GLORY OF THE TEMPLE

• This is the Sthalam where the grace of both Sivan and Sakthi is unified

• As per the Puranam of Periyandavar, once Lord Siva was wandering in

the earth because of Sakthi’s curse.Atlast Siva settled in a place, which is
Thirunilai.

• Lord Siva took Human birth without mother’s womb and came to
earth.At that time. only here Periyandavar was worshipped by Parvathi
Devi

• Lord Siva’s foot touched sthalam

• Progeny blessing temple

• Before many hundred years in Kaliyuga, only in Thirunilai Lord Siva

gave dharshan in light form.

• In the place where Siva gave dharshan in light form. Suyambu Lingam
came into existence, which is Lord Periyandavar

• By the side of this Suyambu Lingam, both Siva and Sakthi are rendering
their Rule of Grace

• This is the place where Parvathi Devi is called Thirunilai Nayagi

• When Sakthi’s soolayudham fell on earth, 21 sand rounds came out and
later they took the form of SIVAGANAMS

• Here the Sivaganams perform pooja to Lord Siva

• Thirunilai temple is beautifully located between a pond and a lake in the

natural atmosphere

•
•
• Location of the temple
• Thirunilai is located nearly 8 km northeast of Thirukalukundram Sri
Vedhagireeswarar temple near Chengalpat in Kanchipuram district.
Two town buses no T11 and T75 are plying from Thirukalukundram.
Saraswathi mini bus services are also operated to Thirunilai.

• STRUCTURE OF THE TEMPLE

This temple is a open ground temple which has no ceiling or overhead roof.
The pond is situated north of the temple and the temple is east facing. Sri
Vinayagar sannadhi is the leftern side and Sri Murugan sannadhi is in the
rightern side of the entrance.
Inside the temple, in the open space Lord Periyandavar, the presiding deity,
in Suyambu Lingam form, is dwelling and offering dharshan. In the western
side of Suyambu Lingam, Lord Periyandavar in human form along with
Devi Angala Parameshwari, in sitting posture is giving dharshan to devotees.

OTHER GODS

Lord Dhakshnamoorthy is sitting in the southern direction of the temple. Sri

Nandhi Bhagavan is in the standing posture outside the temple. He too took
human form when Lord Siva was wandering in the earth in human form
because of the curse of Parvathi Devi. And 21 Sivaganams are guarding
around the Suyambulingam, a rare sight, which we cannot witness anywhere
else.
SIDDHAMIRTHA KULAM

The temple pond is called Siddhamirthakulam. It is situated north of temple.

Taking holy dip in this pond will wash away all our sins and we will get all
we need is the strong belief of the devotees.

CONTACT PERSON

Mr. G. Egaseelan,
Aalaya Parambarai Nirvagi,
(Temple Trustee)
Thirunilai Village, Oragadam village post,
Chengalpat taluk.
Near Thirukalukundram,
Kanchipuram district,
Pin 603 107
Cell no 98427 40957
E Mail egaseeelan28@gmail.com

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

Kanchipuram district, a part of historical Thondamandalam, has a number

of ancient temples.In it, Arulmigu Vedapureeshwarar temple situated at
Thirukalukundram near Chengalpat, is one of the most famous Siva
temples, known to all.
Many places near Thirukalukundram have interesting background. One
among them is Thirunilai. It is a small village situated at a distance of
nearly 7 k.m, north west of Thirukalukundram.
In this holy village,Sri Periyandavar temple is beautifully built.
Though it is more than 300 years old, only recently a temple was
constructed with the help and contribution of many pious people and
devotees, by
the side of the village lake. In the open air and amidst the natural
atmosphere, the temple is very attractive and fascinating.
The temple lies away from the commotion of the city in the silent and
pretty village. It is located in the middle of paddy-fields, a lake and
a small hill, that is in the centre of very sweet natural surroundings.
It is well maintained with the support and the co-operation of village
people and devotees. Everybody can go at anytime and can have the
Swamy Darsan peacefully here.
The puranam and background of this temple is very interesting and
meaningful. Once Lord Siva incarnated as a Human-being because of
Goddess
Parvathi Devi's curse. He was roaming throughout the earth. He could not
stay anywhere.
He was going everywhere in all directions without any stable mind. As
Lord Siva lost His balanced state of mind, because of Sakthi's curse,
the whole world sank in chaos and confusion.The operation and movement
of
the universe were affected.So the universe threw out of order.
At last, Lord Siva came to a place where His Soolayudham fell on
ground. There Siva took shelter and stayed permanently.That place is called
Thirunilai.It is named after His holy dwelling in that place.
Thirunilai in tamil means, taking place or shelter eternally and
permanently.This puranic incident is depicted in the temple with twenty one
Sivaganams.It is believed that Lord Siva after incarnating as a man,came
to earth and took shelter only in Thirunilai first. In memory of this
incident, the ancestors of this village built a temple, dedicating it
to Periyandavar, who is the incarnation of Lord Siva.
For many years only a Suyambu Lingam was here in the open ground.
Recently the villagers and the pious people and devotees took a great
effort to construct a temple.It fetched good result and thus a beautiful and
an unique temple came here.
Devi Angalaparameshwari is also blessing along with Periyandavar.She is
the goddess of this temple. The presiding deity is Lord Periyandavar,
in Suyambu Lingam.The very unique feature of this temple is 'Nandi
Devar' in 'standing posture'. Nowhere we can see this 'thirukkolam' of

