Oragadam Vadamalleeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Oragadam,

Kanchipuram district,

Tamil Nadu 603109

Moolavar

Vadamalleeswarar

Amman

Amrudhavalleeswari.

Introduction

Vadamalleeswarar Temple is dedicated to God Shiva located at Oragadam in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. This small Sivan temple is built on a small hillock and is located amidst beautiful setting- a huge Banyan tree at the base and a big tank opposite to this banyan tree. Presiding deity is called as Vadamalleeswarar and Mother is known as Amrudhavalleeswari. Both the sannidhis are adjacent to each other. Oragadam is located at a distance of 9 Kms on Chengalpattu – Thirukazhukundram Road, there is a sign board showing the direction of the temple.

Puranic Significance

The original Gajabirushta Vimana style temple was constructed during 7^th Century Pallava King Nandivarman-II, Period and latter reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period, between 10^th to 12^th Century. As per the legend, Rama did a penance on Lord Shiva for his darshan. Even after many years Shiva didn’t gave darshan and further Lord Shiva asked to do pooja with various flowers. When worshiped with a flower which didn’t shrink even after days or lose its fragrance. So Rama worshiped Lord Shiva with various flowers and finally Lord Shiva gave darshan when Rama worshiped with Jasmine flower. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Vadamalleeswarar. Nandi is with a tiger skin, which was once presented by Lord Shiva, which is a unique feature of this temple.

Presiding deity is called as Vadamalleeswarar and Mother is known as Amrudhavalleeswari. Both the sannidhis are adjacent to each other. There is a huge Sivan Statue in sitting posture on a small rock seat and a small Sannidhi for the Tamil poet saints ‘Naalvar’ next to it. The priest visits this temple early in the morning and performs pooja and again visits it in the evening only Thirukazhukundram Hill temple is visible from the road at the entrance of this village. This is a rather interesting place, unique in the way of having a deity for Lord Brahma which we may not find many in this country. The temple was built during the 7th Century AD, by the Pallava king Nandivarman II. Interestingly there are idols for Iccha Shakthi (Power of Desire), Gnana Shakthi (Power of Knowledge) and Kriya Shakthi (Power of Action) in the form of Goddesses. Opposite the hillock, there is a Lotus pond. The temple was constructed with Gajabirushta Vimana style. The front mandapam was built during Vijayanagara Period. Subramaniyar, Vinayagar, Nandhiyam peruman, Maharishis, Donors of this Mandapam, Sanganidhi, Krishna with Yasodha, Maha Vishnu as Varahamurthy, Herder, sculptures are on the mandapam pillars. At the entrance both side Columns of the ardha mandapam has the bas reliefs of Vyagrapadar, a King ( May be Chozha ), Ambal as Cow worshiping Lord Shiva, Ayyanar, Vinayagar and Murugan. A Lotus medallion is at the centre of the ceiling. In addition to that two lizards are also carved. Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar is on the top of the Mukha mandapam.

Beliefs

Devotees worships Lord Shiva with Jasmine flowers to get Child boon ( Husband and wife to take bathe in the temple tank, carries Jasmine flowers bundled in the saree and worship Lord Shiva ), to get their wishes fulfilled, to get flourish in the business, to get rid of problems between husband and wife, problems, etc,.

Special Features

The temple is facing east on a small Hill with nearly 100 steps to climb up. The entrance to the temple from west side. Lord Shiva in meditation posture is on a small rock a small deepasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam are in-front of the temple. Moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum. In Koshtam, Nirai Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In the makara thoranam above the Koshtams, the bas reliefs of Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma and Durgai with her Vahana Lion / Simham. The Koshta images are installed at a later date. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of ardha mandapam. Lord Shiva’s stucco image, Ambal Sannidhi, Nalvar, Chandikeswarar, Suriyan and Chandran are in the praharam. Ambal is in a separate Temple like sannidhi facing east on the north of the main temple. Ambal’s images are in the Koshta niches.