Presiding deity is a swayambumurthy. The vimana tower above the
sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabrushta design means the back end of an elephant.
The main deity is known as Tiruvalleeswararand 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
Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Varasiddhi Vinayaka. The Rajagopuram of the temple is of made of three
tier design.
Prayers : People pray to Lord for removal of obstacle in
wedding efforts, good health and remedy from illness. Devotees
pray to Lord Dakshinamurthy with yellow vastras seeking wisdom. It
is believed that prayer on full moon day will grant total salvation.
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 Brahmma. This 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 Shiva?s shrine with another shrine for Sri
Anjaneya in a worshipping form.
Lord Shiva is entitled for all
pujas He is praised as Bali (puja) Thayer is entitled and praised as 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 aKondrai 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.
Moolavar: Tiruvalleswarar, Tiruvalitham Udaya Nayanar
Amman / Thayar: Jagadambika
Thala Virutcham: Padiri, Kondrai
Theertham: Bharadwaj Theertham
Agamam / Pooja: Kameekam
Old year:1000-2000 years old
Historical Name: Tiruvalithayam
The Temple is praised in the Thevarm hymns of Saint Tirugnanasambandar.
This is the 21st Shiva Temple of Thondai region sung in Thevaram hymns.
Festival:
1. Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May.
2. Thai Kruthikai in January-February.
3. Jupiter(Guru) transit days.
Thanks giving :
Devotees pray to
Jupiter with yellow vastras on Thursdays for relief from adverse aspect of the
planet.
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.