Thiruvallur is a must-visit place as it offers a variety of places to see and things to have an enjoyable trip. Thiruvallur has everything from charismatic beauty to religious places and industries, making it an ideal place to visit for nature lovers, those on a spiritual quest and for business men.
It is believed that, once Lord Narayan, in the form of a saint, asked sage Saalihothirar for a place to sleep as a test. The sage offered this place to the Lord, and that is how Thiruvallur got its name, which translates into ‘a place where God sleeps’. The city is known for the Veera Ragha Perumal temple and the tank festival celebration.
Lying on the banks of River Cooum, Thiruvallur is well known for its temples and various religious and cultural festivals. A Siva sanctuary close to this sanctum which is mainstream among local people. There is additionally a 40-foot tall Viswaroopa Panchamukha Hanuman sanctuary, where the murti is made of a solitary green rock stone. Along with its spiritual values, Thiruvallur is also one of the fastest developing industrial districts in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Poondi store, from which drinking water is supplied to Chennai city, is around 9 km from Tiruvallur.
Thiruvallur offers several interesting tourist spots. Here are some notable places to visit:
1. Veera Raghava Perumal Temple, Tiruvallur
This Temple is located in Tiruvallur City. It is an old temple which is constructed in Dravidian style of architecture. A historic temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings. The temple has a seven-tiered Rajagopuram. Veera Raghava Swami and Kanakavalli Thayar are main dieties. He is also called Vaidya Veera Raghavar, in view of his ailment curing abilities. The gigantic idol of Lord Venkateshwara in reclining position offers a great glimpse and it is wonderful sight.
The Veeraraghava Swamy Perumal Temple is one among the 108 divya desams of vaishnavas and a part of tondai naadu divyadesams. Devotees come here for marriage, progeny, and for relief from hardships. Abishekam to the presiding deity is done only with sandalwood oil. The sacred tank is so holy that even a sight or a touch or a bath would immediately dispel all anguish of heart. Tank festival, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Chithirai Festivals are celebrated voluminously by devotees. On New moon day people from Tamilnadu, Andhrapradesh, and Karnataka flooded here just for a night stay to perform Pitru Pooja for a demisded person.
2. Pulicat Lake
Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish-water eco-system in India after Chilka lake in Orissa. A must visit place for birdwatchers. In a Pulicat lake, one could see thousands of flamingos and a lot of other varieties of waders especially during the migratory season. Almost every year between the months of October and March, myriads of wandering birds take shelter in this lake. Although various bird species are seen, the flamingos are significant, thronging the swamplands adjacent to the lake. It is an Island which had pulicat lake on one side and Bay of Bengal on the other side which will give an mesmerizing view to experience. Pulicat Lake is an ideal place for a day trip.
3. Poondi Reservoir
Poondi Lake or Sathyamoorthy reservoir is the reservoir built across Kotralai River in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu State. A major water reservoir that provides a scenic spot for picnics and relaxation. It’s also a good place for bird watching.
The Department of Archaeology has its museum exclusively for the exhibits of the pre-historic artefacts which are found from Poondi and other parts of Tamil Nadu.
The Gudiyum cave is present near Poondi and reaching there takes some adventurous paths into the silent forests, which can actually turn out to be a nice expedition for trekkers and nature lovers.
4. Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu
This is one of the oldest and biggest temples of Lord Shiva. It’s located in Thiruvalangadu in thiruvallur district. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its religious significance and architectural beauty. Thiruvalangadu is one of the Pancha Sabha (five majestic cosmic dance halls of Lord Shiva) temples. And this is the first sabha called as uthrathandava sabha or rathna sabha. The others sabhas are located in Kutralam, Madurai, Chidambaram and Thirunelveli.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar walked to Thiruvalangadu with her hands. Lord Shiva was delighted with her dedication and granted her a boon that she should not have a rebirth.
Aruthra darsanam in the month of markali is the most important festival of the temple apart from pradosham, amavasai, krithigai, pourami.
