VadaAranyeswarar temple, Tiruvalangadu
Location: Tiru-Valangadu
Deity known as: Vada-Aranyeswarar, Aalankatteesar, Oorthuvathandava Murthy
Female Deity: Vandarkuzhalammai
Pathikam: Tirunavukarasar-2, Sambandar-1, Sundarar-1
Gallery - VadaAranyeswarar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located about 4 km from Tiruvalangadu railway station, on the Chennai–Arakonam section of the Southern Railway. Auto-rickshaws are readily available from the station for easy access to the temple. By road, the temple lies approximately 18 km from Tiruvallur and is conveniently situated near the Tiruvalangadu bus stop on the Tiruvallur–Arakonam bus route, making it easily reachable by public transport.
Temple Address
Tiruvalangadu
Tiruvalangadu Post
Tiruttani Taluk
Tiruvallore District
PIN 631210
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Specialities
Shakthi Peetam: Kali Peetam
Pancha Sabha: Rathna Sabha
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Elambayankottur - 20 kms | |
| 2 | Tiruvirkolam - 17 kms | |
| 3 | Tirupachur - 15 kms | |
| 4 | Tiruvenpakkam - 24 kms |
Temple Overview - The Sacred Rathna Sabha
One of the Five Sabhas
The Vadaranyeshwarar Temple at Tiruvalangadu is revered as Rathna Sabha, one of the Five Sabhas associated with Nataraja, where His cosmic dance is believed to have taken place. This sacred site holds special importance in Saivite tradition as the place where Karaikkal Ammayar was blessed with a divine vision of Nataraja. Devotional lore further holds that she eternally remains at His feet, symbolizing supreme humility and unwavering devotion.
Urdhva Thandavam
The cosmic dance performed at Tiruvalangadu, known as Urdhva Thandavam, is a rare and powerful form in which Nataraja raises His right leg high, close to the right ear, symbolizing supreme ascetic control and transcendence over ego and illusion. The image of Nataraja in this posture is truly awe-inspiring—about four feet tall, endowed with eight arms, and radiating intense dynamism and grace. This unique form sets Tiruvalangadu apart among Nataraja kshetrams and underscores its profound theological and artistic significance in Saivite tradition.
Kali's Submission
The dynamic Urdhva Thandavam of Nataraja is believed to be so supremely powerful that it compelled even the fierce goddess Kali to bow her head in humility, acknowledging Shiva’s transcendental supremacy. In keeping with this sacred legend, a separate sannidhi for Kali is situated directly opposite Nataraja’s sannidhi, accompanied by other attendant deities.
Auspicious Day
According to the Sthala Purana, devotees firmly believe that worshipping Vadaranyeshwarar Temple on the full moon day (Pournami) of the Tamil month Ippasi is especially auspicious. Such a visit is said to bestow great spiritual merit, inner joy, and lasting benefits, making Ippasi Pournami a highly revered occasion for pilgrims to this sacred kshetram.
Temple Layout and Architecture
The Majestic Entrance
The temple is distinguished by a magnificent five-tiered Rajagopuram facing east, richly adorned with intricate sculptures that add to its imposing grandeur. Flanking the main entrance are the sannidhis of Vallabha Ganapathy and Shree Shanmukha, the latter accompanied by his consorts Valli and Devanai. Together, these shrines create an auspicious and welcoming threshold for devotees entering the temple.
Abisheka Enclosure
Upon passing through the gateway, one immediately notices a pillared enclosure on the right, designated as the sacred space for the Abhisheka ritual dedicated to Nataraja. This specially demarcated area holds great ritual importance, as the abhisheka performed here is considered highly auspicious, underscoring the sanctity and central spiritual role of Nataraja within the temple complex.
