Thiruvalithayam Paadal Petra Sthalam - Valleeswarar Temple

• Thiruvalithayam Paadal Petra Sthalam - Greatness:

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Valleeswarar and Sri Jagadambigai in Thiruvalithayam Paadal Petra Sthalam.

• Paadal Petra Sthalam: Thiruvalithayam is a Paadal Petra Sthalam whose hymn was sung by Thirugnana Sambandar. It is the 20th Paadal Petra Sthalam located in Thondai Nadu.

• The name Thiruvalithayam: Since the bird Valiyan (Asian Drongo Cuckoo or KarunKuruvi, a type of black bird) worshipped Lord Shiva, the place is called Thiruvalithayam and Lord Shiva is also called Valithaya Nathar.

• Deeds & Grace:

1. Lord Shiva & Valiyan: Valiyan bird worshipping Lord Shiva: The bird Valiyan (Asian Drongo Cuckoo or KarunKuruvi, a type of black bird) worshipped Lord Shiva here. So the place is called Thiruvalithayam and Lord Shiva is also called Valithaya Nathar. It is also said that sage Bharadwaja worshipped Lord Shiva here in the form of the Valiyan bird due to a curse.
- Manathunai Nathar Temple: The Manathunai Nathar Shiva Temple in the Nagapattinam district also has a similar incident related to the worship of a Valiyan bird.

2. Lord Shiva & sage Bharadwaja: Sage Bharadwaja worshipping Lord Shiva: Sage Bharadwaja worshipped Lord Shiva in this place. There is a Shiva Lingam in this temple which sage Bharadwaja worshipped.
- Bharadwaja Teertham: The sacred water body of this temple is a well is known as Bharadwaja Teertham.

3. Lord Shiva & Hanuman: Hanuman worshipping Lord Shiva: Hanuman worshipped Lord Shiva in this place. There is a Shiva Lingam in this temple which Hanuman worshipped.

4. Lord Shiva & Brihaspati: Brihaspati worshipping Lord Shiva: Brihaspati (Planet Guru) worshipped Lord Shiva in this place and was relieved of his dosha. Hence this place is a parihara sthalam of Guru.
- Shrine of Guru: The temple has a separate shrine of planet Guru.

5. Sri Ganesha & Kamali-Valli: Sri Vinayaka marrying the daughters of Brahma: Two daughters of Brahma, Kamali and Valli worshipped Lord Shiva on the banks of the Palaru river to get married to him. However, Lord Shiva appeared before them and told them that he cannot marry them since he is also wedded to Devi Parvati. Instead he advised them to marry Vinayaka. When Vinayaka came to Thiruvalithayam after vanquishing demon Gajamukasuran, he married the two daughters of Brahma.

6. Lord Shiva & Thirugnana Sambandar: Thirugnana Sambandar singing hymns in this Divya Desam: Thirugnana Sambandar Nayanar sang hymns in praise of the Lord in this Paadal Petra Sthalam.

• Thiruvalithayam Paadal Petra Sthalam - Sacred Geography:

• Bharadwaja Teertham: Pushkarini of the temple (which is a well).

• Padhiri Tree: Sthala Vriksha of the temple.

• Thiruvalithayam Paadal Petra Sthalam - To See:

1. Lingam of Lord Shiva: Lingam of Sri Valleeswarar.

2. Image of Ambal: Image of Devi Jagadambigai .

3. Lingam worshipped by Bharadwaja: Lingam worshipped by sage Bharadwaja.

4. Lingam worshipped by Hanuman: Lingam worshipped by Hanuman.

5. Image of Guru: Image of planet Guru in a separate shrine.

6. Pushkarini of the temple: Bharadwaja Teertham.

7. Sthala Vriksha of the temple: Padhiri Tree.

• Thiruvalithayam Paadal Petra Sthalam - Location:

• Thiruvalithayam is located in the Chennai district of Tamil Nadu. It can be visited from Chennai.

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