Vilvanatheswarar temple, Tiruvallam

Location: Tiruvallam - in North Arcot District

Deity known as: Vilva Naatheswarar, Vallanathar

Female Deity: Dhanu Madyaambal, Vallaambikai

Pathikam: Sambandar - 1

Gallery - Vilvanatheswarar Temple

Entrance

Gopuram

View

How to Reach

This Shiva Temple is located about 120 kilometers from Chennai. The nearest railway station is Tiruvalam, situated on the Chennai–Katpadi Junction route operated by the Southern Railway. The temple lies approximately 2 kilometers from Tiruvalam railway station and about 10 kilometers from Ranipettai, along the Chennai–Chittoor–Bangalore Highway. Regular bus services are available from Arcot, Walajah, and Ranipettai to Tiruvallam, providing convenient access to the temple.

Temple Address

Arulmighu Vilva Naatheswarar Temple
Tiruvallam
Tiruvallam Post
Via Ranipettai
Katpadi Taluk
Vellore District
PIN 631515

Temple Hours

Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Nearby Temples

1	TiruMarperu - 50 kms

Temple Layout

Temple Complex and Niva River

The Tiruvalam temple, situated along the banks of the Niva River, extends over an area of five acres and features a prominent entrance that leads to a mandap, followed by a south-facing, four-tiered Raja Gopuram. According to legend, the river altered its course at the behest of God Shiva, who addressed it as “Neeva”, meaning “you come” in Tamil; over time, this name gradually evolved into “Niva.” Historically, the waters of this river were used for the anointing (abhishekam) of the presiding deity, underscoring its sacred significance.

Inner Sanctums and Sannidhis

Upon entering through the Rajagopuram, visitors encounter Gauri Theertham on the right, within which lies an island-like enclosure known as Neerazhi Madapam. A gateway crowned with another three-tiered gopuram leads into the inner prakaram, where the Utsava (Urchava) idols are housed. This enclosure also contains smaller-sized sannidhis dedicated to Kasi Vishwanathar and Chandra Mouleeshwarar, in contrast to the larger-sized sannidhi of the Arunachaleshwara Linga, which occupies a more prominent position.

In addition, there are several small-sized Lingas named SadaShiva, Ananthar, Sreekantar, and Ambikeshwarar, with the Sahasra Linga located nearby. Arumukha (Murugan) is depicted along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, accompanied by the Nāga Devatā. An idol of the revered saint-poet Arunagirinathar is also present, positioned in one corner of the prakaram.

Additional Shrines

Adjacent to the sannidhi of Arumukha are three additional Lingas known as Guru Eeshwarar, Vishnu Eeshwarar, and Vidhatha Eeshwarar. Opposite the sannidhi of the presiding deity, Aadi Vilva Natheshwarar, stands an ancient jackfruit tree, adding to the sacred and historical ambience of the temple.

The Four Nandis - A Unique Feature

A distinctive feature of this temple is the presence of four Nandis. In keeping with traditional temple architecture, one Nandi is positioned in alignment with the balipeetam and dwajasthambam on the eastern side of the outer prakaram. Another Nandi, known as “Adikara Nandi,” is located in direct alignment with the first Nandi.

The third Nandi is located within the Artha Maṇḍapam, while the fourth Nandi, which is notably larger in size and was erected by Tiruvalam Mouna Swamigal, is centrally positioned among the others. The Adhikara Nandi faces westward toward the presiding deity, whereas the other three Nandis are oriented eastward, away from the deity. Owing to its considerable dimensions, the fourth Nandi obstructs the direct view of the presiding deity from certain vantage points.

Main Deity - VilvaNatheshwarar

Swayambhu Linga

The presiding deity, Vilva Natheshwarar, is enshrined as a Swayambhu Linga, set upon a square Avudayar within an east-facing sanctum. This sanctum is distinguished by two entrances, one opening to the east and the other to the south, and is encircled by a moat-like structure, an uncommon architectural feature that adds to the temple’s uniqueness.

