Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 13th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 13th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
This
place is that Lord Shiva at this place is said to have been worshiped by the
apsaras (Arambais) Ramba, Urvasi and Menaka – the magical beings of the
celestial world. They sought the blessings of Lord Shiva in order to keep their
alluring beauty perennially. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Shiva appeared
before them in the form of Yoga Dakshinamurthy and blessed them with the gift
of perennial youth (Ilamai in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name
Ilambayangkottur, which over a period of time was changed to “Elimiyan Kottur”.
Since the Apsaras (Arambais) worshiped the lord here, he is also praised as Sri
Arambeswarar, This ancient temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.
Swayambu lingam:
On
his march to destroy the three demons (Tiripura Samharam) - Tharakatchan,
Kamalakshan and Vidunmali and protect the Devas, Lord Shiva passed through this
place in a chariot. During this journey, the garland (kondrai flowers in Tamil)
from Lord Shiva’s neck fell down at this place and became a swayambu lingam. As
this lingam is considered to have been formed from the lord’s garland the lord
here is considered to be “Theendathirumeni” (untouched by human hands). During
the march, it is believed that all the devas who were under the commands of
Lord Shiva stopped and worshipped this swayambu lingam. Hence this lingam here
is praised as “Daiva Nayaka Easwarar” (literally translated as “the lord who
was worshiped by the rest of the gods”).
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This lingam is
not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is
“Theendathirumeni”. Clothes and flowers are being offered with the help of a
stick.
·
This is an east
facing temple and it has one corridor. Instead of a main tower (Rajagopuram),
there is an arch type entrance.
·
Lord Dakshinamurthy
can be seen here as Yoga Dakshinamurthy and is in unique posture - with his
right hand placed on his chest (“Chin muthirai” in Tamil).
·
The Swayambu
lingam here is mixture of white and red colours and is covered most of the
times by a metal sheet (Kavacham).
·
It is said that
every year from April 2 to 7 and from September 5 to 11, sun rays fall directly
on the lingam in this temple. During that time, it is believed that the Sun God
(Suryan) is worshiping Lord Shiva.
·
This temple is
considered to be significant for its three important attributes – Murthy,
Sthalam and Theertham - glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the
auspicious temple tank.
TEMPLE
INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Arambeswarar, Sri Chandrasekarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Kanaka Kujambikai, Sri Kodenthu Mulaiyammai |
|
Theertham |
Chandra Theertham / Malligai Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Jasmine (Mara Malligai) - not the plant but the
Tree |
BELIEF:
As
the Lord Deivanayaka Easwarar is considered to have been worshiped by rest of
the gods, devotees believe that worshiping Lord Shiva here would negate the ill
effects of previous births.
Lord
Yoga Dakshinamurthy is very famous in this temple and worshiping him on full
moon night is considered to be auspicious. It is believed that worshiping this
lord would relieve any ill effects from planet Jupiter (Guru in Tamil). Also,
it is believed that since Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy blessed Arambais with the
gift of perennial youth, worshiping him at this place will give devotees a
charismatic personality.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Arudra
Dharisanam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Ilambaiyangkottur
is at a distance of about 24 kms from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and
Perambakkam. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu.
From
Koovam, it is about 6 kms. Koovam is on the Chennai to Arakkonam road.
From
Kanchipuram Ilambaiyangkottur is about 25 kms.
TEMPLE ADDRESS:
Sri Deivanayakeswarar
Temple,
Ilambaiyangkottur,
Kappangkottor,
Edaiyarpakkam Via,
Sriperumpudur,
Kanchipuram,
Tamil Nadu – 631553.
LOCATION:
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