This 26th Paadal Petra Shivasthalam in thondai naadu located in the serene village of Thiruvadisoolam within the Nanmangalam reserved forest, is surrounded by gentle hillocks. To the left of the temple lies a sannidhi dedicated to Varasiddhi Vinayaka. The southern entrance opens into a spacious outer prakaram where Valampuri Vinayaka is situated directly across from the entrance. As visitors proceed in a clockwise manner around the western and northern prakaram, they will arrive at the eastern side, which features the dwajasthambam and nandi. This eastern area also contains a sannidhi for Brahmaandeshwarar, alongside three trees—Neem, Peepal, and Wood Apple (vilvam) — that have intertwined and grown together. Upon returning to the southern prakaram from the east and completing the circuit, visitors will find the 'sthala vruksham' - another wood apple tree, along with a sannidhi for Subramanya and his consorts, Valli and Deivanai, oriented towards the south. Notably, the snake pit located beneath the 'sthala vruksham' resembles Vinayaka.
An access point from the southern prakaram leads into a mandap characterized by its pillar support which leads to the south-facing sannidhi of the female deity, Govarthanambikai. To the left, is the east-facing sannidhi of the presiding deity Gyanapureeshwarar. The positioning of these sannidhis are in such a way that standing at one point (intersection of L), we can see both the deities. A sannidhi for Vinyaka and Muruga are on either side of the main deity.
A moat-like structure surrounds the sannidhi of the presiding deity and the surrounding inner prakaram houses sannidhis for the primary four nayanmars, Vinayaka, Subramnya with Valli and Deivanai amd for Bhairavar. Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Goddess Durga adorn the walls surrounding the sanctum as 'goshta murtha's. Gyanapureeshwarar is an emerald 'Swayambu Linga' and during the ritual of 'deepa-aradhana', the light reflects on the emerald surface brightening the 'linga Bhana'.
At this temple, Goddess manifested as a cow, and offerred her milk to the Linga, thereby earning the name Gvarthanambigai.
Temple Legend - When Tirugyanasambandar arrived here, he was exhausted and famished from walking a long distance under the scorching sun. Seeking respite, he settled beneath the shade of a tree. A cow-herd soon approached, offering him curd, which revitalized Tirugyanasambandar and restored his energy. The cow-herd inquired about his identity and mission, prompting Tirugyanasambandar to recount his pilgrimage to various Shiva temples. The cow-herd then informed him of a nearby Shiva temple hidden within the forest. Despite his fatigue, Tirugyanasambandar felt grateful for the cow-herd's kindness and chose to follow his guidance to the temple. As they journeyed, they came across a tranquil pond, where the cow-herd unexpectedly smiled and vanished. Filled with awe, Tirugyanasambandar realised it was Shiva himself, who had taken the form of the cow-herd to lead him. In response, Sambandhar composed a pathikam, addressing the deity as 'Idaichura nathar', acknowledging the cow-herd's stop-gap appearance.
Temple entrance
Valampuri Vinayakar
Mahavishnu
Sthala Vruksham - vilvam
Sri Subrahmanya - In eastern prakaram
Subramaniar with Valli and Deivaanai.