Sanctum Artwork and Inscriptions

The walls of the sanctum are adorned with numerous inscriptions and feature images of Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, and Brahma, collectively known as the Goshta Mūrthis. Encircling the sanctum is a prakaram that contains sannidhis for Brahmi, Chandeshwarar, and the 63 Nayanmars, arranged in two tiered rows, further emphasizing the structured and sacred layout of the temple.

Underground

Within the mandapam of the sanctum, there is a sannidhi dedicated to Shankara Narayanar, while a distinctive subterranean sannidhi for Paathaleshwara is situated below ground level, resembling a vault-like structure. This underground enclosure houses a Shiva Linga, Nandi, and Vinayaka. It is traditionally believed that performing abhishekam to Paathaleshwarar for 48 consecutive days during times of famine or drought is capable of invoking the much-needed rainfall.

Architectural Marvel

The stone sculptures of the Dvāra Pālakas flanking the entrance to the main sanctum are distinguished by their intricate craftsmanship, with one of the figures depicted in a hand gesture suggestive of a dance posture. Additionally, located between the Nandi and the presiding deity is the Jīva Samādhi of Sanakar, a disciple of Dakshinamurthy. It is traditionally believed that meditating at this site helps to mitigate the effects of curses from past lives.

27 Stars on Vimana

A notable aspect of this temple is the depiction of the physical forms of the twenty-seven stars (Nakshatras), which are intricately illustrated on the vimāna that crowns the sanctum.

Sacred Legends and Divine Events

Avvaiyar's Gooseberry

This sacred site is renowned as the place where Avvaiyar was bestowed with the extraordinary gooseberry, a divine fruit believed to confer longevity upon those who partake of it.

Vinayaka's Divine Gift

It is at this hallowed ground that Vinayaka is believed to have circumambulated his parents, Umadevi and Shiva, and thereby received a mango as a divine gift. In a specially designated shrine situated adjacent to the Sani Bhagavan’s sannidhi, Ganesha is portrayed seated upon a Padma Pīṭham, elevated on a Chatura Pīṭham, and holding a mango delicately in his trunk, serving as a poignant visual remembrance of this significant divine episode.

Literary Significance

The revered saint-poet Arunagirinathar composed a Tirupugazh song in honor of Muruga at this temple. Additionally, two distinct sannidhis of Mahavishnu flank the sannidhi of the goddess: one depicts Mahavishnu in a standing posture, while the other shows him seated. Positioned in front of the goddess’s sannidhi are a balipeetam and a lion, complementing the sacred arrangement of deities within the prakaram.

The Legend of Nandi and the Demon Kanchan

The Devoted Worshipper

According to local legend, the Nandi statue in the temple is deliberately positioned to face outward for a significant purpose. The story recounts that a devoted worshipper would travel five kilometers to a pond at Kanchana Giri to collect water for the anointment of the deity. During this task, the devotee was harassed by a demon named Kanchan, who had been granted immortality by God Shiva.

Nandi's Victory

Distressed, the devotee prayed to Shiva, who then sent Nandi to confront the demon. Nandi triumphed, using his horns to dismember Kanchan into eight parts, and it is said that wherever the demon’s blood fell, a Shiva Linga emerged, thus sanctifying the surrounding land.

Eight Sacred Temples

Today, numerous Shiva Lingas can be found along the banks of the mountain during excavations. To commemorate the defeat of Kanchan, special ceremonies are conducted at the eight temples erected on the sites where his body parts fell. The outward-facing gaze of Nandi toward the temple gate is believed to ward off any potential disturbances from Kanchan, preserving the sanctity of the temple.

Divine Jyoti

A radiant Jyoti is observed on the mountain during each full moon, shining especially bright in the Tamil months of Chitra and Thai, and in recent years, this phenomenon has drawn increased numbers of devotees to the sacred site.