Jalanatheswarar Temple Guru Sthalam

You may also be interested in the following(s)

Lord Theenda Thirumeni

 
Another story reveals that Goddess Parvati installed a 
lingam made of sand here. One day, while she was 
performing penance, the area was completely flooded 
and to protect the lingam from dissolving, she 
embraced it. This is still evident from the markings on 
the idol. Since the goddess embraced the idol – and is 
still believed to be doing so – not even the priests of 
the temple touch the lingam. Ceremonies are 
performed without any human contact. 
 

Other deities of the temple:- 

 
The temple also has shrines for deities Ganesh, 
Muruga, Saint Sambanthar, Ayyappan, Nataraja, 
Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Maha Vishnu, Durga, Sapta 
Mata, Bhairava, Chandra, Surya, Perumal, 
Mahalakshmi, Nalvars and the Nava Grahas.
 

Unique Features of the Temple 

 
?The Shiva lingam here is unique as during the 
Utharayana period or winter solstice it appears 
red in color, and during Dakshinayana or summer 
solstice, it turns white.
?It’s one of the main remedial temple for doshas 
related to Planet Jupiter or Guru. It is also an 
important Guru Parihara Sthalam after 
Abathsahayeswarar Temple in Alangudi and 
Medha Dakhshinamurthy Temple in 
Mayiladuthurai. Lord Dakshinamurthy appears in 
a unique posture. Seated, his head slightly tilted, 
his left leg raised and placed on a platform, the 
south facing god removes afflictions and fulfills 
wishes. 
 
?Ceremonies to the goddess Sri Giriraja 
Kannigambal or Sri Umaiyammai attract large 
number of devotees. She appears in a standing 
posture facing north. Poojas are performed to her 
first and then to her consort Lord Shiva. 
?Goddess Durga looks charming as she’s seen in a 
dancing form called Nadana Durga.
?Poet-Saint Arunagirirnathar sung praises of 
Muruga in this temple, revered in Thiruppugazh, a
15th century anthology of Tamil religious songs. 
?There was once a sacred tree in this temple called 
Pottu or Thakkolam which does not exist anymore.
 

Blessings of the temple

 
According to Sthala Puranas, any good deeds that 
devotees perform in this temple would bring multifold 
benefits. 
 

Important festivals of the temple:-

 
–Masi Makam (February-March), Thai Poosam 
(January-February).
–10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Chithirai
(April-May) 
–Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-
June) 
–Aani Tirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-
July) 
–Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August)
–Navarathri in the Tamil month of Puratasi 
(September-October) 
–Skanda Sashti in the Tamil month of Ippasi (October-
November) 
–Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai 
(November-December)
–Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi 
(December-January) 
–Pradosham and Guru Peyarchi (Jupiter transit) 
ceremonies are observed regularly.
The Arulmigu Giriraja Kannigambal Sametha 
Jalanatheswarar temple is situated in Thakkolam, on 
the Kanchipura- Arakkonam route. It is revered as one 
of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalam or temples that were 
sung in the verses by poet saints of ancient Tamil 
literature. 
The linga in this temple is swayambumurthi or self-
manifested and its unique feature is that it has never 
been touched by human hands – not even by the 
priests of the temple and therefore it’s also is known 
by the moniker, ‘Theenda Thirumeni’ which means 
‘untouched sacred body’.
According to ancient temple literature, the temple was 
built by King Rajaraja Chola II and the Puranas refer to
this temple as Kalikai Maanagar.  
 

The Penance of Sage Udhadhi 

 
The story of Sage Theerkadar, son of Sage Udhadhi – 
brother of Jupiter or Guru – and Mamathai is a part of 
the temple’s glorious history. Once, Theerkadar 
spotted the divine cow Kamadhenu grazing near his 
hermitage. He requested the bovine goddess to assist 
him in a yagya that he was about to perform. The holy 
cow refused saying that she won’t oblige without the 
permission of Lord Indira. As the sage used force to tie
the cow, it cursed the sage to become an ordinary, 
blind man who would spend the rest of his life doing 
menial jobs. The sage also cursed the cow in return to 
become an ordinary animal without divine powers. 
Meanwhile, Sage Udhathi was saddened by the plight 
of his son and sought the help of Maharishi Narada 
who advised him to worship Lord Jalanatheeswarar in 
the Thakkolam temple.  Lord Shiva appeared before 
him and suggested that he pray to Nandi – his vehicle, 
and also bring water from the Holy Ganges to this 
place and perform abhishekam. 
As per lord Shiva’s instructions, Sage Udhathi installed
a separate Shiva lingam and a Nandi near the 
Jalanatheeswarar temple and started his penance. This
place, to this day, is known as Sri Gangadhareswarar 
Temple and the goddess is Sri Mohanavalli. 
Nandi was pleased with the sage’s penance and 
created a tank near this temple, filled the water of 
Holy Ganges in it. It is believed that the water was 
channeled from the Ganges through its mouth. The 
sage performed the abhishekam to the lord with this 
water and completed his arduous yet sacred task. He 
also asked his son to take a dip in the holy tank and 
pray to Lord Shiva. And thus Theerkadar was relieved 
of Kamadhenu’s curse. 
The holy cow also worshipped the lord here by offering
its milk on the lingam. She was relieved of her curse 
too and got back her original form and power. After 
hearing the story, Lord Indira came to Thiruvooral and
took the cow back to the celestial world.
 

Temple Timings

 
From 08.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and from 04.30 PM to 
08.00 PM.
 

Temple Address

 
Sri Jalanatheeswarar Temple
Thakkolam Post
Arakkonam Taluk
Vellore District
Tamil Nadu 631 151
Telephone no: +91- 4177-246 427.