Andanallur Vada Theerthanathar Temple, Trichy

Address

Andanallur Vada Theerthanathar Temple, Andanallur, Trichy District- 639101.

Diety

Vada Theerthanathar, Amman: Balasundari

Introduction

Vada Theerthanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Andanallur in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The temple is also called Thiru Alandurai Mahadevar temple. The temple is believed to be 1000 Years old Shiva temple. The temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar.

Puranic Significance

This place has been a holy place and been a temple since the days of Periyapuranam, as Sekkizhar has written about this temple. However, this was built as a granite temple by Parantaka Chola (9th C). Later on, Rajaraja I also did several donations and services for the temple. The Pandya King Vira Pandya has also done a lot for this temple. The Hoysala king Sri Krishna Veera Vallalar and also the Nayaka rulers later on have also done a lot for the temple. The historical name of the village is Andavanallur. As per the inscriptions, the main deity is named as Alanthurai Mahadevar. Hence, we can understand that this village was also called as Alanthurai.

Special Features

This is a small temple. There is no tower for this east facing temple. Presiding Deity is called as Vada Teerthanathar / Vada Teertheswarar / Alanthurai Mahadevar. The east facing sanctum enshrines Shiva Linga called Vada Teerthanathar. Dhakshinamoorthi, Maha Lingam, Brahma and Durga are found as niche idols. All of them appear to of later era. Maha Lingam is actually a blunt piece of rock without any structure. At the entrance of the Ardha Mandapam, two big and attractive Dwarapalas are found.The entrance of Maha Mandapam has the idol of Ganesh. Nandi faces towards the sanctum in Maha Mandapam. Mother is called as Bala Soundara Nayaki /Bala Sundari. The south facing shrine enshrines the big idol of Goddess Soundara Nayaki. She also has Nandi as her Vaahana The sub-shrines of Maha Ganapati, Subramanya, Gaja Lakshmi, Navagraha and Chandikeswarar are located in the prakara. Chandikeswarar seems to be of original Chola period idol. Subramanya has six heads and twelve arms; he is found seated on peacock and has his consorts on his either sides. The ancient idols of Bhairava, Surya and Chandra are also found in temple. TheVimanas of the sanctum and other shrines look attractive. The river Cauvery is flowing near this temple. Sthala Vriksham is Banyan Tree. All around, at the Adhishtanam (base / foundation) is the Chola era inscription.