Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 12th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 12th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
One more legend is that
King Sivathithan who ruled Thiruvural was troubled by demon Thakkan. The King
prayed to Lord Shiva of this temple who instructed Goddess Kali to destroy the
demon. Goddess Kali executed the orders of Lord Shiva. For this reason, there
is a separate shrine for Goddess Kali at the border of this place. This shrine
attracts a large number of devotees. It is believed that since Thakkan cried
loudly before being killed by Goddess Kali, this place got the name Thakkan
Olam – Thakkolam ("Olam" meaning crying loudly).Another reason why
this place is named “Thakkolam” is that the sacred tree of this temple is also
called “Thakkolam” (Pottu). Periyapuranam
refers to this place as “Kalikai Maanagar”.
Sage
Udhadhi:
Sage Theerkadar was
born to Sage Udhadhi the brother of Jupiter (Guru) and Mamathai. Theerkadar was
well educated and became a scholar. One day he saw the divine cow Kamadenu near
his hermitage. He requested Kamadenu to come with him and assist him in a yajna
that he was about to conduct. Kamadenu said that she could not oblige him
without the permission of Lord Indira. The sage tried to tie her but she cursed
him to become an ordinary, blind man who would spend the rest of his life doing
menial jobs (“sandalan” in Tamil). In turn the sage cursed Kamadenu to become
an ordinary animal losing her divine powers.
Sage Udhathi was
saddened by the plight of his son. He came to this place on the advice of
Maharishi Naradha, and worshiped the Lord Jalanatheeswarar. Lord Shiva gave
dharisanam to the sage and advised him to pray to Nandhi and requested him to
bring water from the holy Ganges to this place. He further advised the sage to
perform abishekam with that holy water. To carry out the lord’s wishes, Sage
Udhathi installed a separate shiva lingam and a Nandhi near to the
Jalanatheeswarar temple and started his penance. This Shivalingam is praised as
Sri Gangadhareswarar and this temple is called Sri Gangadhareswarar temple. The
Goddess of this temple is named as Sri Mohanavalli. It is believed that Nandhi
was pleased with his penance and created a tank near this temple and filled it
with water from the Ganges itself. He is believed to have channelled water from
the Ganges through his mouth. Thereafter the sage performed abishekam to Lord
Jalanatheeswarar with this water to complete his worship. He also named
the lord as “Thiruvooral Easwarar”. He advised his son Theerkadar to take a dip
in the water tank and pray to Lord Shiva and Theerkadar is believed to have
been relieved from Kamadenu’s curse.
Kamadenu
worshipped here:
Kamadenu, the divine
cow, is also believed to have worshipped the lord here by pouring milk on the
lingam. She was relieved from Theerkadar’s curse and got back her original form
and power. On knowing this, Lord Indiran is believed to have come to
Thiruvooral and taken her back to the celestial world.
Theenda
Thirumeni:
Goddess Parvathi
returned to this place after having been insulted at her father Dakshan’s
yagna. She is believed to have installed a lingam made of sand here. Once she
was performing her penance, this region was inundated by flood water. In order
to protect the lingam, Goddess Parvathi embraced it. This is evident from the
markings that can still be seen on the idol. Since this Lingam is have been
embraced by Goddess Parvathi, it is not touched by human hands.
Demon
Thakkan:
Demon Thakkan is that
when he conducted a huge yagna, he invited all celestial gods except Lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva wanted to teach him a lesson and instructed Veerabathrar to
disrupt the yagna. Veerabathrar stopped the yagna and punished Thakkan by
removing his head and installed a goat’s head in its place. Thakkan realised
his mistake and prayed to Lord Shiva to pardon him. Lord Shiva advised him to
go the river bank and asked him to invite Lords Vinayakar, Mahavishnu and
Brahma to witness his prayers. On Thakkan’s request, Lords Vinayakar,
Mahavishnu and Brahma came to witness his prayers. Since Thakkan’s head had
been replaced with that of a goat, his prayer sounded like the bleating of a
goat. These prayers are called “Chamakam” and each line ends with syllable
“may”. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva blessed him with salvation
(moksham).
People
who worshipped here:
Sage Samvartha, Lords
Mahavishnu, Indiran, Suryan, Chandran, Yama (lord of death), Saptha Kannikas
(the seven divine virgins), Pandavas and Savitha Sivachariyar have also
worshipped the Lord of this temple to seek absolution for their sins.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
Lord Shiva in
this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This lingam is not touched
by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
·
The 3-tiers main
tower (Rajagopuram) is facing the west and has two corridors. The Moolavar’s
shrine is facing east.
·
The Shiva Lingam here is significantly
different. It is said that during the six months covering Utharayana Punya Kala
(from January-February to June-July), the Shivalingam appears red. During the
Dakshinayana Punya Kala (from July-August to December-January), the Shivalingam
turns white.
·
Lord Dakshinamurthy’ can be seen in a
unique posture - in a seated posture. He has his head slightly tilted, legs
crossed as if he is hearing all your requests. This is one of the most
celebrated Dakshinamurthy temples in Tamil Nadu.
·
Goddess Parvathi of this temple attracts
a large number of devotees. She can be seen in standing posture facing north.
Poojas are performed first to her and then only to Lord Shiva.
·
Goddess Durgai’s posture is also
different here - it is in a dancing form (Nadana Durgai) and looks very
beautiful.
·
Every sculpture in this temple
highlights the artistic excellene of that era.
·
Though there is a small tank inside the
temple in the second corridor, there is no water in it.
·
The sacred tree of this temple is said
to be Pottu (Thakkolam) but now there is no such tree in the temple.
·
The unique feature of this temple is
that the idols of lords Vinayakar, Brahma and Mahavishnu can be seen here in a
seated posture as they are believed to have sat and witnessed Thakkans prayers.
TEMPLE
INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Jalanatheeswarar, Sri Umapatheeswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Giriraja Kannikambhal, Sri Umaiyammai |
|
Theertham |
Parvathi Theertham, Sathya Gangai and Kusasthalai
river |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Pottu tree (Thakkolam tree) |
BELIEF:
Devottes believe that
any good deeds perform in this temple would bring them multifold benefits.
This is one of the most
celebrated Dakshinamurthy temples in Tamil Nadu.
This temple is also
famous as a parihara sthalam for doshas related to Guru (planet Jupitar).
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
April-May |
10-day Brahmotsavam |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda
Shashti |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
Vaikasi Visakam |
|
Aani |
June-July |
Aani
Tirumanjanam |
|
Adi |
July-Aug |
Aadi Puram |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maasi
Maham |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Thai Poosam |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thakkolam
is situated at a distance of about 26 kms from Kanchipuram on Kanchipuram to
Arakkonam route. From Arakkonam, it is about 12 kms.
From
Thiruvallur it is about 27 kms.
Thakkolam
has a railway station and this temple is 5 kms away from the station.
TEMPLE ADDRESS:
Sri Jalanatheeswarar
Temple,
Thakkolam,
Arakkonam,
Vellore,
Tamil Nadu 631 151.
LOCATION:
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