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Valam in Tamil means circumambulation. This is the place where Lord Vinayaka established the truth that world means Father and Mother and Father and Mother mean world. He went around his divine parents to show this truth. As He did the Valam here, the place came to known as Tiruvalam and changed as Tiruvallam. Lord Vinayaka got the mango fruit from Lord Shiva this way and is praised as Kani (fruit) Vangia (getting) Pillayar (Vinayaka). He is sitting on His mouse vehicle. He came to this temple with the Mango fruit means the wisdom fruit.

There is a tub-like structure on the right of Lords shrine filled with water in which Lord Jalakandeswara graces in the name of Padalalingeswara. Pujas are performed to Him praying for rain.

This is one the 275 Shiva temples praised in Thevaram hymns.

The monument of Sage Sanaka, disciple of Lord Dakshinamurthy is between Nandhi and Lord Vilwanatheswara shrine. It is believed that meditating here relieves the devotee from sins of his/her past birth. Also Saint Sivananda Mauna Guru Swamigal performed penance here sitting under the jack tree in the temple. There is a mutt for him near the temple. Special pujas are performed to the Swayambulingas in the Kanjan hill on all full moon days. The event of Lord granting salvation to Kanjan at the eight places where his limbs fell is celebrated on the third day of Pongal festival.

The presiding deity is Sri Vilvanatheswarar and His consort is Sri Vallambikai/Sri Dhanumathyambal. This is a very huge and beautiful temple, built by the Pallavas and Cholas. There are quite a few references of Rajendra Chola in the stone inscriptions. Although the presiding deity faces the East, the temple entrance faces the South. Inscriptions reveal that this was a grand pilgrimage center in the past with facilities for pilgrims travelling between Southern Tamilnadu and Benares (Kasi). A fine image of Perumal also adorns the temple. There are idols for the 27 birth stars on the vimaanam of the sanctum sanctorum. Almost all the pillars are very nicely decorated with some sculptures. The legend of Nandhi protecting the village from demon Kanjan is depicted in a sculpture. There is a 100 pillars Natarajar Mandapam here which is extremely quiet. In the left side outer praharam, there is a underground passage and no one knows where it leads to. The temple has highlighted all the inscriptions with white and yellow paint and made it easy to read.

Another interesting feature of this temple is that Nandi, which conventionally faces Shiva lingam, faces the opposite direction. This normally indicates that Nandi is on the warpath. A demon named Kanjan had become immortal by a boon and was once fetching water from Kanjan Hills for the Lords Abhishekam. He started troubling the temple priest by preventing him from fetching water for Abhishekam for the presiding deity in the temple. Responding to the prayer of the priest, Lord Shiva directed Nandhi to control the demon. Nandi stood guard and tore the demon into eight pieces. These pieces fell at a nearby hill Kanjangiri. These pieces transformed into Swayambhu (self manifested) lingams. Since that day Nandi faces Kanjangiri to protect the priest and the temple from Kanjan.But, with his deathless boon from Lord Shiva Himself, the demon escaped. Hence Nandhi is placed facing the entrance of the temple towards east (not facing the Lord according to tradition) to prevent the demon entering the temple.

Moolavar: Vilwanatheswarar

Amman / Thayar: Vallambikai

Thala Virutcham: Vilwa

Theertham: Neeva River, Gouri Theertham

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

One of the 275 sacred temples glorified by the Thevara hymns. Ambal shrine is said to be of great significance here. Vinayakar is said to have obtained the celestial mango from Shiva here after the circumambulation of Shiva and Parvathi devi. That?s why the place is called Thiruvalam. This is where Lord Siva destroyed the yagna by Dakshan. Tamil poet Avvaiyar is said to be associated with this shrine. This is one of the Muktisthalams and consideredholier than Kasi. Vilva is offered as prasadam here.

Saint Thirugnana sambandar has sung in praise Lord Shiva here. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung in praise of Lord Muruga of the temple in his Thiruppugazh.

Mantra:

aum tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam
urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt

This is a big temple covering an area measuring 5 acres with a 7-tier Rajagopuram. In the inner corridor one can see Lord Valampuri Vinayaka, Lord Vishnu, Lord Muruga, Sahasralingam, Lord Meenakashi Sundareswar, Bhairavar, Sun and Padaleswarar. Nandi is big in size facing east.

Thiruvalam is around 20 km from Vellore and while traveling from Vellore, go to Katpadi, and take the road (towards east) to Thiruvalam at Katpadi bus stand. Proceed till you meet the Chennai-Chithoor National highway and Thiruvalam is right at this junction. This temple is about 10 kms from Vallimalai and 12 kms from Katpadi. It took another bus to Thiruvalam( also known as Thiruvallam) from Vallimalai. Thiruvalam is famous for its ancient Shiva temple. This temple is located on the western banks of the river Ponnai/Neeva(because Nandi ordered Ponnai to flow towards Thiruvalam so that its water is available for the Lord for abhishekam). The water of which was once known for its healing powers. The river is also called neeva, shiva said nee vaa and the river sprang forth.

Brain is an important part of a human body and if ones brain is active, one can make decisions quickly with clear vision as it is needed for a fulfilled life.If ones brain is not active, one will be a slow learner right from the beginning of childhood. This leads to inferiority complex and in due course one will struggle each phase of his life. In this temple Vilvam is offered as prasatham here and slow brain is activated due to this.

According to faith of devotees is that to visit this temple to seek fulfillment by getting vilwa leaves (prasadam) and which relieves from the following

Dullness and skin problems
Ensures Child boon
Wisdom

Devotees perform abishek and archanas to Lord and Mother and offer Vastras.

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.