Gnanapureeswarar, Tiruvadisoolam, Kanchipuram

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Gnanapureeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Goparathnambikai, Imayamadakkodi
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tiruidaichuram
Vriksham:	Vilvam	Teertham:	Madhura Teertham
Agamam:	Sivagamam	Age (years):	1000-2000
Timing:	8 to 12 & 4 to 7	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Tondai Naadu)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tiruvadisoolam	District:	Kanchipuram
Maps from (click):	Current location	Kanchipuram (48 km)	Chennai (61 km)
	Tiruvallur (63 km)	Vellore (126 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

Once, a shepherd noticed that one of his cows was not yielding as much milk as the others. So he followed her, and was surprised to see the cow pouring milk from its udders, into a bush. The shepherd brought this to the attention of the village elders, who unearthed a Swambhu murti Lingam from the spot, and later built a temple. It was then revealed to them that the cow was no other than Parvati in earthly form, and so She is worshipped here as Govaradhanambika.

Sambandar, during his travels to various temples in Tamilakam, reached this place fatigued, and thirsty. A shepherd boy brought him a pot of curd, which Sambandar gratefully consumed. After this, the boy asked the saint about his travels, and Sambandar responded with stories of the temples he had visited. In response, the boy insisted that Sambandar follow him to a temple nearby, but after some distance, the boy disappeared. Sambandar prayed to Siva for help, and the Lord told him that this was his own Tiruvilaiyadal, and that it was in fact He who had come as the shepherd boy to help Sambandar quench his thirst.

When Siva left Kailasam to give Sambandar the curd, Parvati got ready to accompany Him. But the Lord told her that Sambandar would easily recognise Her as his divine mother, since he had drunk the milk She had given him at Sirkazhi, and so asked her to stay back. Amman at this temple is depicted with one leg forward, as though about to move.

In Tamil, idai means middle and churam means forests or hills. This temple is located between Tiruporur (south of Chennai) and Chengalpattu, in a green area amidst hills, and hence the place gets the name Tiru-Idai-Churam. Over time, this has been corrupted to Tiruvadisoolam, and then interpolated as the place where the Goddess’ feet touched the earth.

The moolavar Lingam here is said to be made of maragatham (emerald), and its shine is even referred to in Sambandar’s pathigam on this temple. The temple tank is regarded as the place where the shepherd boy disappeared and Siva appeared to Sambandar, and is called Katchi Kulam. Murugan is depicted seated in sukhasanam, with Valli and Devasena.

This ancient temple is regarded as being over 2000 years old, and the structural temple was built by the Cholas in the 10^th or 11^th century. At that time, the temple had only a mottai gopuram, and the rajagopuram that it sports today was built in more recent times by the government and local authorities. Sage Gautama as well as the Sanat Kumaras are believed to have worshipped at this temple.

Since Sambandar’s story is about refreshment after his fatigue, this place is considered a prarthana sthalam for those with problems in their legs.