Thirunilai Periyandavar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Thirunilai Village, Oragadam post,

Chengalpet Taluk. Near Thirukalukundram,

Kanchipuram District, Pincode – 603 109

Mobile: +91 – 98427 40957

Moolavar

Periyandavar

Amman

Angalaparameshwari

Introduction

Periyandavar temple is dedicated to God Shiva located in Thirunilai Village near Thirukalukundram in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. The Thirunilai Periyandavar temple is located by the side of the village lake. The temple is very attractive and fascinating in the open air and amidst the natural atmosphere. It is well maintained with the support and the co-operation of village people and devotees. Devi Angalaparameshwari is also blessing along with Periyandavar. She is the goddess of this temple. The presiding deity is Lord Periyandavar, in Suyambu Lingam. The very unique feature of this temple is ‘Nandi Devar’ in ‘standing posture’. Suyambu Lingam in the middle of twenty one Sivaganams in the open ground is a sacred view, which all devotees can notice here. The Periyandavar is Family Deity for many people. This Temple is particularly very busy on Sundays.

Periyandavar temple is located at about 8 kms North West of Thirukazhukundram in Chengalpet Taluk, Kancheepuram district. Also this temple is located at about 14 kms to the east from Chengalpet and 12 kms to the west from Thiruporur.

Puranic Significance

Though the temple is more than 300 years old with only a Swayambu Lingam in the open ground and recently a temple was constructed dedicating it to Periyandavar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Devi Angalaparameshwari is also blessing along with Periyandavar.

Shiva took shelter in Thirunilai: Once, Lord Siva incarnated as a Human-being because of Goddess Parvathi Devi’s curse. He was roaming throughout the earth. He could not stay anywhere. He was wandering everywhere in all directions without any stable mind. As Lord Siva lost his balanced state of mind because of Sakthi’s curse, the whole world sank in chaos and confusion. The operation and movement of the universe were also affected. So the universe was out of order. At last, Lord Siva came to a place where his Soolayudham fell on ground. There Siva took shelter and stayed permanently. Hence this place is called Thirunilai (place where he settled). This puranic incident is depicted in the temple. In memory of this incident, the ancestors of this village built a temple dedicating it to Periyandavar who is the incarnation of Lord Siva. The villagers say that many Sages stayed here and worshipped Periyandavar and got his abundant blessings.

Sakthi Soolayudham fell here:

When Sakthi’s Soolayudham fell here, 21 sand rounds came out and later they took the form of Sivaganas

Sivaganams performed Pooja here:

Sivaganams perform pooja to Lord Siva at this sthalam

Beliefs

Lord Periyandavar and Devi Angalaparameshwari are known for their limitless blessings to childless couples. They regularly come to this temple and offer prayers here. Within a short period of time, their wish is fulfilled and they are blessed with child. So, nowadays, knowing this kindness of Periyandavar, childless couples visit this temple in large numbers to get their longings become true. After taking a holy dip in the temple pond, Siddhamirdhakulam, they have to perform poojas and Abishekams in their own hands. Atleast for six weeks they have to continuously perform poojas in this manner. Afterwards to their surprise and wonder, they get a miraculous result.

Special Features

The temple is located in a beautiful natural atmosphere by the side of a lake, a small hill and in the middle of paddy-fields. People can go at any time and can have the Dharshan. The very unique feature of this temple being the Nandhi is in a standing posture. Thirunilai Periyandavar Temple is located in a serene atmosphere in between two tanks in an open court yard facing east. At the entrance to the temple, Lord Vinayakar is seen on the left side of the entrance and Lord Muruga on the right side of the entrance.

Lord Shiva who incarnated as a human being and then stationed at this village Thirunilai is giving Dharshan to His devotees as Periyandavar in a Swayambu Lingam form. To the left of the Swayambu Lingam, a stucco image of Lord Parameswaran can be seen. Goddess Parvathi in the stucco image form as Akilandeswari can be seen next to Lord Parameswaran.

Angala Parameswari:

Devi Angalaparameshwari is the goddess of this temple. She is fondly called ‘Thirunilai Nayagi’ by the villagers. Goddess with Lord Periyandavar, in sitting posture gives darshan in the eastern direction. This is a rare Thirukkolam of Angalaparameshwari, which we cannot see in other temples. She fulfills all the prayers of devotees. She cures all chronic diseases. She is beautifully decorated during all poojas and festivals. Especially during Amavasai and Full moon poojas, special Abishekams are performed to her also, as to, Lord Periyandavar. Special homams are done in all festivals to Annai.

Other deities:

Dakshinamurthy is located on the southern side of the temple and Bhairavar is located on the north side of the temple and he is facing east. The foot prints of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is rare sight to be seen in this temple.

Sivaganams: The rare sight of 21 Sivaganams in a rectangular format around the Swayambu Lingam can only be seen at this temple. When Lord Shiva was wandering the earth in human form, Nandi also took human form and worshipped Shiva at this temple. Nandhi in Human form can be seen here.

Siddhaamirtha Theertham: The temple pond is called ‘Siddhaamirtha kulam’. It is a very big pond and is situated in the northern side of the temple. ‘Siddhaamirtha’ consists of two words – “siddha and Amirtha”. It cleans all our sins and diseases. This is the meaning of the word ‘Siddhaamirtha’, the villagers say. It is believed that after coming to ‘boologam’, Lord Siva took a holy dip in this pond. The villagers took drinking water only from this pond for many years. Though now people do not use this pond for drinking purpose, it is considered very sacred and holy

Festivals

Full moon Day Pooja, Pradosham and many other festivals related to Shiva are performed here with full perfection. During full moon (Pournami) and Amavasai, milk abishekam in 18 pots is performed to Sri Periyandavar and Devi Angalaparameshwari. During every religious worship, pooja and festival, ‘Annadhanam’ is given to all devotees coming to the temple.

This has been extracted from,

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com