Thiruvalithayam

Padal Petra Sthalams, Chennai District

God

Valithaya Nadhar (also Valleeswarar), facing east

Goddess

Jagathambal (also Thayammai), facing south

Other Gods

Outer Prakaram – Navagraha, Niches in the sanctum – Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Durga. Inner Prakaram – Surya, Arunagirinadhar, Somaskanda, Vinayaka, Muruga with Shivalingam, Anjaneya, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Bharadwaja Lingam, Naalvar, Bhairava, Nataraja

Thiruvalithayam is a large east facing temple with a 3 tiered Rajagopurm at the eastern entrance. The temple opens out into a large outer prakaram. The inner prakaram is narrower and the Sanctum is circular and is called Gajaprashtam (reclining elephant). A large temple tank is south of the temple. The walls of the inner Prakaram walls are about 10 feet high. A small entrance tower is present at the southern side of the inner Prakaram. The Lingam is large. The old idol of the goddess was damaged and has been replaced with a newer idol and the old one kept in the side inside the main sanctum. Thiruvalithayam is a very popular temple and filled with people most of the times. The well in the outer prakaram is said to provide sweet water with a good taste.

Holy water (Theertham) – Bharadwaja Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Padhiri (Stereospermum chelonoides), Kondrai (Cassia fistula)

History

Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE) has visited and sung hymns for the Lord here at Thiruvalithayam. saint Arunagirinadhar has sung Thirupugazh hymns for Lord Muruga here. Thiruvalithayam is mentioned in the Arutpa of Ramalinga Swamigal.

Legend

Sage Bharadwaja is believed to have worshiped the lord here in the form of a sparrow called Valiyan. Lord Vinayaka is said to have married the daughters of Brahma, Kamalai and Valli here. Guru is believed to have done penance here to overcome the lure of lust. Vishnu, Hanuman, Sugreeva, Rama, Lava and Kusha are believed to have worshiped the lord here at Thiruvalithayam.

Directions

Thiruvalithayam is off New Avadi road in Padi in the opposite area of TVS campus and after Saravana Stores when you go from the flyover side. Take a left and go through the narrow streets to reach the temple where parking is available.

Stay and Food

Chennai has many hotels and restaurants across all tiers.

Paadal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples