Vaikalnathar temple, TiruVaikalmadakovil

Location: Tiru Vaikal

Deity known as: Vaikalnathar, Shenbaka Aranyeswarar

Female Deity: Vaikal Nayaki, Kombialkothai

Pathikam: Sambandar - 1

Gallery - TiruVaikal Maadakoil

Temple Entrance

Temple View

Prakaram

How to Reach

This Shiva temple is located 12 km from Kumbakonam.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Vaikalnathar Temple
Vaikal Madakovil
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur district
Tamil Nadu

Temple Hours

Morning: 6:00 - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 - 7:00 PM

Travel Note

The temple is located in a village. When planning a temple trip around Kumbakonam, this temple can be combined with visits to Tirunallam, Tiruneelakudi, and Tirukozhambam, as all these temples lie along the same route. However, due to its interior location, it is advisable to visit during daylight hours. Since there are no bus or auto facilities available nearby, arranging a private vehicle is recommended. The temple caretaker lives close to the premises and usually opens the shrine for visitors even if it is closed at the time of arrival. Nevertheless, it is best to contact in advance and plan your visit accordingly.

Near by temples

1	Tiru-Nageswaram - 12 kms
2	Tiru-Vidaimarudur - 12 kms
3	Aduthurai - 9 kms
4	Tiru-Neelakudi - 5.4 kms
5	Tiru-Nallam - 6 kms
6	Tiru-Kozhambam - 5.2 kms

Significance of Vaikal Village

In the small village of Vaikal, there are three Shiva temples:

The Viswanathar Temple in the southern part of the village.
The Brahmapureeswarar Temple.
The Vaikalnathar Temple - A Maadakkoil, one of the elevated temples glorified in the Thevaram hymns.

Among these three temples – Viswanathar, Brahmapureeswarar, and Vaikalnathar – which are revered like the three eyes of Shiva, the Vaikalnathar Temple located to the west of the village holds the special distinction of being a Paadal Petra Sthalam (a temple praised in the Tevaram hymns).

Kochengat Chozhan's Maadakkoil

King Kochengat Chozhan, in his previous birth as a spider, built a web canopy and worshipped God Shiva at Thiruvanaikka. Blessed by the Deity, he was born again as the mighty emperor of the Chola kingdom.

Since an elephant caused disturbance to the worship he performed as a spider in his previous birth, he built temples in such a way that elephants could not enter them – these are the elevated structures known as Maadakkoils. The temple at this site is one such Maadakkoil built by Kochengat Chozhan.

Puranic History

In ancient times, when Bhoomadevi wished to marry Maha Vishnu, she prayed to Him with deep devotion. Pleased with her earnest worship, Maha Vishnu accepted her and took Bhoomadevi as His consort. Goddess Lakshmi, upset by this, came to this sacred place – then a dense forest of Shenbaka trees – and undertook intense penance, worshipping Shiva.

In search of Goddess Lakshmi, Maha Vishnu and Bhoomadevi also came to this very spot and offered their prayers to Shiva. Brahma, who was looking for Maha Vishnu, too arrived here and joined the worship of the deity at Vaikal.

Moved by their devotion, Shiva reunited Maha Vishnu with Goddess Lakshmi and also blessed Brahma. This divine sequence of events forms the Puranic history that links and highlights the significance of all three temples in this sacred village.

Significance of Worship

This temple, sung in the sacred Tevaram hymns, along with the other two temples in this village, is revered for having been worshipped by MahaVishnu, Brahma, Goddess Lakshmi, Indra, and other celestial beings, as well as sages such as Agastya.

Temple Structure

Gopuram and Entrances

This temple does not have a Rajagopuram. There is only one entrance on the eastern side. From the southern outer prakaram, steps lead up to the front platform of the Maadakkoil.

Nandi Mandapam

On the front platform stands the Nandi Mandapam, with Nandi facing the sanctum of Lord Shiva.

Garbhagriham and Sanctums

Inside the elevated Maadakkoil, the presiding deiy Vaikal Nathar appears in the east-facing sanctum. To the right of this elevated structure is the sannidhi of the Goddess, Kombiyal Kodhai.

Other Sannidhis

Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai
Maha Vishnu with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi
Saneeswarar – in a separate sannidhi
Vinayaka
Dakshinamurthy

Connection with Sambandhar

Sambandhar's hymn on the deity of this temple appears in the 3rd Thirumurai.

Sambandhar's Tevaram Hymn

In the 4th verse of his hymn, Sambandhar specifically mentions that this temple was built by Kochengat Chozhan, refers to the Goddess as Kombiyal Kodhai, and describes the temple as being located to the west of the village of Vaikal.

He further glorifies this place in the 10th verse of the same hymn, stating that this temple is comparable to Mount Kailash in the north, the divine abode of God Shiva.