is where He performed the Oorthuva Thandavam and this is the Rathna Sabai.

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There are a few legends associated with this temple. One of the legends of Thiruvalangadu is connected with Karaikal Ammaiyar. She attained moksham at the feet of Nataraja here. It is also here that she sang her Mootha Tirupathigam. Karaikkal Ammaiyar is one of the 63 nayanmars.

Karaikkal Ammaiyar was born as Punithavathiar in a Vaisya (Business) family. Her father Danadathan was a successful and prosperous businessman. He was childless and he and his wife prayed to Lord to be blessed with a child. The Lord was happy with their devotion and blessed them with a daughter. They named her Punithavathy. Punithavathy grew up as a very pious child. When she attained marriageable age she was married off to Paramadattan, a wealthy businessman. They were both leading a peaceful and happy married life until one day Paramadattan sent two mangoes to his house. Punithavathy kept them away to serve them to her husband during lunch. Meanwhile, a Siva yogi who was exhausted due to hunger came to their house. As was the custom in those days, Punithavathy did a paadha puja him and offered him the mangoes as alms or bhiksha, since she had nothing else to give him at that time. She gave one to the Siva Yogi and reserved the other for her husband. Punithavathy served Paramadattan the mango. He liked it a lot and asked if he could have the other also. Since she had already given the other mango to the Siva yogi, she prayed to the Lord for help and mysteriously a mango appeared on the palm of her hand, which she served to her husband. When he tasted it he was amazed by its extraordinary taste. He was sure that this was not the mango that he had sent and asked her where she got such a sweet mango. Paramadattan could not believe when Punithavathy told the truth. He thought that she was concocting a story and challenged her to get another mango. She then prayed to the Lord and another mango appeared on her palm, which she handed over to her husband. The mango disappeared immediately. An astonished Paramadattan understood the greatness of his wife and set sail to a far away land on the pretext of going for trade. He returned and settled down in the Pandya Kingdom. He married another woman and lived happily. He even named his daughter Punithavathy after his first wife. When Punithavathy’s relatives came to know about this, they took Punathavathy to her husband. When Paramadattan knew about her impending arrival, he took his wife and daughter to meet her and feel on her feet. He explained the reason why he left her. He said that he saw Punathavathy as a Goddess rather than an ordinary human being. Punithavathy then prayed to the Lord to give her a demoniac form instead of her present one. She was immediately granted the wish. She then went on a Pilgrimage to Kailash. She traveled the last part of the journey on her head since she thought that placing her foot in Mount Kailash was disrespectful to Lord Shiva and a sin. It is also said that wherever she set foot on the ground, a Shiva Lingam would appear. She felt this was disrepectful and hence walked with her hands to Thiruvalangadu. Lord Shiva was highly delighted with Punithavathiyar’s dedication and He conferred the title of “Karaikkal Ammaiyar” on her. He also granted a boon to her. She wished that she should not have any more rebirth and in the event of a rebirth she should always be devoted to the Lord. She also wanted to be at His feet and witness His dance, always singing His praise. Lord Shiva asked her to go to Thiruvalangadu to witness His dance. Accordingly she went to Thiruvalangadu and witnessed His dance and also attained moksham.

Sumban and Nisumban were two demons who lived here were harassing the Devas or Demi Gods. They appealed to Goddess Parvathi to help them. Goddess parvathi created Kali to destroy the demons. When Kali killed the demons, every drop of their blood that fell on the ground would produce another demon. Kali had to drink all the blood of the demons She killed. Since Kali consumed the blood of the demons when she killed them, She became even more furious. Lord Shiva came here to pacify Her. Kali challenged Lord Shiva for a dance competition and said that she would give up the place to the Lord if He won. During the dance, His ear ring fell on the ground. Lord Shiva picked it up with the toes of His left leg and fixed it back in his ear by raising his leg vertically, even while He was still dancing. Kali conceded that she could not dance so marvelously and declared Lord Shiva to be the winner. Lord Shiva declared that He only was equal to Her. He bestowed a boon on Her that all devotees coming to this holy place should first worship Her before worshiping Lord Shiva. This temple dedicated to Badra Kali Amman is just outside the Vada Aranyeswarar Temple.

Badra Kali Amman Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Badra Kali Amman Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Badra Kali Amman Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Badra Kali Amman Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Badra Kali Amman Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Inside Badra Kali Amman Temple, Thiruvalangadu

This is the temple to be worshipped by people under Bharani Nakshathiram regularly. By doing so they would lead a peaceful and happy life. The other temple for people born under Bharani Nakshathiram is Sri Agneeswarar Temple at Thirunalladai, Tamil Nadu. It is even better if they visit these temples on the day of Bharani Nakshathiram.

Across the temple tank is the Thirumulanayaki sametha Muktheeswarar Temple in the Rasi Mandapam which has twelve pillars and the Janma Rasis and Navagraha images can be seen on those pillars. One has to either walk or go by two wheeler to reach this temple. There is a cement track along the periphery of the temple tank and you can comfortably ride by a two wheeler or probably even a three wheeler. It is a bit difficult to go by car. You have to take the mud track adjoining the cement track. I was adventurous and went by car and lucky not to have a flat tyre.

