The temple is noted for its three important
attributes are Murthy, Sthala and Theertha the Glory of Lord, Sacredness of the land
and the spring. Mother graces facing south on the Sri Chakra
Peeta. Rice is offered as nivedhana.
Lord Shiva here is named Deiva Nayaka Easwarar after the
event of his assuming the Commandership of the Deva forces against the
demons. He is also praised as Arambeswarar as He graced the Aramba
women belonging to the celestial world. The place was named after this
event as Arambayankattoor that changed as Ilumbiyankattor in the days that
followed. Moon-Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva after a dip in the Mallika
Pushkarini theertha and got relieved from the curse of Daksha. It is
firmly believed that the soul would be totally relieved from the cycle of
births and deaths, if one bathes in the Mallika Pushkarini Theertha.
On His march to destroy the demons to protect the Devas,
Lord Shiva passed through this place, once a forest of dense Jasmine
trees. Lord Vinayaka broke the axis of Lord?s chariot as He passed
without worshipping Him. Lord Vishnu held the car from falling
down. The kondrai garland on Shivas neck fell down and became a swayambulinga.
Saint Tirugnanasambandar was returning through this way
after visiting Shiva temples. Lord Shiva in the guise of an old man
asked the saint to sing the praise of Lord who was in that place, but the
saint could not see and returned. Lord again intercepted the saint
in the form a cow, showed the place and insisted His demand. Saint was too
happy and sang in praise of the Lord.
Arambas the virgins of the celestial world, prayed to Lord to
help them keep their alluring beauty perennially. Lord appeared
before them as Yoga Dakshinamurthy and granted their boon. Prayer to
Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy will grace the devotee an enticing personality, it is
believed. Lord Shiva, worshipped by the virgins is gracing us near
the entrance of the temple facing west ensuring all the 16 benefits as
education, prosperity, courage, success etc.
Moolavar: Deivanayaka Easwarar, Deivanaatheswarar,
Chandrasekar, Arambeswarar
Amman / Thayar: Kanakakujambikai, Kodenthu Mulaiammai
Thala Virutcham: Mara Mallikai (Jasmine)
Theertham: Mallika Pushkarini
Agamam / Pooja: Kameekam
Old year: 1000-2000 years old
Historical Name: Ilambayankattoor
Pathigam: Sambandar
This shivasthalam temple is located 4 Kms from Perambakkam. Travel to Perambakkam from Tiruvellore. Frequent bus services
from Tiruvellore to Perambakkam are available. Eventhough the temple is
connected with fairly a good road from Perambakkam, there is not enough bus
services to Elambayankottur. Hence it is advisable to hire an auto from
Perambakkam to visit the temple.
The temple is praised in the hymns of saint
Tirugnanasambandar with a poetic beauty describing the environment of the place
filled with plays of elephants and peacocks in pairs, where Lord acknowledges
his song as His own. It is in this place of all beauty, named Ilambayankattoor, Lord Shiva has chosen His Abode. This is 13th shrine in Thondaimandalam region praised Thevaram hymns.
Lord Shiva appears so soft here as the petals of Kondrai
flower. Cow Puja (Gopuja) is performed daily in the temple. From April 2 to 7
and from 5 to 11 in September, Sun God worships the Lord with his rays.
Guru (Jupiter) transit days
Maha Shivrathri in
February-March
Arudra Darshan in December-January
Tirukarthikai in
November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
All ill effects on the devotee would vanish if he/she
prays to Deivanayaka Easwarar.
Those affected by adverse aspects of Jupiter planet, worship
Yoga Dakshinamurthy with abishek and archanas.
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.