Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Kapardeeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Brihannayaki, Periyanayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tiruvalamchuzhi
Vriksham:	Vilvam	Teertham:	Kaveri river, Arasilar river, Jata Teertham
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6 to 12 & 4 to 8	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar, Appar	Temple set: Kumbakonam Sapta Sthanam, Pazhaiyarai Pancha Krosha Sthalam, Mahalingar parivara sthalam
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tiruvalanchuzhi	District:	Thanjavur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Kumbakonam (8 km)	Thanjavur (35 km)
	Ariyalur (43 km)	Mayiladuthurai (46 km)

Location

Tiruvalanchuzhi is located about 7km from Kumbakonam, and 2km from Swamimalai.

Sthala puranam and temple information

Kaveri river, which was enshrined in kamandalam of Agastyar, was liberated by Vinayakar and she started flowing towards Chola naadu. When informed of the arrival of the holy river, King Haridhwajan received her with pujas and prayers. The river took a right turn around Lord Siva, circumambulating him (valan-chuzhi) and entered a hole near the Lord (called the piladwaram). The king tried his best to block it but was unsuccessful. He took the help of sage Herandar, who took the shape of a bee as ordained by Lord Siva and blocked the hole. The Kaveri started flowing again, out of the earth. Since the Kaveri came up from here, this place is also called Melakaveri. The temple is primarily a Chola period construction, and has some beautiful architecture and intricately carved pillars and walls.

This temple more popular for Vellai Pillaiyar and recognised for the crafted stone (palagaNi) at the Pillaiyar sannidhi. Vinayakar was made the froth from the ocean when parkadal was being churned by devas and asuras. Indra visited many Siva temples carrying the Vinayakar made of froth, to get rid of the curse he received from Ahalya. When he reached this place, Vinayakar requested Lord Siva to let him stay here permanently. Acceding to his request, Lord Siva appeared in the form of a small boy in front of Indra, who requested the boy to carry the Vinayakar till he returned. But the boy kept the murti on the ground as soon as Indra left. On returning, Indra found the murti under the bali peetham but could not move it. He called Mayan to create a chariot in stone resembling his own, and tried to pull the murti away. Then Vinayakar appeared and told him to worship him every Vinayaka Chathurti day and undertake prayers here. It is believed that Indra visits even today.

Since Vinayakar is made of sea froth, abhishekam with is done here with only camphor.

It is also said that once a king who was visiting here ordered abhishekam to be done to Vellai Pillaiyar. The priest prayed to Vinayakar to save him. Vinayakar in turn cursed the king to be dissolved in abhishekam waters. The king realized his folly and begged for mercy. He was asked to build a mandapam before night fall to be relieved of the curse. Mannipu manadapam stands witness to this.

Perhaps the most prominent reason for this temple’s association with Vinayakar, is the legend that His marriage was solemnized here! His consorts are Kamalambal (born from the eyes of Lord Vishnu) and Vani (born from the speech of Brahma), who are considered Siddhi and Buddhi, respectively,

Sage Durvasa once conducted a yagam here, at which many sages were present. Some of them installed lingams on their own, for their worship. About 20 of these lingams can be seen in the outer prakaram.

It is believed that on Maha Sivaratri day, Adiseshan comes through the piladwaram (refer above) and worships Lord Siva at this temple and also at Tirunageswaram, Tirupampuram and Nagai Karonam.

Amman is to the right of the Lord, in kalyana kolam.

Kali here is special because she is seen with eight arms (astha-bhuja-kali). Similarly, Bhairavar at this temple is considered special and also aggressive. To reduce his malevolent effects, it is believed that Bhairavar’s murti here is slightly cracked, on purpose.

In addition to the palagaNi, this temple is filled with some excellent architectural work.

Arunagirinathar has sung Tiruppugazh hymns here.

Other information for your visit

This temple is one of the Kumbakonam Sapta Sthanam temples. This temple is considered one of the parivara sthalams (Vinayakar sthalam) of the Tiruvidaimaruthur Mahalingaswamy temple. This temple is part of the Pazhayarai Pancha Krosha Sthalams, which is one out of four sets of Pancha Krosha Sthalams in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that visiting these six temples (Pazhayarai, Nallur, Tiruvalanchuzhi, Sakti Muttram, Patteeswaram and Avoor) along with this temple in a single day is be beneficial to devotees.

Kumbakonam is a temple town, and there are a number of temples in and around Kumbakonam. Please visit the pages on Kumbakonam, Near: Kumbakonam, and Near 25: Kumbakonam, for more information on these.

Kumbakonam and its outskirts (including Swamimalai) have several accommodation options for all budgets, including some resorts.

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