Inner Gopuram
Directly opposite the gateway stand the dwajasthambam, balipeetam, and Nandi, aligned in the traditional axial arrangement. Beyond them rises a three-tiered inner gopuram, richly embellished with intricate carvings that vividly express the temple’s deep cultural and artistic heritage. The walls flanking this inner gopuram are especially evocative, bearing sculptural representations of Karaikkal Ammayar and Meenakshi Sundareswarar. These iconic images seamlessly weave mythology, devotion, and history into the very fabric of the temple’s architecture, enhancing its spiritual and narrative depth.
Female Deity Sannidhi
Passing through the gateway of the inner gopuram, one enters the inner prakaram. To the right is the sannidhi of the female deity Vandar Kuzhali Ammai, gracefully facing south and radiating benevolence and compassion. A notable architectural feature here is the absence of gostha murthas on the outer walls of her sanctum.
Five Sabhas Sculpture
Beyond the inner gateway is the entrance to the sanctum of the presiding deity, where the five Sabhas of Shiva are beautifully depicted as stucco sculptures above the doorway, showcasing the refined imagination and craftsmanship of the temple’s artisans. The presiding deity, Vadaranyeshwarar, is worshipped here in the form of a Shiva Linga, facing east.
Sannidhis in the Prakaram
Other Deities
Encircling the sanctum of the presiding deity, the prakaram accommodates numerous important sannidhis, reflecting the temple’s rich theological breadth. Among these are Surya, Athikara Nandi, and Vijaya Raghava Perumal along with his consorts. Also enshrined here are Shanmukha, Akora Veerabhadra, the Saptha Matha, and the Nalvar—the four great Nayanmars: Appar, Tirugnanasambandhar, Sundarar, and Manikkavasakar. In addition, devotees can worship Karaikkal Ammayar, Karkodaga, Sage Munjikesha, Pathanjali, Anantha, Chandesha Anugrahar, and eight idols of Vinayaka.
Goshta Murthis
The Goshta Murthis adorning the sanctum walls include Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma, and Goddess Durga, who is shown accompanied by Durga Parameshwara. In addition to these Goshta murthis, there is a separate sannidhi dedicated to Chandikeshwara.
Pancha Bhootha Lingas
Furthermore, there are Lingas representing the five Shiva temples associated with the five elements of nature. Additionally, there are sannidhis for Sahasra linga, Gajalakshmi, Subrahmanya, and Papahariswara Linga.
Unique Bhairavar
Notably, Bhairavar is seen without his usually accompanied 'Vahana' - the dog, making this depiction unique among Shiva temples.
The Ratna Sabha
Arudra Abhisheka Mandapam
The Arudra Abhisheka Mandapam serves as the gateway to the Ratnasabha, where a strategically placed mirror enhances the beauty of the surroundings.
Sacred Idols
Inside the Ratnasabha, the 'Urchava idol' of 'Urdhva Thandavar' Nataraja is accompanied by the idols of Sivakami and Karaikkal Ammayar.
Precious Lingas
The Ratna Sabha is distinguished by a large Spathikalingam (crystal lingam) and a smaller Emerald lingam, with the 'Abhishekam' ritual performed four times daily.
Architectural Features
Additionally, an idol of Chandeshwara is prominently featured along the circumambulating path of the Ratna Sabha, while the 'Vimana' is embellished with a copper plate and five 'Kalash'.
Tiruvalangadu Inscriptions - A Window to History
Discovery of Copper Plates
The discovery of specific engravings at Tiruvalangadu unveiled a significant chapter in the history of Tamil Nadu. These engravings, etched on 22 copper plates enclosed within a sizable ring, contained inscriptions in both Tamil and vernacular languages, along with the Chola seal, thereby shedding light on the rich history of the Chola dynasty.
Current Location
The artifacts, which are currently on display at the Chennai Arts Gallery, serve as a tangible link to the past, allowing visitors to delve into the intricate details of the Chola dynasty's reign and the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.
Historical Insights
The inscriptions provide valuable insights into the political, social, and economic aspects of that era, offering a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived during that time. These copper plates are considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Tamil Nadu, documenting the lineage and achievements of the Chola dynasty.
Gallery - Temple Features
