Sri Shivanandheeswarar Temple / Thirukandalam Shiva Temple / Sree Sivanandeeswarar Temple / Sri Sivanandishwarar Temple /சிவானந்தேஸ்வரர் கோவில், Thirukandalam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

Now this place is called as Thirukandalam and the same was called as Thirukallil ( Kalli – a flowering plant with thorns ) during 6-7^th Century. This place Thirukallil is on the banks of river Kusathalai River. This is the 18^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. Sekkizhar has not mentioned about Thirugnanasambandar’s visit to this temple in Periya Puranam. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

      

      முள்ளின்மேல் முதுகூகை முரலும் சோலை

      வெள்ளின்மேல் விடுகூறைக் கொடிவிளைந்த

      கள்ளின்மேய அண்ணல் கழல்கள் நாளும்

      உள்ளுமேல் உயர்வெய்தல் ஒருதலையே.

Moolavar  : Sri Shivanandheeswarar, Thirukalleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Ananthavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are …

The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers and the temple is facing east with a temple tank is in front. Dwajasthambam, is immediately after the Rajagopuram and Balipeedam, Rishabam are after in the mukha mandapam. Moolavar vimanam is of Gaja prishta type. Moolavar is of swayambhu. In koshatam Natana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Naalvar with Sekkizhar, Suryan, Sri Anjaneyar, Nagars under Nelli ( amla ) tree, Sundara Vinayagar, Kalathi Nathar, Balasubramaniar without usual Valli Devasena, Chandikeswarar, Sri Sakthi Dakshinamurthy, Kala Bhairavar and Navagrahas. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing east. Most of the sannadhi and mandapam are built  in recent years.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was built during 6^th to 7^th Century during Pallava period and the same was reconstructed during Chozha period. Above adhisthana the sanctum walls, Gajaprista vimana, mukha mandapa, parivara shrines are constructed in the recent years.  

There are many inscriptions found on the adhisthana of the sanctum of that one belongs to Vikarama Chozha. The inscription records the donation of  land to this temple.

LEGENDS

As per the legend the sage Bhrigu Maharishi used to worship Lord Shiva with Kallil ( a variety of cactus ). He used to circumambulate only Shiva and worship. This irritates ma Parvati. So Lord Shiva gave the dharshan of "Sakthi Dakshinamurthy", to show that Shiva and Sakthi are one and inseparable. There is a Shiva idle in that Sakthi sits on the laps of Lord Shiva in this temple. 

In Another legend ( There is no mention about this periyapuranam ) Thirugnanasambandar, after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruvalangadu on the way to Kalahasti took bath in Kosasthalaiyar River. The flood washed away his Vibhuti box and pooja article box and landed, where Lord Shiva was in the midst of the kallil forest. Thirugnanasambandar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

The couples with difference of opinions, will be reunited, if they worship Lord Shiva of this temple.  Problems in Family prosperity, marriage obstacles will also be solved.   

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, Mahashivaratri ( Feb - March ), Pradosham, Thirukarthigai ( November – December ), Skanda sashti ( October – November ), Margazhi Thiruvathirai ( December – January ) are Celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The Mobile number +9190472 60791, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

The Place Kannigaipair is on the way to Chennai to Periyapalayam. And from there Thirukandalam is about 3 KM. Share auto is available from Kannigaipair.

The temple is about 17 KM from Periyapalayam, 30 KM from Tiruvallur, the District Headquarters,  37 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Tiruvallur

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---