Valikandapuram Temple

Valikandapuram is located in Veppanthattai Taluk in Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu, by the eastern banks of Koneri. The main deity in the Temple is Vaaleswarar and his consort, Valambigai or Bhrihannayaki.

The Legends of Valikandapuram Temple

The Chola dynasty built the Temple even before the Tanjore Brihadeeswarar Temple or the Big Temple. There are around 130 stone inscriptions, some known to be from the Chola king Aditya Chola I, Rajaraja Chola, and the Parantaka Chola period. Legends have it that Krishnadevaraya refined this Temple.

The Legend of Valikandapuram Temple

The Temple has links with Ramayana. It is believed that the Vanara King Vali was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, who is the Temple's presiding deity. This is the reason Shiva here is called Vaaleswarar. The story goes that Vaali created and ruled the city, hence the name Valikandapuram. In the pillars near the Saravana Theertham is a sculpture of Vaali revering Lord Shiva. The legend of Vaali is also inscribed on the pillars.

• The Brahma Connect
  According to Sthala Purana, the Shiva Linga was ordained and worshipped by Lord Brahma on the banks of the Koneri River. Therefore, the presiding deity of the Valikandapuram Temple is also known as Brahmapureeswarar, and the river is also known by the name Brahma Theertham.
• The Pandavas story
  The Pandavas moved south during their exile period and settled in Valikandapuram, which Virada King then ruled. During a dice game with the King, the eldest of the Pandava brothers, Dharma discovered that the King played foul and got angry. Since they were in disguise, the brothers cooled their anger by taking a dip in River Koneri and worshipping Lord Shiva on the banks of the river. It is believed the river got its name because it helped the Pandavas to get rid of their anger.
• The Sangam Era
  There once lived a king named Kandeerakko, and the place came to be known as Kandeeram. Later, when the Vanara King Vaali was associated with the place, it became known as Valikandapuram.

The Architecture of Valikandapuram Temple

The Rajagopuram is typical of the temples in Tamil Nadu. This one is a seven-storied Rajagopuram with European embellishments. The inscriptions from the time of Kulothunga III found in the Temple prove that Shiva in this Temple was called Vaaleswarar. Apart from this, there are plenty of Chola Era engravings and intricately designed statues. The Lingam is lodged inside the sanctum sanctorum facing east.

Mother Valambigai is housed in a separate shrine after the Rajagopuram; the idol faces south. Lord Muruga idol is also found opposite the Sahasra Linga; it is 9 feet tall and is north facing. Other deities include Bala Nandhi, Yavana Nandhi, and Vaaliba Nandi. Inside the Mahamandapam is located Bhairavar with Naga encircling his waist. At the Artha Mandapam entrance, Dwalabalagars are installed. No Temple is complete without Vinayagar, here too; you can find him as you enter the Artha Mandapam. The main sanctum is located after you cross the Bala Nandhi.

The Nawabs attached the Temple in the 18th century destroying many idols; even today, you can see these broken idols opposite the Valambigai shrine.

The highlight of the Temple is the Kuthirai Mandapam; it is also called the Natarajar Mandapam, where the main deity is Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. The architecture of this mandapam is breathtaking, with various carvings in dancing posture on the pillar-like Horsemen, Yali, etc. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Krishna Devaraya. A similar architecture is found in the famous temples of Srirangam, Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, Vellore, and Thiruvannamalai.

Festivals at Valikandapuram Temple

It is a ritual to observe monthly pradosham at Shiva temples, and Vaalieswarar Temple is no exception. At the Murugan Shrine, Adi Krithigai and Tirukarthigai are observed with great devotion.

Benefits of worshipping at Valikandapuram Temple

Lord Vaaleswarar is benevolent, which is recorded in one of the inscriptions in the Temple. The records go like this, Suthamallan Jayamkonda Chozha Vannattudaiyan did not have a child to leave his kingdom. On sincere prayers to Lord Vaaleswarar, he was blessed with a male child. As a mark of gratitude, he gifted the revenues drawn from the Pugazharai Village to the Temple.