Sri Valampura Nathaswamy Temple temple faces east and was built in the mada style. The temple tank sits in front of the temple, with a Vinayagar temple on its banks. Eranda Maharishi is located near the Vinayagar Shrine. The Rishabam and Balipeedam stand in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The plaster images of Lord Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar, and Murugan adorn the top of the Sanctum Sanctorum entrance. Moolavar is of Swayambhu and Prithvi Lingam. There is a shallow at the top. Sambrani and Punugu sattam are used.
Suriyan, Vinayagar, Nalvar, Viswanathar, Murugan, Ramanathar, and Gajalakshmi are among the Prakaram characters. The image of Pichadanar, known as Vattanai Nayagar, is exquisite.
ARCHITECTURE
This Sri Valampura Nathaswamy Temple is one of the Mada Koil temples, which includes the Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum rests atop a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The bhitti begins with Vedigai. Vishnukantha pilasters feature kalasam, kudam, mandi, palagai, and Vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The sanctum sanctorum features a two-tiered stucco vesara Vimanam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Thirugnanasambandar had sung hymns in favour of Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence the ancient Mada Temple may have existed before the 7th century. It is believed that Ko Chengat Chozha erected the original Mada-style temple, which was then reconstructed as a stone temple by Chozhas and expanded during the Vijayanagara period.
The inscription found in this temple belongs to Vikrama Chozha, Rajathirajan-II, and Kulothunga Chozha-III. According to the inscriptions, this location was known as Rajarajavalanattu Akkurnattu Thalachangattu Thiruvalampuram (Vikrama Chozha), Jayangkonda Chozha valanattu, and Akkurnattu Thalachangattu Thiuvalampuram (Kulothunga Chozha). Lord Shiva was referred to as Thiruvalampuri Udayar, whereas Ambal was known as Thadangan Nachiyar.
In Vikrama Chozha’s 6th reign year inscription, idols of Koothadu Thevar (Natarajar) and his pirattiyar (Sivakami), Palliyarai Pirattiyar, are constructed, and Kulothunga Chozhavalanattu Vilanattu, Alangudi Velan Kandaradithan, donates 2.25 veli land for worship.
Thiruvalampuram Village Sabha, which met in Mummudi Chozhan Perambalam, provided service to this temple. According to the Rajathirajan era inscription, Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu melmalai Pazhayanurar donated some of the temple’s idols.
Legend
Legend has it that Thirumal received the Valampuri sangu (conch) after worshiping Lord Shiva at this temple.
This tradition is also related to the Erandamuni of Kottaiyur and Thiruvalanchuzhi, who entered the Cauvery River at Thiruvalanchuzhi and emerged at this location. According to the Sthala Purana, after Adhiseshan emerged from Patala Loka, the Kaveri River entered Patala Loka through the hole by which Adhiseshan exited. The Chozha monarch was exceedingly concerned and prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, in the shape of a divine voice/asariri, warned them that if the King or a Maharishi went into the hole and died, the Kaveri would flow normally.
The Chozha King Harithuvajan visited Kottaiyur, where the sage Eranda Maharishi was performing penance under an erandam plant. The King explained the problem and sought his advice. The Eranda Maharishi traveled to Thiruvalanchuzhi and entered the hole. The Kaveri river emerged and flowed in its original direction. The Eranda muni visited Thiruvalampuram. A temple for Eranda Munivar (Jeeva Samadhi) stands in front of the main temple.
According to tradition, Maha Vishnu performed a penance on Lord Shiva after leaving Mahalakshmi to aid Parvati. After completing the penance, Lord Shiva thanked Maha Vishnu and gave him the Chakkra and Gatha. Ma Parvati also handed Maha Vishnu the conch, sangu, and padmam.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Aside from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani (Aug – Sept), Skanda sashti and Annabishekam in the month Aippasi (Oct – Nov), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai (Nov – Dec), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi (Dec – Jan), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi (Feb – March), Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni (Arch – April), Pichadanar festival in the month Thai (Jan
Sri Valampura Nathaswamy Temple timings
The temple will be open from 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
How to reach
The temple is located near Kadaimudi, on the Mayiladuthurai-Poompuhar bus route.
Near Melayur on the bus route Sirkazhi-Poompuhar.
The temple is located 3.6 kilometres from Thalachangadu, 6.6 kilometres from Akkur, 12 kilometres from Sembanarkoil, 17.5 kilometres from Sirkazhi, 21 kilometres from Mayiladuthurai, 57 kilometres from Kumbakonam, and 255 kilometres from Chennai.
The nearest railway station is Sirkazhi.
Sri Valampura Nathaswamy Temple Location
Melaperumpallam is located near Tiruvenkadu and Poompuhar, approximately 18 kilometres from Sirkazhi and 22 kilometres from Mayiladuthurai.
Temples in Tamilnadu is popularly called as the Land of Temples that are scattered across the state.
Nearby Temples: Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple, Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple, Yazhmurinathar Temple, Pallavaneswarar Temple, Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Pallavaneswarar Temple