Nandi Devar.

Mahasivarathiri,Full moon pooja,Pradhosam and many other festivals are

performed here with full perfection. During full moon (Pournami) and
Amavasai, milk abisekam in 18 pots is performed to Sri Periyandavar and
Devi Angalaparameshwari.
Suyambu Lingam in the middle of twenty one Sivaganams in the open
ground is a sacred view, which all devotees can notice here.During every
religious worship, pooja and festival, 'annadhanam' is given to all
devotees coming to the temple.
The villagers say that many Sages stayed here and worshipped
Periyandavar and got His abundant blessings. Lord Periyandavar and Devi
Angalaparameshwari are known for Their limitless blessings to childless
couples.
They regularly come to this temple and offer prayers here.Within a
short period of time, their wish is fullfilled and they are blessed with
child. So, nowadays, knowing this kindness of Periyandavar, childless
couples visit this temple in large numbers to get their longings become
true
After taking a holy dip in the temple pond, Siddhamirdhakulam, they
have to perform poojas and abisekams in their own hands. Atleast for six
weeks they have to continuously perform poojas in this manner.
Afterwards to their surprise and wonder,they get a miraculous result; Lord
Periyandavar and Goddess Angalaparameshwari bless them with children.
Their
dreams and long-pending longings become true and they become progeny
blessed.
In other words we can say Lord Periyandavar is the progeny blessing god
to each and every childless couple who whole-heartedly believe and
worship Him.In the same way, when we offer our prayers at the sacred feet
of Him, we can see all our worries get vanished within a short span of
time.
Therefore let us all visit Thirunilai and get His abundant blessings to
lead a happy and peaceful life on earth.
Now this temple is being expanded and the construction of front
mandapamis undertaken.For this purpose, generous donations are welcomed
from
devotees and general public.Anybody willing to join hands in this holy
task of this temple's expansion,can contact, Mr G.Egaseelan, temple
functionary, over the cell number 98427 40957/ 99429 05061.
THIRUNILAI NAYAGI

Devi Angalaparameshwari is the goddess of this temple. She is fondly

called 'Thirunilai Nayagi' by the villagers. Goddess with Lord
Periyandavar, in sitting posture gives darshan in the eastern direction. This
is
a rare thirukkolam of Angalaparameshwari, which we cannot easily see in
other temples.
She fullfills all the prayers of devotees. She cures all chronic
diseases. She is beautifully decorated during all poojas and
festivals.Especially during Amavasai and Full moon poojas, special
abisekams are
performed to Her also, as to, Lord Periyandavar. Special homams are done
in
all festivals to Annai.

TEMPLE POND

The temple pond is called 'Siddhamirdhakulam;.It is a very big pond,

situated in the northern side of the temple. 'Siddhamirtha' consists of
two wors; siddha and amirdha. It cleans all our sins and diseases. This
is the meaning of the word 'Siddhamirdha',the villagers say.
It is believed that after coming to 'boologam', Lord Siva took a holy
dip in this pond. The villagers took drinking water only from this pond
for many years. Though now people do not use this pond for drinking
purpose, it is considered very sacred and holy.

STHALA VIRUKSHAM

Sthala viruksham, that is, temple's tree is Vilvam. It is seen inside

the temple at the eastern side. Many tree saplings are planted outside
the temple but inside the temple premises.They are growing well.Within a
short period of time, these saplings will become into a thick grove
and will beautify the temple premises.
Many devotees offer their prayers by hanging their 'mini-toy-cradle' in
the sthala viruksham to get blessed with children.By doing like this,
devotees firmly and fully believe that their prayers will be answered
by Lord Periyandavar and Goddess Angalaparameshwari.
Please visit our website www.periyandavar.com