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Vallakottai Subramaniaswamy Temple, Sriperumpudur, Kanchipuram
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Vallakottai Subramaniaswamy |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Sriperumpudur |
| District:: | Kanchipuram |
| Address: | Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Thirukoil,Vallakottai, Thirupanthur, Kanchipuram – 602105 |
| Phone | +91 – 44 – 27197112 / 2717 2225 |
Arunagirinathar, the famous Tamil saint-poet has sung about the Vallakottai Subrahmanya Swamy in seven poems in his famous work ‘Thirupugazh’. The temple has a gateway leading to a pillared hall and the sanctum. The temple is open from 6:30 am – 12:00 pm and 5 – 8:30 pm. Five daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Adi Pooram festival being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
Temple Opening Time
The temple will be open between 06.30 Hrs to 13.00 Hrs and in the evening from 16.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs. On Sundays and special pooja days the temple will be kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs without closing.
Prayers
Devotees believe that a holy dip in the Vajra Theertham tank with the chanting of the mantra ‘Aum Saravanabhava’ will end all their problems.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Murugan slayed Demon Vallan here:
As per Hindu legend, there was a demon by name Vallan who was troubling the Devas, the celestial deities. The Devas sought the help of Murugan. He informed them that the time had come to destroy the demon. He eventually waged a war and slayed the demon at the place. He established the place as Vallan Kottai, literally meaning the “Fort of Vallan”.
Indra worshipped Murugan here:
Indra, the king of Devas, requested his Guru Brihaspati to suggest a place for him to worship Murugan. He suggested going to Vallakottai, an abode of Murugan. Indra came to Vallakottai, pierced the earth with his weapon Vajrayudha to create a tank to extract water. He performed ablution to image of Murugan at this place and attained his needs. Since Indra created the tank with his Vajrayudha, the temple tank is named as Vajra Theertha.
Bhagiratha disrespect to Sage Naradha:
As per another legend, a king by name Bhagiratha was ruling the Elanji kingdom. He was very haughty to sage Naradha and to teach him a lesson for his behaviour, Naradha infuriated a demon king named Goran to attack Elanji kingdom. Goran was a powerful demon and he made a sudden attack. Bhagiratha was unable to control the forces and eventually lost the battle to Goran. Realizing his mistake, he sought the advice of Naradha.
The sage advised him to find sage Durvasa, who could find a resolution. The king roamed around the forest for a long time and finally found Durvasa. The sage advised him to worship Murugan at Vallakottai to get back his kingdom. The king worshipped Murugan at this place for a long time and built the temple.
Lord Murugan appeared to Arunagirinathar in dream to tell about this place:
Arunagirinathar was advised by Lord to Visit this temple on the way to Thiruthani from Thiruporur, in his dream. He has sung 7 hymns in Thirupugazh in praise of Lord Sri Subramaniyar.
Etymology:
Arunagirinathar denotes this Vallakottai as Kotainakar, Kotappati, Kotaiyampati, Kottai enumpati, and Kottai’. Though Arunagirinathar mentioned this place by many names, it is presently popular only as Vallakottai. There are many interpretations available for this name; yet only one seems to be plausible. In Kanchipuram District, near Vallakottai, there is another Murugan, ‘Tirupati’ (holy place) by name ‘Vallam’. By connecting this holy place ‘Vallam’, the people of the area would have called ‘Vallakottai’ first. Afterwards it seems that this holy place would have naturally got the name of Vallakottai.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
Vallakottai is situated on the highway between Sriperumpudur and Singapperumal Koil near Chengalpattu. It is located at about 30 Kms from Tambaram. The place is about 20 kms west of Singapperumal Koil, on Chennai – Vizhupuram National High way. Frequent bus facility is available to the village from Tambaram and Sriperumpudur.
From Tambaram Buses 583, 583 D and 55 N to Sriperumpudur pass through this village. From Tambaram Sanatorium new bus terminus 55 L and 55 A are plying to Vallakottai. All buses to Kanchipuram via Oragadam and Sriperumpudur passes through this village. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kanchipuram, Chengalpet and Tambaram. Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
Festivals
The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed five times a day: Go Pooja at 6:30 a.m., Kalasandhi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikala Poojai at 8:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Arthajama Pooja at 8:15 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) & deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for the presiding deities. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The temple is open from 6:30 am – 12:00 pm and 5 – 8:30 pm on all days except during festive occasions when it has extended timings.
The temple possesses gold, jewels, diamonds, and rubies, silver vessel and other costly articles worth many lakhs of rupees. Every Thursday, Lord Subramaniaswamy is decorated with Diamond Vel. The day of Krittika is very important and thousands of people worship the Lord every month on this day. The main festivals are the Brahma Utsavam, Skanda Shashti, Adi Kiruthikai and the festival of Subrahmanya’s marriage with Valli.
A popular event performed a few years ago is the Sri Subrahmanya Sahasranama (1008 names of Subrahmanya) Archana. A Sahasra namamala, a garland of gold coins on each of which one of the 1,008 names of the Lord was inscribed, was made and offered to the deity. Devotees from far and near in large numbers participated in this holy and pious act.
Here also pilgrims carry Kavadis to the shrine and abhishekams are performed to the idol on behalf of the devotees. Bathing of the deity in holy ashes, known as Vibhuti Abhishekam is a feature here as in Palani temple and in that Abhishekam the idol has a very captivating and awe-inspiring aspect.
The important festivals conducted in the temple are:
- Monthly Kiruthikai festival
- Temple Car festival in April
- Visakam festival in May
- Navarathri festival in May
- Skanda Shashti festival in October
- Tiru Karthikai festival in Nov/December
- Thaipusam festival in January
- Panguni Uttiram festival in Marc
Contact Details
Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Thirukoil,
Vallakottai, Thirupanthur,
Kanchipuram – 602105
Phone: +91 – 44 – 27197112 / 2717 2225
Mobile: +91 – 8012418532 / 8012418631
Email: vallakkottaimurugantemple@gmail.com