History and tradition
- Architecture
- Tamilan architecture
- First attested
- 7th century
Temple tree
பாதிரி, கொன்றை
Shaiva temple
Tiruvalithayam
திருவலிதாயம்
Tiruvalithayam, Chennai district, Tamil Nadu, India
Details are compiled from Wikimedia projects and published temple sources. Send a correction if something is wrong. Report a correction
Overview
Shiva as Tiruvallesvarar
Consort ஜெகதாம்பிகை
lingam
Shaiva temple
As per Hindu legend, the sage Bharadwaja worshipped the presiding deity in the form of a Valiyan or sparrow. The place was hence called Valithayam, meaning the one worshipped by a sparrow. Padi historically is referred to the place used to store armory. Shiva has been worshipped by Rama, Bharadwaja, Hanuman, Surya, Chandra, Indra, and Valiyan here. During the medieval times, the place was the site for multiple wars, which razed the structure of the temple. As per Tamil, the Tiruvaipaadi is called Padi, which led to the modern name of the place. As per another legend, Brihaspati or Jupiter who was cursed by Menaka. On the advice of Markendeya, he reached this place, got a dip and worshipped the presiding deity and was relieved from the curse. Devotees also pray to Brihaspati here to get relieved from their sins. The historic name of the place is Thiruvalidayil, which went on to become Thiruvalithayam.
Visit information
Sources
Details are compiled from Wikimedia projects and published temple sources. Send a correction if something is wrong.