This place Thiruvalithayam, in Thevara period is now called as Padi. This is the 21st Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Since weapons for the war was stored in this temple premises, so called as Padi. Sekkizhar mentioned the visit of Thirugnanasambandar in his Periyapuranam.
திருவேற்காடு அமர்ந்த செழுஞ்சுடர் பொன்கோயில் சென்று அணைந்து பணிந்து திருப்பதிகம் பாடி வருவேற்று மனத்து அவுணர் புரங்கள் செற்றார் வலிதாயம் வந்து எய்தி வணங்கிப் போற்றி உருஏற்றார் அமர்ந்துறையும் ஓதவேலை ஒற்றியூர் கைதொழச் சென்று உற்றபோது பெருவேட்கை தருவாழ்வும் பெற்ற தொண்டர் பெரும் பதியோர் எதிர்கொள்ளப் பேணி வந்தார்... பெரியபுராணம்Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple.
பத்தரோடுபல ரும்பொலியம்மலர் அங்கை புனல்தூவி ஒத்த சொல்லி உல கத்தவர் தாம் தொழுது ஏத்த உயர் சென்னி மத்தம் வைத்தபெரு மான்பிரியாது உறை கின்றவலி தாயம் சித்தம்வைத்தஅடி யார் அவர்மேல் அடை யாமற்று இடர்நோயே.
Moolavar : Thiruvalleeswarar, Sri Valithaya nathar.Consort : Sri Jagathambigai
Some of the important features of this temple are….The temple is facing east with 3 tier Rajagopuram.Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. A Gaja prishta vimana is over the sanctum. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai. Moolavar is little big in size and swayambhu on a square avudayar.
Ambal is facing south and standing on one place we could be able to have the darshan of Moolavar and Ambal.
In the inner prakaram Urchavars and Sannadhi for Somaskandar, Vinayagar ( Vinayagar is with his two wives Kamali & Valli ). Subramaniyar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Nalvar, Hanuman worshiped lingam, Suryan, Bharadwajar Lingam, Bhairavar, Arunagirinathar, Balamurugan and 63var (Complete 63 vars are not there). In the outer prakaram Navagrahas and Guru bhagavan.
Arunagirinathar Visited this temple and worshiped Murugan of this temple. Also sung hymns in praise of Murugan.
மருமல்லி யார்குழலின் மடமாதர் மருளுள்ளி நாயடிய னலையாமல் இருநல்ல வாகுமுன தடிபேண இனவல்ல மானமன தருளாயோ கருநெல்லி மேனியரி மருகோனே கனவள்ளி யார்கணவ முருகேசா திருவல்லிதாயமதி லுறைவோனே நிகழ்வல்ல மாதவர்கள் பெருமாளே
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThe original temple was existed before 6-7th Century as brick temple and the same was reconstructed during Chozha period and extended during Vijayanagara period. As per the experts and Historians the idols and sculptures belongs to 12th to 13th Century Chozha Period.
The Thevaram hymns mentions this place as Thiruvalithaayam and the same was corrupted to Thiruvallithayam during Chozha Period. As per the inscriptions, this place was under Jayangoda chozha mandalathu Pauzhal Kottattu, Kundrathur Nattu (?) Thiruvallithayam. And Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvalithayamudaiya Nayanar and Thiruvallithayamudaiyar and Ambal was called as Thiruveethi Nachiyar ( AR 217 of 1910 ). The inscriptions mainly records the donations in terms of Kasu ( money ), Land donated made to temple towards poojas, prayers,Naivedyam and celebrations.
The inscription ( 214 of 1910), without Kings name and period records that Chitrambalamudaya Nayanar was installed from Thiruvenkadu, for pooja Andhanars are also brought from there and for their food a land was donated in This Thiruvalithayam which came under Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Puliyur Kottam, Sangama Chozha Valanadu. It also records that paddy to be given to them, which should be measured in Thirugnanasambandar Nazhi alias marakkal.
Rajararaja-I’s 28th year reign inscription ( 216 of 1910 ), records the construction of Kshethrapala Pillaiyar temple and for Naivedyam a land was also gifted to this temple.
During Rajaraja-I’s period, the inscriptions ( 218 & 219 of 1910) records that Naranan Yadhavarayan of Chalukya, two houses and two nandhavanams ( flower garden ) in Chinthamanipuram, a part of Padi was gifted to this temple. Also Parameswaramangalathu Silambur kottathu Silambanithan Madhavarayan donated gold towards lighting of perpetual lamp.
Vijayakanda Gopaladevar’s rule inscriptions ( 217 of 1910 ) records that Lady Dancers were brought from Kanchipuram and settled them here. The inscription also records that jewelry and vessels were donated to Ambal, Thiruveethi Nachiyar.
LEGENDSThis is also one of the Guru parikara sthalam in and around Chennai. The Guru one of the Navagrahas has incurred a curse out of his lust and desire. To get rid of the Curse Maharishi Markandeya advised Guru to worship Lord Shiva of this temple.
Bhradwaja, Ramar, Anjanayer, Suryan, Chandran, Indiran as Valiyan ( as Bird ) worshiped Lord shiva of this temple.
In another legend Bharadwaja, son of Guru bhagawan, was born to Valiyan ( sparrow – கருங்குருவி ). Bharadwaja, depressed about his birth as Valiyan, did a penance on Lord Shiva of this temple. Pleased by the devotion Lord Shiva blessed him as a lord of birds. Hence this place was called as Thiru ( Sri ) Valithayam and Lord Shiva alao called as Thiruvalleeswarar.
It was believed that this temple was used for storing weapons during war, hence this place was called as Padi. ( to support this the temple authorities, mentions the Padavettamman, were soldiers stayed, prayed before war and offerings after the war which includes Navakandam )
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :The land line number is 044 2654 0706 may be contacted for further details.HOW TO REACH : The temple is in Padi, an industrial area on west part of Chennai ( wheels India and Lucas TVS bus stop. ). City and Town buses are available from various parts of the City.The temple is about 7.5 KM from Koyambedu, 9.6 KM from Chennai Central and 20 KM from Domestic Airport Nearest Railway Station Anna Nagar Metro ( 4 KM ) and Junction is Chennai Central.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Consort : Sri Jagathambigai
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
HOW TO REACH :
The temple is about 7.5 KM from Koyambedu, 9.6 KM from Chennai Central and 20 KM from Domestic Airport
