Thiruvalanturai Choleswarar (Tholieswarar) Temple, Perambalur

Address

Thiruvalanturai Choleswarar (Tholieswarar) Temple, Perambalur

Thiruvalanturai,

Perambalur District, Tamilnadu – 621117

Moolavar

Choleswarar

Amman

Periyanayake

Introduction

Thiruvalandurai Choleswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the town of Thiruvalandurai, Perambalur District, Tamilnadu.  Here the Presiding deity is called as Choleswarar (Tholieshwarar) and Mother is called as Periyanayake.

Puranic Significance 

The dispute over whom among Thirumal (Vishnu) and Brahma is superior led to a test. They sought clarification from Lord Shiva at Thiruvannamalai. Lord Shiva showed them the true nature of things. Similarly, in this context, Thirumal was referred to as “Ayanturai” and is said to have resolved the doubts of both parties. He was described as “Thiruvalandhurai” in the context of traversing time. The temple at Koozhaiyur was managed by the third Kulottunga Chola, Vanavaraya Kovarayar, who visited the temple on the first Monday of Chitrai month in the year 1179 CE. During his divine vision, a serpent appeared in the photo he was taking near the idol. Following this event, Amman, the founder, donated lands to the temple to expand it, as recorded in the temple’s history.

Special Features

Thirumal and Brahma both came to Lord Shiva to resolve their doubts for the first time and until KariKala Chola came and worshiped, many miracles occurred in this temple. In the Salem district, the Vellaru River, which flows through Perambalur, Ariyalur, and Kadalur districts, is turbulent near Parangippettai on the coast. The river is also called Neiva River, a name given by Sage Vashishta. There is a legend associated with the river’s origin due to Arjuna’s arrow, leading to its formation. When Arjuna came to worship the sacred hill, he needed water for the puja. He created a spring by piercing the hill with his arrow, and the water flowed from the Gangetic part to the foothills. As the worship continued, Lord Shiva appeared to Arjuna and bestowed him with Pasupatastra. As the river appeared during Arjuna’s time, it is believed to have a history of 5000 years. Due to the specialty of this river, many temples are situated on its banks. Among them, there are seven types of temples, known as the Saptha Thurai, including Karaiyanuthurai, Thiruvalandhurai, Thirumandhurai, Aaduthurai, Thiruvattathurai (Thittakudi), Thiruvaraduthurai, and Mudavanthurai. Thirujnanasambandar, who came to worship Nataraja, sang ten hymns about these seven temples.

Festivals

Festivals such as Pradosham and Shivaratri are celebrated at this temple.

Century/Period

1179 CE

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruvalandurai

Nearest Railway Station

Ariyalur

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

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