Sri Chalanatheeswarar temple (Vellor District)

Moolavar	Chalanatheeswarar
Urchavar	-
Amman / Thayar	Giriraja Kannikambal
Thala Virutcham	Thakkolam
Theertham	Parvathi Satya Ganga Theertham Kuchasthalai River
Agamam / Pooja	-
Old year	1000-2000 years old
Historical Name	Tiruvooral
City	Thakkolam
District	Vellore
State	Tamil Nadu

Temple History:

Theerkadar was born to Sage Udhadhi the brother of Jupiter (Guru) and Mamata.  Theerkadha one day saw divine cow Kamadenu near his hermitage.  He requested the cow to be with him for conducting a yajna.  Kamadenu said that it could not oblige him without the permission if Indira.  The sage cursed the cow to become an ordinary and average animal losing its super powers.  The cow in turn cursed the sage to be engaged in menial jobs.

Sage Udhathi was sad to see his son doing menial jobs.  He came to this place as advised by Maharshi Naradha and worshipped the Lord.  Lord Shiva advised Sage Udhathi to perform penance on Nandhi and perform abishek to Him with the water springing from Nandhi.  The sage got his son Theerkadar from the curse.  Kamadenu too worshipped here by pouring the milk on the Lord and was restored to its original form and power.

Temple's Speciality:

According to scriptures, as the divine cow Kamadenu worshipped the Lord in this place, any good deed by devotees pleasing Lord Shiva would bring them 100 fold benefits. Mother Shakti is powerful as She is in standing form facing north. First puja is dedicated to Mother only before offered to Lord. Every deity in the temple – Ambica, Kali, Muruga and Dakshinamurthy – is very powerful and merciful. No where in Lord Shiva temples, Lord Dakshinamurthy graces in dancing form. This is one of the celebrated Dakshinamurthy temples in Tamilnadu. Lord Muruga of the temple is praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his Tirupugazh hymns. When the region was inundated by flood waters, Mother Parvathi embraced the Linga which is evident from the hollow on the idol. Even then, the flood waters eroded the bottom side of the Linga leaving such lines on the body. As it is believed that Mother Parvathi is still embracing the Linga, pujas are performed by the priests without touching it. This is a very special feature in the temple. The Shiva Linga is significantly different here. During the six months covering Utharayana Punya Kala from January-February to June-July, the Shivalinga appears red when crops are fertile due to good rain. During the Dakshinayana Punya Kala from July-August to December-January, the Linga turns white when it will be drought period. Every sculpture in the temple is designed with skill par excellence. They are outstanding example of Tamil Sculpture

Opening Time:

The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Address

Sri Giriraja Kannikambal – Chalanadeeswarar Temple, Thakkolam – 631 151, Vellore district.

Phone

+91- 4177-246 427.

General Information:

According to scriptures, Kamadenu the divine cow, Indira, Moon-Chandra, Yama the Lord of Death, Saptha Kannikas – seven divine virgins, Sages Uthadhi and Theerkatha had worshipped the Lord in this temple.

The temple on the bank of Kallaru is facing west with 3 tier Rajagopuram and two prakaras-corridors.  The shrine of Lord is facing east and Ambica the south.  The Rajagopuram was built in the year 1543 by Vijayanagara king Veera Prataba Sadasiva Maharayar.  Lords Nataraja, Aiyappan and Navagraha shrines are in the Mahamandapa.  Panchalingams, Dakshinamurthy, Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Mother Mahalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Bhairava, Lord Vishnu, Sun-Surya, Moon-Chandra, Saptha Madhas are in the first prakara.  Mother Amman, Lord Shakti Vinayaka, Kulam, Nandhi and the Bali peeta are in the second prakara

Prayers

As divine cow Kamadenu worshipped here, prayers offered here bring 100 fold benefits to the devotee, according to Puranas. Almost prayers are for profitable farm yields.

Thanks giving

Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer pudding-pongal as nivedhana.

Greatness Of Temple

As Daksha (Thakkan) cried loudly for the punishment he suffered for conducting a yajna in an unorthodox manner (Thakkan’s Olam – crying loudly) and also as the sacred tree of the place is Thakkolam, the place also is named Thakkolam.  As a spring is also flowing from the mouth of Nandhi and from the feet of the Lord, the place is also known as Tiruvooral. 

Festival

10 day Brahmmotsavam following Chitra Poornima day in April-May, Navarathri in September-October, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July, Aadi Pooram in July-August Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January, Masi Makam in February-March, Thai Poosam in January-February and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Singers

The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saivite Saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar.   This is the 12th Lord Shiva temple in Thondai Mandalam region praised in Thevaram hymns.

How to reach

This sivasthalam is located about 5 Kms. from Thakkolam railway station which is on the Arakonam - Kancheepuram section of the Southern Railway. Another paadal petra sthalam Tirumarperu is located nearby. Town bus services to Thakkolam via marimangalam and Perambakkam are available from Tiruvallore. Town bus services to Thakkolam are also available from Kancheepuram and Arakonam.

Temple address

Arulmighu Jalanaadeswarar Temple
Takkolam
Takkolam Post
Arakkonam Taluk
Vellore District
PIN 631151