Tiruvaaleeswaram - Near Ambasamudram

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Site Name: Tiruvaaleeswarar Temple

Site Type: Hindu temple

Location: Tiruvaaleeswaram aka Kakkanallur village, near Brahmadesam village, near Ambasamudram town, near Tirunelveli city, Tamil Nadu state, India

Highlights: A medieval Chola period temple in the land of Pandyas; an architectural marvel with so many beautiful sculptures 

Nearest Railway Station: Ambasamudram

Nearest Airport: Tirunelveli

How to reach: Well connected by road from Ambasamudram; public transportation is unreliable.

Hotel: Few options in Ambasamduram and no option in this village; more options in the nearby city Tirunelveli

Restaurants: Only a few options in the nearby Ambasamudram town


  
Ambasamudram is a picturesque town located on the banks of the beautiful Tamraparni river and on the foothills of the Western Ghats. The nearest city is Tirunelveli. The locality is known for many scenic spots and temples. Tiruvaaleeswaram is a small village located around 5 km from Brahmadesham, which is again 4 km from Ambasamudram. The village has an architecturally beautiful temple with innumerable sculptures. Let us explore this temple in detail.

Unfortunately, the temple is in a neglected state today. It's immaterial whether you are a spiritual or an art lover. You will definitely fall in love with this architectural and sculptural wonder. Let us work together to make such unknown beautiful sites of India popular.

Highlights:
  • A medieval Chola period temple in the land of Pandyas
  • The sanctum sanctorum is entirely a stone structure.
  • No niche images (koshta) around the sanctum - similar to that of Pandya style
  • Two-tier vimana on top of the sanctum
  • The temple has inscriptions of Cholas, Chola Pandyas and Pandyas; importantly, there is an inscription of Rajaraja Chola I
  • It was initially called Rajaraja Chaturvedi Mangalam
  • God - Vaaleeswarar aka Vaalinathar
  • Goddess - Soundarya Nayaki
  • Teerth (holy water) - Tamraparni and Ghatna rivers

Temple Layout:

No travel site or travel guide talks about this temple. It is not the temple's fault but the fault of those websites and guides that do not cover such a magnificent masterpiece. It is not fair that such a majestic temple is getting neglected.


On the banks of the beautiful Tamraparni river, the architectural marvel temple of Tiruvaaleeswarar is located. It is well maintained by ASI, although neglected by the devotees. 


The east-facing temple does not have a tower. It has two sanctums; the main one is dedicated to Vaalinathar aka Vaaleeswarar - a big Shiva Linga; the other is dedicated to the Goddess Soundarya Nayaki. 


The sanctum of Shiva Linga has a two-tiered vimana. Both the shrines face the east direction. Both of them have Nandi icons, flagstaffs and bali peetha in front of them. The sculptures of Ganesha and Subramanya are found alongside the Dwarapalas at the entrance of the Shiva shrine.



The prakara of Shiva shrine has the icons of Surya, Adhikara Nandi, Sapta Matas, Sura Deva and two Subramanyas. Bhairava is found in a separate small shrine.


The maha mandapa has many circular-shaped pillars with Yazhi bases. The vimana has a lot of exquisite sculptures such as Bhoota ganas, Rishabha Vahana, Gaja Samhara Murti, Dakshinamurti, Ardha Nareeswarar, Nataraja, etc.


Ganesha has two small separate shrines. There are sub-shrines for Shasta with his consorts and Shanmukha with his consorts. Dakshinamurti is also found in the outer prakara.


A beautiful garden with so many plants and trees is found at the backside of the temple.


Brahmadesham temple, which is located near this site and this temple are architectural marvels and stand as fine examples of South Indian temple architecture. Unfortunately, they remain unknown sites. When you go to South Tamil Nadu, ensure that you visit this site.


Happy travelling.
















Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.



Location: Ayan Thiruvaleeswaram, Tamil Nadu, India

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