Thiruvalam is situated close to Ranipet and the Temple is a stone throw distance away from the iron bridge under which River Neeva or River Ponnai flows. It is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam and the 10th of its kind in Thondai Naadu. It is not sure if the Temple has been built by the Pallavas or Cholas but both of them had a big hand in promoting this Temple. Infact several inscriptions pertaining to King Raja Raja Chola is seen here. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is Sri Vilwanatheshwarar who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The Temple has a muilti tiered South facing Rajagopuram along with three Prahaarams or Corridors. At the outset there is a multi pillared mandapam in which there are Sub Shrines for Bala Ganapathi, Iyyapan and Mouna Guru Swami. Beyond it the huge tin sheeted corridor and on the right side there is a Ghoshala next to which is the Sacred Tank or a Pushkarani named as Gowri Theertham. On the left of the corridor there is a Sub Shrine for Rajarajeswarar and Ambikeshwari. There is also a black Idol of Valampuri Vinayagar and a Athma LIngeswarar. A huge chiselled bowl kept close to it with various caricatures depicting Kolaatam, a game played by ladies of yester years is eye captivating. The threshold of the Moolasthanam has a pair of Dwara Baalakas. In the Sanctum Sanctorum God Vilvanatheswarar is seen as a Swayambhu Lingam facing East. At the doorsteps of the Moolasthanam Shivan, Pillayar and Nandhi Bhagwan are all immersed and kept cool under water and Divine flower petals are sprinkled on top of it and this attracts the attention of most Devotees visiting this Temple.  Generally in all the Shiva Temples the Nandhi Vaahanam could be facing the Moolasthanam only. Strangely in this Temple all the Nandhi Vaahanam are facing away from the Main Deity of Vilwanatheswarar. One particular Nandhi Vaahanam is so huge and painted in white colour whereas the others are made of black Vigraham. There is a small and black Adhikara Nandhi Vigraham is placed facing the Moolasthanam and close to the Dwajasthambam and Bali Peedam. The Temple gains importance since it is believed that Maha Vishnu visited this Temple to worship Shiva and hence the Divine Feet of Maha Vishnu is seen here. Close to the Moolasthanam Adhi Sankara Narayanamoorthy and Urchava Vigrahams. It is believed that a Demon Kanjan use to trouble people of this area and on the request of a Preist, Lord Shiva under took to kill the Demon. He therefore instructed Nandhi Bhagwan to kill the Demon. Hence Nandhi Bhagwan shredded Kanjan to pieces and his 8 vital organs where strewn all over. On seeking pordon Lord Shiva Blessed Kanjan and told that wherever his body parts and blood were scattered a Shiva Lingam would come out of it. The Consort of Vilwanatheswarar is Sri Thanumathi Ambal who is also known as Sri Vaalambikai. She is found in a East facing Shrine and some Devotees refer Her as Theekaali Ambal. There are Sub Shrines for Nirutha Ganapathy, Dakshinamoorthy, Kari Manicka Perumal, Maha Vishnu, Brahmma, Kanaga Durgai, Chandikeshwarar, Natarajar Brahmmi and Naagar. In the inner peripherals the 63 Nayanmaars are very well displayed with the Moolava Naayanmaars in the bottom layer and the Urchava Nayanmaars on the upper layer. The outer peripheral has Sub Shrines for Sivagami Ammai Udanurai Natarajar, Mouna Guru, Agora Veerabadrar, Naalvar, Sani Bhagwan, Kani Vangiya Vinayagar, Naagar, Kaala Bhairavar, Kasi Viswanathar, Chandramouleeswarar, Arunachaleswarar, Sadasivar, Anathar, Sri Kandar, Ambikeshwarar, Sahasra Lingeswarar, Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar, Guru Easwarar, Vishnu Easwarar, Vidhadhura Eashwarar, Vallabha Ganapathi, Subramaniyar, Nirudhi Ganapathi, Mahalakshmi, Maha Saraswathi, Chandikeshwari, Brahmmi, Sri Durgai, Karthyayini, Sundareshwarar, Meenakshi Ambal, Bhairavar, Navagraha Sannadhi and Surya Bhagwan. This Temple is unique since on top of the Natarajar Shrine are 27 Star Idols for various Nakshatrams which is a treat to watch. The Sthala Viruksham of the Temple is a VIlvam Tree and the Theertham is a Gouri Theertham. The Temple has a Temple Kitchen or a Madapalli and this Govt. Temple collects fund and conducts free Annadhanam to several visiting here. Devotees who come and Pray to Him would never get re-birth and hence this Temple is considered on par with the Viswanathar Temple in Kasi / Varanasi and is considered as a Mukthi Sthalam.

Contact Details:  0416 - 2236088, Umapathi Sivachariar 98949 22166, Chellappa Sivachariar 90433 63818 and Madhavan Iyer 89035 00418

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM

Distance from Ranipet to Thiruvalam is 9 Kms

Distance from Katpadi to Thiruvalam is 15 Kms

Distance from Vellore to Thiruvalam is 18 Kms

Distance from Sholingur to Thiruvalam is 35 Kms

Distance from Kancheepuram to Thiruvalam is 57 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Thiruvalam is 125 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Mukundarayapuram R.S

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