Sri Chalanatheeswarar Temple

Overview

The Chalanatheeswarar Temple is a Hindu shrine situated at the village Thakkolam, in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is quite ancient and is primarily dedicated to God Shiva.

About the Temple

Ancient scriptures reveal that the divine cow Kamadenu had worshipped the Lord at this place. It is also believed that any good deed done by a devotee in pleasing Lord Shiva here, would bring them 100 fold benefits. Goddess Shakthi Devi graces here in the standing position and facing the direction north. It is an age old tradition followed here that the first puja is offered to the Goddess, even before the chief deity Lord Shiva. The temple also houses various other such as Ambica, Kali, Muruga and Dakshinamurthy. One unique feature of this temple is the presence of Lord Dhakshinamoorthi in the dancing form, which can be seen in no other Shiva temple. Lord Muruga here has been praised by the famous saivite Saint Arunagirinathar in his work, the Tirupugazh.

The region was once believed to have been inundated by flood waters and as a result, Mother Parvathi had embraced the Linga. This is evident from the hollow mark found on the idol. Even then, the flood waters eroded the bottom side of the Linga leaving such lines on the body. As it is believed that Mother Parvathi is still embracing the Linga, pujas are performed by the priests without touching it. This is a special feature found only in this temple.

The Shiva Linga present in this temple is also unique in a way. During the first six months of the year, covering the Utharayana Punya Kala (from January-February to June-July), the Shivalinga appears red as the crops are fertile due to sufficient rainfall. During the Dakshinayana Punya Kala (from July-August to December-January), the Linga turns white since that is considered as the drought period. All the sculptures found in this temple are well crafted which finely showcases the brilliance of Tamil craftsmen.

Acccording to legends, the Lord here has been worshipped by the divine cow Kamadenu, Indira, Chandra, Yama, the Saptha Kannikas (seven divine virgins), Sages Uthadhi and Theerkatha.

The temple is situated on the bank of Kallaru. It is built west facing with a 3 tiered Rajagopuram which was constructed in 1543 AD. The Vijayanagara king named Veera Prathaba Sadasiva Maharayar is credited to have constructed the Rajagopuram. The temple also has two prakaras (corridors). The Garbhagriha of the Lord faces the east while the Ambica graces facing the direction south. Deities like Lords Nataraja, Aiyappan and Navagraha graces from their respective sannidhis found in the Mahamandapa. The first precinct has the shrines of the Panchalingams, Dakshinamurthy, Lord Muruga along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Mother Mahalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Bhairava, Lord Vishnu, Sun-Surya, Moon-Chandra and the Saptha Madhas. Goddess Shakthi, Sri Vinayaka, Nandhi deva, the temple tank and the Bali peeta are found in the second prakara.

As Daksha (Thakkan) cried loudly for the punishment he suffered for conducting a yajna in an unorthodox manner (Thakkan’s Olam – crying loudly) and also as the sacred tree of the place is Thakkolam, the place also is named Thakkolam. As a spring is also flowing from the mouth of Nandhi and from the feet of the Lord, the place is also known as Tiruvooral.

The temple has found mention in religious works such as Thevaram, sung by the revered Saivite Saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. The shrine also holds the 12th position among the various Shiva temples found in Thondai Mandalam region, as praised in Thevaram.

Legends and Stories

Sage Theerkadar was born to Sage Udhadhi, the brother of Jupiter (Guru) and Mamata. Once, Theerkadha saw the divine cow Kamadenu near his hermitage. He had requested the cow to be with him for conducting a yajna. But Kamadenu is said to have not accepted his invitation since she had to ask Indira’s permission. The sage felt insulted and thus cursed the cow to become an ordinary animal, losing all its extraordinary powers. The cow in turn cursed the sage to be engaged in menial jobs.

Sage Udhathi was saddened to see his son doing menial jobs. So, as per Maharishi Narada’s advice, he visited this place to worship the Lord here. Lord Shiva advised the Sage to perform penance on Nandhi and perform abishek to him with the water springing from the Nandhi. The sage did as instructed and thus got his son Theerkadar freed from the curse. Kamadenu too worshipped the Lord here by pouring her milk on the Lord. Therefore she also got back to her original form after getting relived of the curse.

Festivals

The annual Brahmmotsavam spans for a duration of 10 days starting with the Chitra Poornima day in April-May. The festivals of Navarathri, Skanda Sashti, Vaikasi Visakam, Aani Tirumanjanam, Aadi Pooram , Margazhi Tiruvadhirai, Masi Magam, Thai Poosam and Tirukarthikai are well celebrated in this temple.

How To Reach Sri Chalanatheeswarar Temple

Airport

The closest Airport is the Chennai airport.

Railways

The nearest located railway station is the Railway station is Vellore Railway Station.

Road

The nearest bus stop is Thakkolam Bus Stop.

Temple Address

Sri Chalanatheeswarar temple,
Thakkolam – 631 151,
Vellore district, Tamil Nadu.