வடாரண்யேசுவரர் திருக்கோயில், திருவாலங்காடு
This is a very significant temple for Tamil Saivite Hindus. A Sivan temple that is about 2 hours west of Chennai, it is a vast and beautiful temple with a lot of legends and an amazing history. It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of only 44 where all three of the Moovar (Sampanthar, Appar and Suntharar) have rendered pathikams.
This temple is associated with Karaikkal Ammaiyar (காரைக்கால் அம்மையார்), one of only three females among the 63 Nayanmar. Karaikal Ammaiayar was born into a rich merchant family in Karaikal near Nagapattinam. Her name at birth was Punithavathi. She lived in the 5th century. She became a Saivite ascetic at a young age and dedicated her life to the service of the Lord. She spent her last days here at Thiruvalangadu before she died.
The original temple was under a banyan tree in a banyan forest. Aal (ஆல்) is a banyan tree in Tamil. Kaadu (காடு) is a forest. The tree is still venerated in this temple.
This is one of the 5 Pancha Sabai Temples - the five dancing halls - the 5 temples where the Lord performed his cosmic dance. Chidambaram is the Golden Hall - the Potsabai or Ponnambalam (பொற்சபை). The Silver Hall - the வெள்ளி சபை - is in Madurai. The Nellaiappar at Thirunelvely is the தாமிரசபை- the Hall of Copper. At Kutralam is the Hall of Paintings - the Chitra Sabai (சித்திரசபை). Here at Thiruvalankadu is the Hall of Jewels or Gems - the Ratna Sabai (இரத்தின சபை). The story is that once Lord Siva and the Goddess got into an intense dance competition. When the Lord’s earring fell to the floor he picked it with the toes of his left foot and put it on again. The Goddess could not match this kind of agility and conceded defeat. The dance the Lord performed here is the Oorthuvathandavam (ஊர்த்துவ தாண்டவம்).
Here like in many Sivan temples, the Goddess takes precedence and it is customary to worship the Goddess at her shrine before proceeding to the Siva shrine.
Originally a Pallava brick structure, it was turned into a granite temple by the Cholas and was greatly expanded by Kulothunga I. A long line of monarchs from Paranthakan I to Vijayanagar kings have left their mark here.
It is located about 65 km or 2 hours west of Chennai. We visited in May 2023. We were based in Chennai. For us, this visit completed our visits to all five of the Pancha Sabais and was a very fulfilling experience.
Credits: Google Maps
Comentários