199. ARANVOYAL

THIRUTHALEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 12kms from Thiruvallur

Shiva: Thiruthaleeswarar 

Amman: Maragadhambigai

Speciality:

Situated in the southern banks of Coovam.

More than 1200 years old.

Built by Nandhi Varma Pallava II.

The temple faces south.

There is no Rajagopuram.

Thiruthaleeswarar faces eastern direction and Maragadhambigai faces south.

The Vimanam is in the Gajaprishta Style.

The inscriptions on the temple walls Shed light on ancient tamil culture.

Apart from the normal deities there are sannidhis for Somaskandhar, Manikkavasagar and Sage Patanjali.

This temple has great reputation for dissolving Naaga Dhoshas.

There are Kailasanadhar, Chandrasekarar and Kasi Viswanadhar Lingas which has been brought from nearby places such as Koppoor.

There is an image of Vishnu in the nearby fields.

History:

Lord Shiva danced with Kaali in Thiruvaalangaadu. While he was dancing the tail of the serpent which he was wearing as an Aabaran (jewel) fell in this place. Therefore this place was called Ara vaal and later changed to Aranvoyal. This temple has been mentioned in Thirupaasoor Sthala Puranam.

198. PERIYAPALAYAM

AIMUKTHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 25kms from Redhills, 40kms from Chennai and 3kms from Thiruvallur.

Shiva: Aimuktheeswarar

Amman: Annapurani, Annapoornambigai

Speciality:

The Shiva Linga Aimuktheeswarar faces west towards the Arani river.

This Linga was installed by Sage Valmiki.

Lord Indhra worshipped here and got relieved from his curse. 

The Pancha Bhoothas worshipped here and attained Mukthi. Therefore Shiva was called Aimuktheeswarar. (Ai meaning five).

Amman Annapurani faces west.

There is a Linga near the Amman.

This temple was built by the Pallavas.

The Pancha Bhoothas are said to worship everyday.

There are Sannidhis for Veerabhadrar, Varasidhdhi Vinayaka, Hanuman, Valmiki and Shri Devi Bhudhevi with Vekadesa Shrinivasa Perumal here. 

History:

Sage Valmiki stayed here and performed penance. Shiva appeared before him and blessed him. He wanted Shiva to stay here for people's worship. Lord Shiva agreed. Sage Valmiki installed the Suuyambhu Linga which he worshipped in this place. This place was called Valmiki Ashramam. 

The Pancha Bhoothas (Land, Fire, Air, Water and Sky) went to worship Shiva to the Kailash. Nandhikeswarar stopped them and told them that it was not an auspicious time for their worship. They disrespected Nandhi thinking that they were more powerful and entered to worship Shiva. Lord Shiva was in penance. They did not realise that they were disturbing the Lord. Lord Shiva opened his eyes. He said that they had come together in an inauspicious time and Nandhi was outside to fix the time and since they had not respected the words of Nandhi they were cursed to be born as Monkeys in the world. Since they did not attend their own jobs the world was full of darkness and they had to accept the curse as they have committed this mistake. They realised their mistake and sought for relief shortly. After Shiva calmed down he said that Brahmaranya River flowed as Uthiravahini in Bhuloga and Sage Valmiki has installed a Linga there. If all the 5 monkeys could reach there together and worship the Linga they would attain Shapa Vimochana (relief from curse). The 5 monkeys travelled to many places in the earth and identified this place. They worshipped here as instructed by Lord Shiva and got relieved from the curse. The sculpture of this story is inside the temple. In the Baana of AImuktheeswarar the impression of 5 monkeys could be seen. 

King Chitravarman was a devotee of Sage Valmiki. He ruled a country called Kamarupa. He was a devotional King.Once there was no rain in the country and his country lost fertility. The people of the country were suffering from drought. He worshiped this temple daily. Amman came in the form of Mohini and supplied food to the people of his Land. The Land became fertile and people were relieved from drought and Hunger. This King built the temple as a sign of gratitude. This story sculpture can be seen at the entrance. There Amman was therefore known as Annapooranambigai.

197. SIVAPURAM

RAJARAJA ESWARA MUDAIYA MAHADEVAR TEMPLE

Distance: 22kms from Thiruvallur, 10kms from Thakkolam and 22kms from Arakkonam.

Shiva: Rajarajaeswaramudaiyamahadevar

Amman: Kaamakshi

Speciality:

It is a stone temple of Chola period. 

Built by Rajaraja Chola in 10th Century.

The name of the place was then called Oragadam.

There is another name called Theerthabaleeswarar for Shiva.

There is Nandhi and Palipeetam but no Gopuram or Kodimaram.

This temple predates the Thanjavur Brahadheeswarar temple.

The bronze idol of this temple such as Abhimaana Meru Vidangan, Uma Deviyar and Aadavallan are missing.

There are many inscriptions in the temple.

Some inscriptions tell us about the kinds of patronage received as donations to the temple.

The Channel leading to a lake has been made tax free and given to the temple.

Inscriptions of Rajendhra Chola has recorded the donations of Gold ornaments to the temple.

Another inscriptions record about the rituals conducted in the temple.

There was a special ritual called Aadhithya Vaara Perumbali which was conducted on Sundays.

A Large number of people attended this function in the Chola period.