Avalivalnallur

Avalivalnallur

Padal Petra Sthalams

God

Saatchinadar, facing east

Goddess

Soundaranayagi (also Soundaravalli), facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Nalvar, Paravaiyar, Sage Kanva, Veerabadhra, Sapthakanniyar, 63 Nayanmars, Somaskandar, Nataraja, Sivakamavalli, Mahalakshmi, Kumaralingam, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Thapas Ambal, Navagraha, Kalabairavar, Surya, Agastya, Dalshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Avalivalnallur is a small east facing temple. The place is also called as Pullaranyam, Saatchinadapuram and Padhirivanam. Behind the Shiva Lingam is the image of the Lord and consort on the Bull mount. There is a Holy Pond opposite the temple. The Padiri tree here flowers and gives fruit, but does not yield seeds. The flowers of Padiri has medicinal properties to alleviate skin diseases.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Chandra Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Paadhiri (Stereospermum chelonoides)

History

There are 4 stone inscriptions from the Chola Era here out of which 2 are damaged. Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram hymns here.

Mythology

A devotee of this temple’s lord had 2 daughters, Suseela and Visalakshi. The eldest one Suseela, was married to Vishnu Sharma, son of a poet Kasipa at the court of the Chola King in Pazhayarai. Her husband went on a trip to Kasi. Upon return he found her to have lost her beauty, sight and badly afflicted with the marks of chicken pox. He claimed that this was not his wife whereas the younger one was. Lord Shiva is said to have appeared and given witness and verdict and said Aval (She) Ival (is this one) and hence the name of the temple. The girl is said to have bathed in the Theertham here and regained her original beauty and sight.

Sage Agastya is also believed to have worshiped here.

Directions

Avalivalnallur is located about 15 Kilometers north west of Needamangalam. You can reach from Needamangalam, or from Kumbakonam via Patteeswaram. Check our map below for exact location.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food is Needamangalam. Stay would be Kumbakonam, but depending on your route and plan there are other options.

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