Valikandapuram Valeeswarar Temple, Perambalur

Address

Valikandapuram Valeeswarar Temple, Valikandapuram, Perambalur Town, Perambalur District- 621115.

Diety

Valeeswarar Amman: Valambigai / Bhrihannayaki.

Introduction

Valeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Valikandapuram near Perambalur Town in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vaaleeswarar / Brahmapureeswarar and Mother is called as Valambigai / Bhrihannayaki. The Temple is situated on eastern banks of Koneri River. Arunagirinathar (15th century CE) has sung the praise of Lord Muruga of this Temple in his Thirupugazh Hymns. (Arunagirinathar (15th century CE) has sung the praise of Lord Muruga of this Temple in his Thirupugazh Hymns).

Puranic Significance

Valikandapuram is an important city in the Chola Kingdom. The temple was built by the Cholas before the construction of Tanjore Brihadeeswarar Temple popular known as Thanjai Periya Kovil. The Temple has about 130 stone inscriptions including ones from the Chola period relating to Aditya Chola I, Parantaka Chola and Rajaraja Chola. Krishnadevaraya has contributed to the development of this temple. Imperial Cholas allowed the popular merchant guilds to have their small band of army. Some of the famous trade guilds operated in medieval Southern India such as the Manigramam, Gatrigas, Nakaras, Mummuridandas, Ayyavole-500, Settis, Birudas, Settiguttas, Ubhayananadesigal, Biravaniges, etc. Valikandapuram is considered to be the birth place of Manigramam. Lot of inscriptions in this temple refers to donation of lamps to this Temple by this merchant guild. Hence this village would have been a busiest place in ancient trade. Vanara King Vali worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple and hence the Lord came to be called as Vaaleeswarar and Mother came to be called as Valambikai. Even, Koneri River flows nearby was called as Vaali Nadhi and Vaali Theertham. It is believed that Vanara King Vaali created this City during his rule and hence it is called as Valikandapuram. As per Sthala Purana, Lord Brahma consecrated Shiva Linga on the banks of Koneri River and worshipped him to get darshan of Lord Shiva. Hence Lord Shiva is also called as Brahmapureeswarar. The Village was called as Brahmapuri and Koneri River was called as Brahma Theertham because of its association with Lord Brahma. Koneri River: Pancha Pandavas lived here during their Vanavasa by hiding their identities and worked under Virada king who ruled this area. During this time Dharma played dice game with the king and found that the king was indulging in foul play so Pandavas got angry and was about to pick fight with the King. Due to their compulsion of hiding their identities they kept calm and took bath in the river and worshipped Lord Shiva here to get rid of their anger. Hence the river calmed down their anger; river is called as Koneri River. Hence Virada ruled over this area, area is called as Ladapuram. Presently Ladapuram is located to the west of Valikandapuram. Kandeeram: During Sangam Age, this place was ruled by Velir king Kandeerakko and hence it is called as Kandeeram. Later on, due to its association with the legend of Vaali, the name of this place has been changed to Valikandapuram. Suthamallan Jayamkonda Chozha Vannattudaiyan blessed with male child by praying to Lord Shiva here: In olden days, this place was ruled by Suthamallan Jayamkonda Chozha Vannattudaiyan. He was not having heir to rule his kingdom. He prayed to Lord Vaaleeswarar sincerely for Child. He was blessed with male child by the grace of Lord Shiva. He endowed this Temple with revenues from Pugazharai Village. This incident was recorded in one of the inscriptions in this Temple.

Special Features

The Temple is having an imposing sever tiered Rajagopuram. Rajagopuram has stucco images of Europeans. Presiding Deity is called as Vaaleeswarar. He is called by this name during Kulothunga III period also. An inscription belongs to Kulothunga III attests this information. He is also called as Brahmapureeswarar. The Temple is abundant with Chola Era Inscriptions and intricate sculptures. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. He is facing east. There is a Lord Murugan idol in the precinct surrounding the sanctum. He is around 9 feet tall facing North. There is a Sahasra Linga opposite to the Murugan Idol. Mother is called as Valambigai / Bhrihannayaki. She is housed in a separate shrine. Her shrine is situated on the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram. Her shrine is facing south. Some dilapidated idols are kept in an open area opposite to Mother Shrine. This Temple got destructed by Nawabs during 18th Century. These idols might be result of this destruction. There are three Nandhis namely Bala Nandhi, Vaaliba Nandhi and Yavana Nandhi located in series facing the Sanctum. Bhairavar with Naga around his waist in standing posture facing west can be seen in the Mahamandapam. Dwalabalagars can be seen at the entrance of Artha Mandapam. Shrine of Kalyana Vinayagar is located at the right side on entering Artha Mandapam. Sanctum is located after crossing Bala Nandhi. Kuthirai Mandapam of this temple is of great beauty. It is also called as Natarajar Mandapam as it houses the Nataraja Idol. Also, it houses various pillars depicting dance postures, Yali and Horsemen riding horses. It was built during Krishna Devaraya Period. Similar type of Mandapams can be seen in Srirangam, Thiruvannamalai, Kanchipuram, Vellore and Chidambaram Temples. Bala Ganapathy is housed in a small stone mandapam located opposite to Rajagopuram and to the south of Natarajar Mandapam. Saravana Theertham is located inside the temple premises on the right-hand side immediately after Rajagopuram. Theppam Festival is celebrated annually in this Theertham during olden days. A sculpture depicting Vaali worshipping Shiva can be seen in the Pillars located near the Theertham. Legend of Vaali has been depicted in the Pillars of the Temple. Koneri River flowing nearby is also considered as Theertham associated with this Temple.

Festivals

Adi Kirthikai and Tirukarthikai are celebrated grandly for Lord Murugan of this Temple. All Shiva related festivals are celebrated here. Monthly Pradoshams are observed here with reverence.