The presiding deity is a swayambumurthy. The vimana ? tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabrushta design ? as the back end of an elephant.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
According to mythology, Lord Brahma’s two daughters Kamali and Valli wished to marry Lord Shiva. Knowing that their wish is very difficult to be fulfilled, Lord Brahma sent them to worship Lord Shiva on the banks of river Paalaru. Shiva, being pleased with their penance, appeared before them and told them that it is not possible for them to marry Him as He is already married to Parvathi and advised them to marry Lord Ganapathy. Accordingly Lord Ganapathy, after conquering the demon king Gajamukasuran, came to Thiruvalidhaayam and married Kamali and Valli. Planet Jupiter incurred a curse of Menaka, wife of his elder brother. As advised by Rishi Markandeya, he reached this place, had a dip in the sacred spring and worshipped Lord Shiva and gained relief from the curse. It is the faith of the devotees that praying to Jupiter in this temple would be an effective remedy for relief from sins.According to history, Lord Vinayaka married Kamali and Valli, daughters of Lord Brahma.
Thi is supported by the procession idol of Lord Vinayaka in this wedding form. The temple assumes more importance as it is situated around 11 sacred places as a garland. It is the staunch faith of the devotees that a visit and worship in the temple would benefit them with total salvation. Jupiter shrine in the prakara is facing Lord Shivas shrine with another shrine for Sri Anjaneya in a worshipping form.Lord Shiva is entitled to all pujas. He is praised as Bali (puja) Thayer ? Bali Thayer. Bharadwajar, son of Jupiter was born as the son of a sparrow ? Kari Kuruvi ? also Valian in Tamil. Saddened by his birth as a sparrow, he worshipped Lord Shiva in many sacred places. When he came to this place, he found a Shivalinga under a Kondrai tree and worshipped Him. Lord Shiva appeared before Bharadwajar and made him the leader of birds. Based on this story, the place is called Valithayam and the Lord Valianathar.
![DSCN1932 thumb[3]]( https://holyshrines.in/wp-content/uploads/2017-04/DSCN1932_thumb[3].jpg "Sri Tiruvalleswarar Temple Chennai 42")
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The east gopuram (tower) with 3 tiers is the main entrance to the temple. Inside the main entrance, there is broad inner courtyard on all the four sides of the main shrine. A Nandhavanam along the walls of outer corridor adds beauty to the temple. Entering the inner mandapam, the main sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva is situated. The sanctum is semi-circular in shape at the back. This type of architecture is called Gaja Brishta Vimana or Thoonganai Maadam in Tamil as this resembles the back of a sleeping elephant. The main deity is known as Tiruvalleeswarar and He is facing east and to the right is the shrine for the female deity Jagathambikai. Ambal is seen here facing towards south. A beautiful Simha Vaahanam and Palipeetam faces the Goddess from the southern outer corridor. There is a separate shrine for Guru (Jupiter) – one of the Navagrahas – in the eastern outer corridor and this temple is also considered as a Guru Parikara Sthalam. Guru Bhagwan is seen here facing towards west.
On the 4 walls of the inner corridor encircling the main sanctum sanctorum, there are sculptured images of Sun God, Balasubramania with 4 hands, Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durgai etc. There are separate shrines inside the temple for Somaskandar, Murugan with his concerts Valli and Deivanai, Anjaneyar and Meenakshi Sundareswarar. There is also a sivalingam supposed to have been worshipped by Sage Bharadwaj Maharishi. The pillars in this temple have beautifully carved images of Natarajar, Murugan, Kothandaramar, Machavathara Moorthy, Koormavadhara Moorthy etc. The sthala viruksham (temple tree) is Paadhiri and the theertham is Bharatvaja Theertham
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The Nearest Bus Stand is Padi Bus Stop, TVS Industries, Padi, Chennai. This will connect all the places to Chennai
By Rail
The Nearest Railway Station is Chennai Central Railway Station, General Hospital Road, Kannappar Thidal, Periyamet, Chennai.This will connect all the places in Tamil Nadu
By Air
The Nearest Airport is Chennai International Airport, GST Rd, Chennai.
Shrine Timings
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, Thai Kruthikai in January-February and Jupiter(Guru) transit days.
