Thiruvalangadu

Karaikkal Ammayar a devotee of Shiva is said to have walked on her hands to this temple at Thiruvalangadu due to failing health of her legs. Out of respect to this great feat, Thirugnanasambandar refused to tread the same path on his legs and stayed outside, prayed and sung hymns to the lord. Thevaram Hymns have been rendered by Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar (7th – 8th Century CE). Pattinathaar, Arunagirinathar, Kachiappa Sivachariar and Paamban Swamigal have sung hymns on this Lord.

As per the request of the saints Munjikesa and Karkoda the Lord, in order to subdue Badrakali, is said to have competed in dance with her here at Thiruvalangadu. The two danced like thunder and lightning. Kali matched Shiva, step for step. He then let fall his left ear ring to the ground and in a flourish, picked it up with his toe, tossed it high in the air, and eventually restored it to his ear. With that single breath-taking movement, when the kinetics of dance reached an ultimate crescendo, Kali was humbled, for she could not match it. This dance (Oorthuvathandavam) scene is well immortalized also in the two 20 feet statues in the Madurai Meenakshi Temple opposite the sanctum sanctorum’s outer prakara.

Thiruvalangadu is 16kms from Thiruvallur off the Arakonam Road. Public transport is available. Thiruvalangadu Railway station is also connected well with Chennai by the Arakonam suburban trains. Another temple nearby with a thrilling tale is worth visiting too.

None available near the Thiruvalangadu temple except tea shops. Thiruvalur and Arakonam are the best choices for food.