Valayathur Sri Valava Natha Easwarar Temple, Vellore

Address

Valayathur,

Vellore district

Phone: +91 99769 99793, 98436 43840

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Moolavar

Valava Natha Easwarar

Amman

Periyanayaki

Introduction

Valayathur Sri Valava Natha Easwarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Valayathur village, Vellore district, Tamilnadu. Here the Presiding deity is called as Valavanathaeaswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki.

Puranic Significance

A king ruling this region earlier was a staunch Shiva devotee. He wanted to build a temple for Lord Shiva seeking His grace for the welfare of people and growth in agriculture. But, he did not know the location and rules to proceed with the temple construction. Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of the king and guided him showing this place. As Lord granted all fertility and prosperity (Valam) to people, He is named Valava Natha Easwarar. It is explained that the name also shows the flexible nature of the Lord to the needs of devotees. Pallavas, Cholas, Sambuvarayars, Naickers, Vijayanagara kings did many renovations. This is an ancient temple and believed to be more than 1500 years old.

Special Features

Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai grace on both sides of Lord Shiva shrine. That Lord Muruga appears with Chinmudra attributed to Lord Shiva is especially significant. One lakh Deeps are lit on Tirukarthikai day. The Saptha Kannikas (seven virgins) seated on their respective vahans-vehicles adds more significance to the temple.

Lord Dakshinamurthy, Ligodhbava, Brahma and Mother Durga are on the ghoshta-walls of Lord Shiva shrine. Sun, Bhairava, Lord Vinayaka, Chandikeswara and Navagrahas the nine planets are in the corridor-prakara.

The temple is a centre for prayers seeking relief from adverse effects caused by any planet. Lord Valava Natha Easwarar is on a square peeta-seat as Navamsa Murthy passing through nine stages according to Shiva philosophy. It is also said that the nine points represents nine planets. Prayers assure relief from effects of any planets, it is explained. Lord Shiva has three eyes including the one on the forehead between the eyebrows representing Sun, Moon and Agni the fire. As Mother Parvathi is part of Lord Shiva, She too has three eyes. Shivrathri puja is performed to Mother too. Devotees perform milk abhishek to Mother. She is wearing rings in all the last fingers in four hands. There is no main gate before the Shiva shrine but only a stone window. The shrine gate is only before Ambika shrine. Therefore, the devotee would see Mother only while entering the temple.

Belief

People pray for relief (dosha nivruddhi) from adverse effects caused by any planet. Devotees perform abhishek to Lord with milk for realizing their prayers.

Festivals

Ipasi Annabishekam in October-November, Margazhi Arudra Darshan in December-January, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Shivrathri in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.