Solace for the childless
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After over 150 years, Kumbabhishekam of this temple is held today. LAKSHMI VENKATRAMAN
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PARVATI: Known here as Vandarkuzhali.
Thiruvalangadu, with its Sanskrit name, Vata-Aranyeswaram, is a village situated to the north-east of Thiruvavaduthurai on the Mayiladuthurai-Kumbakonam road, on the southern banks of the Cauvery. This area once was rich in banyan vegetation and hence the name. Banyan, incidentally, is the sthalavriksham.
Mahavidwan Meenakshisundaram Pillai of Thiruvavaduthurai Adeenam has written about the temple in this village in Thiruthuruthi Puranam. This temple was famous during the reign of Kulothunga-III of the Chola dynasty, who had renovated the temple of Vatavaranyeswarar and Puthrakameswarar and worshipped the Lord. After over 150 years, Mahakumbabhishekam is being held today (June 17). This temple was built by the Chola king Kulothunga-I during his reign (1178-1218 A.D.) and is at present under the management of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adeenam.
Neglected
A recent visit to the temple revealed that this ancient temple had been neglected. Several sculptures of deities have obviously been stolen or damaged.
According to legend, one Bharata and his wife Subadra used to pray to Lord Siva for a child. One day, a heavenly voice said that if they went to Thiruvalangadu and worshipped Vata-Aranyeswarar they would be blessed with a child. The couple went there, took a dip in the temple tank and conducted a Puthrakameshti Yaga. In addition to the Ganesha shrine already available, they also built a shrine for Santhana Pillaiyar and worshipped Him. This is a kshetra of Dwajaganapathi or Rettaipillaiyar.
Pleased with the yaga, Lord Siva made goddess Parvathi be born as their daughter and He Himself was born as Puthrakameswarar. Thus there are two main deities here and the Goddess here is known as Vandarkuzhali or Bhramaraalakambika.
Patala Nandi
RENOVATED: Tiruvalangadu Temple. PHOTO: R.SIVAJI RAO.
An unusual feature is that Nandi is below ground level, and is known as Patala Nandi. The tank to the right of the main gopuram is known as Puthrakameswra teertham.The figure of Lord Dakshinamurthy here appears very young and the accompanying Sanakadi rishis appear rather old. Lord Yama has a separate shrine and is seen with his consort Chaturmata and Chitraguptan. A popular belief is that Lord Siva Himself was relieved of the `Sani dosha' here. The temple's annual festival is held in the Tamil month of Panguni, and on the Amavasya day of that month is held the Puthrakameswara teertha festival. In the month of Aadi is celebrated the `Valaikappu' of the Goddess (adorning the Goddess with bangles).
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