Valeeswarar temple, Kuranganil Muttam
Location: Kuranganil Muttam
Deity known as: Valeeswarar
Female Deity: Valayeswari, Irayaar Valayammai
Pathikam: Sambandar - 1
Gallery - Valeeswarar Temple
How to Reach
This sacred Shiva Temple is located 10 km south of Kancheepuram, on the banks of the Paalaru River. Travel along the Kancheepuram – Vandavasi route and cross the Paalaru river bridge to reach Thoosi village. From Thoosi, a branch road leads directly to the temple.
Temple Address
Kuranganilmuttam Village
Via Mamandur
Doosi Post
Seyyaaru Taluk
Tiruvannamalai District
PIN 631702
Contact
Sridhar Kurukkal
Mobile: 9629050143
Mobile: 9600787419
Visitors are advised to contact the temple in advance to inquire about the temple timings.
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Tiru-MAkaral - 14 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Vothur - 27 kms | |
| 3 | Tiru-Panankadu - 12 kms |
Temple History and Name Origin
Kuranganilmuttam derives its name from the conjoining of three words — Kurangu (monkey), Anil (squirrel), and Muttam (crow). This name commemorates the worship of the presiding Deity by Vali, Indra, and Yama, who, having been cursed, took these animal forms and prayed here to attain redemption from their respective curses.
Sculpture
A relief sculpture depicting all three deities engaged in worship is prominently displayed at the temple entrance, symbolically highlighting their association with this site.
Temple Deities
The presiding Deity, Sri Valeeswarar, is enshrined as a small Lingam in a west-facing sanctum, while Goddess Erayaar Valayammai is housed in a south-facing sanctum.
Sacred Tree and Water Body
The Sthala Vruksham of this sacred temple is the Ilandhai (Indian Apple). The nearby sacred water body, known as Kaakkai Madu, is believed to have been formed when Yama, assuming the form of a crow, pierced the earth with his beak in order to perform Shiva Puja at this site.
Temple Architecture and Layout
This Shiva temple has a single entrance that opens into an outer prakaram. A Balipeetam and Nandi are located within the prakaram, directly aligned with the entrance gateway. An inner gateway leads to the west-facing sanctum of the presiding Deity, Sri Valeeshwarar, who is worshipped here as a Swayambhu Lingam.
Inner Prakaram Sannidhis
The inner prakaram houses sannidhis dedicated to:
- Vinayaka
- Subramanya
- Kasi Viswanathar
- Bhairava
- Navagrahas
- Goddess Durga
- Saptha Mathas
- Nalvar - The four Nayanmars (Appar, Tirugyanasambandhar, Sundarar, Manikkavasakar)
Celestial Phenomenon
Another notable feature of this temple is that, on specific days during the Tamil month of Chitrai, the sun’s rays fall directly upon the presiding Deity, highlighting the temple’s architectural and spiritual significance.
Temple Significance
Half a kilometer to the north is a cave temple that dates to King Mahendra Varma of Pallava Dynasty.
Pathikam Reference
The Pathikam composed by Tirugyanasambandhar is in first Tirumurai.
Gallery - Valeeswarar Temple