Muktheeswarar temple in the Rasi Mandapam, Thiruvalangadu

Temple in the Rasi Mandapam, Thiruvalangadu

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Worship Benefits

It is said that Mandhi the son of Saneeswaran was in penance and a lizard fell on him and it indicated a bad omen. He asked his father how he could get rid of the dosham. Saneeswaran asked him to pray to Lord Shiva and accordingly he prayed to Lord Shiva. The Lord appeared before him and asked him to do puja for a mandalam (48 days) at Thiruvalangadu. He installed a Lingam here and performed the puja to get rid of the dosham. The information on Mandheeswarar Parihara Puja is given in the image below in Tamil. It is recommed to do the parihara puja on Saturdays since Mandhi is the son of Saneeswaran who is the Lord of Saturdays. You can perform the puja to get rid of the malefic effects of Ashtama Sani, Ardhasthtama Sani and Janma Sani. It also gets rid of the malefic effects of Mandhi present in the wrong place of the person’s horoscope. The parihara puja is also believed to remove marriage obstacles, childless will be blessed with progeny, improvement of financial status and students will do well in their academics.

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It is believed that,

by lighting 1 lamp you would get peace of mind

by lighting 5 lamps you will get the blessing of the Goddess

by lighting 9 lamps you will get rid of your navagraha doshas

by lighting 12 lamps you will get Sakthi Arul

by lighting 27 lamps you will get rid of the Nakshathira Doshas

by lighting 48 lamps will result in improvement in business and get rid of any fear

by lighting 108 lamps your wishes are fulfilled

by lighting 501 lamps hurdles in getting married will be removed

by lighting 1008 lamps childless will be blessed with progeny

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Temple Location

Thiruvalangadu is located about 60 kms from Kathipara Junction, Chennai. It is around 15 Kms from Arakkonam and 18.6 Kms from Tiruvallur.


View Tiruvallur Temples in a larger map

Temple Address

Arulmigu Vandarkuzhali sametha Vadaranyeswarar Koil

Tiruvalangadu – 609 810,

Tiruvallur district.

Temple Timings: 

Viswaroopa Darshan – 6 AM

Kala Sandhi Pooja – 7.30 AM

Uchchikala Pooja – 10.30 AM

Sayaratchai Pooja – 4.30 PM

Ardhajama Pooja – 7.30 PM

Palliyarai Pooja – 8 PM

Temple Timings, Vada Aranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Temple Timings, Vada Aranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu

Temple Phone Number: +91- 4118-272 608.

  18 Responses to “Vada Aranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu”

  1. Thank you so much for your efforts, in narrating the Sthala puranam in simple way with colorful pictures. Highly appreciating your work ! God Bless you.

  2. Sir, The article on the temple is good. More details can be included for Badra Kali Amman Temple like the dance..ugra thandavam that has been mentioned. The dance competition was so fierce and Kali equally competed with Lord Shiva. The raising of the leg in 180 degrees to insert the ear ring was right and being a woman Goddess Kali could not or did not want to perform the same.And then Shiva was pleased and the rest is the same as mentioned in the above article.
    Second about Karaikal Ammayar, it is said that where ever she set foot on the ground there was a siva lingam that sprout out. And she felt bad about this as the siva lingam sprout out where she walked and in the aspiration to attain moksha she tied her saree and walked with her hands to thiruvalangadu where she witnessed the dance and she attained moksha. These can also be included in the article.
    More details on the Mandi Pariharam..which is quiet unusual in Tamil Astrology unless of late, the amount and the timings of the pariharam can be included along with the malefic effects of Mandi in particular place of the horoscope can be included as this is the only place for pariharam for Mandi dosha in TN.. Thank u

  3. Hi ,

    If i reach Arakkonam by local train from Chennai, how can I reach Thiruvalankadu? any transport availability?

  4. Mandeeswara swamy is not In tiruvalangadu .the orgin place was in nambakam near poondi reservoir in Thiruvallur district so please visit the mandeswara swamy

    • But the website says Mandheeswara samy parihara poojai is available in Thiruvelngadu temple, can you please clarify? What is the name of the temple in Nambakam for Mandhheswaran

      Thanks

  5. Thanks for giving vivid narration about the temple and its sthala puranam.

    It would be helpful and great if you give the mantras to chant to appease Maandhi deva.

    Thanks again.

    Muraliekumar
    Coimbatore
    9677188273 / 8015103060

  6. Dear sir,

    What is the fee for mandhi parihara booja.

    Alwar.s
    Tirunelveli
    alwars59@gmail.com

  7. Please provide the Temple Contact Number

    Thanks in Advance.

  8. Thank you so much for sharing valuable information Mr.Narayanan, Details you given was very usefull for me Thank You :).

  9. IN Sanskrit “Vata” means Banyan “Aranyam”means Forest “Eswarar” the presiding diety.The TamilEquivalent is “THIRU AALANKAADU”

  10. please call me to 98946 19671

  11. Sir. We four persons in a family planning to come to Thiruvalengadu from Coimbatore by car. Please inform me the where to stay and lodging details if any. Since the temple direct line number not working, if any body knows please provide mobile number of one of the temple authorities

  12. Dear sir,

    Thanks so much for sharing the details.

  13. The old contact number is not reachable, can anyone provide the latest contact number so we can get more information and reach on time for saturday’s mandhi parihara poojai.

  14. the phone number are nor working , can anyone give us the correct contact numbers please
    Shobha
    bangalore

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