5. Arulmigu Subrhamanya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani
Lord Murugan’s temple is located in a hill lock with beautiful view of city and the surrounding plantations. It is one of the Arupadaiveedu(the six holy abodes of Lord Subrhamanya swamy). The beautiful temple of Lord Muruga at Tiruttani crowns a single rock 700 feet above sea level. It is situated amidst a range of hills with a dramatic panoramic view. He blesses us with mental peace and bodily happiness. His righteous indignation towards the asuras for their cruelty is said to have been quelled and cooled at this place which is, therefore, this Murugan temple is also known as Shantipuri (Abode of Peace). If one worship Him with faith and intense devotion for five consecutive days in this hill temple, they will be blessed and their desires will be fulfilled.
The sacred tanks of this temple is known as Saravanapoikai (‘sacred pond of the reedy marsh’ where Lord Karthikeyan was born). The tank at Tiruttani, which is at the very foot of the hill, is particularly renowned for its sacred water (teertham) as it has curative effect for both body and mental peace.
6. Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Tiruvallur
Viswaroopa Panchamuga Anjaneya Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman located at Thiruvallur Town in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. The main deity in this temple is Panchamuga Anjaneyar. This temple is very small and it has Hanuman idol which is 40 feet monolithic idol.
Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya Swamy Temple was built and being administered by an Ashram. This temple is very small and it has only one idol. However, the uniqueness of the temple is that the idol of the temple has five faces. And each face represents different deity. The five faces of Hanuman represent Hanuman, Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha.
7. Vadivudaiamman Udanurai Thygaraja Swamy Temple, Thiruvottriyur
The temple is preserved with its historical touch, on getting into the temple the divine silence welcomes the devotees. According to legend, Shiva has blessed Brahma with the creation of the world at the time of Pralaya (destruction) and made way for the Pralaya floodwater to recede. The place was known as Thiru Otriyur (Votra or Vatra in Tamil means receding water). Shiva took the form of a huge fire to make the water recede, and he stayed as a Swayambhu Lingam under a Makizha tree. This is said to be the Aadhi (first) Swayambhu Shiva Lingam ever to appear after the Pralaya, hence God is called Sri Aadhi Pureeswarar. Vadiudaiamman as her name Vadivu (divine beauty) + Udai (with) + Amman (Mother). Amman stands in the temple facing south with divine beauty with four hands and the merciful eyes will bring tears in our eyes.
Vadivudaiamman is the form of Gnana Sakthi who blesses the people with awareness and expertise to survive in this world. Visiting the temple at the noon for the mid day pooja with a red color saree and offering jackfruit as prasada to Amman is considered to be propitious.
The outer praharam of the temple has 27 Lingams for 27 stars of astrology. Devotees can carry out prayers for the Lingam corresponding to their birth star.
Abishekam is performed to the Avudayar (base) and not to the main deity. On the Full Moon day in the month of Karthigai, the armor for the Lingam is removed, and God is anointed with punugu, jawadhu, and sambirani oil. Devotees can see and worship the Lingam as the anthill itself, for three days without cover. The deity is covered for the rest of the year. It is believed that Vishnu, Brahma, and Vasuki worship Shiva on these three days.
An interesting aspect is that the main deities are in duplets – two presiding deities of Sri Aadi Pureeswarar and Sri Otreeswarar. There are two Goddesses – Vadivudai Amman and Vattaparai Amman. The temple has two sacred trees, Athi and Makizham, two Theerthams – Brahma and Nandi Theerthams. The temple has two pooja procedures – Karana and Kameeka.
The temple is one among seven in Thondai Nadu, where Thyagaraja can be seen. His dance form is called Ananda Thandavam. The Tri-Shakthi temples of Itcha, Kriya, and Gnana Shaktis are very popular here.
It is believed that both Tiruvarur and Tiruvottiyur have Shiva in the same dance poses called Padama Natanam. It is believed that Shiva blessed Sage Agasthiar with his wedding dharisanam.
8. Bhavani Amman Temple, Periyapalayam
Bhavani Amman is the main deity of the temple, people throng here in thousands on weekends and in the month of Aadi and Avani.
Bhavani Amman is believed to be the sister of Sri Krishna. She appeared as the eighth child of Vasudeva and Devaki, the parents of Sri Krishna. Vasudeva exchanged Sri Krishna with the child of Yashoda. When Kamsa, the maternal uncle of Sri Krishna tried to kill the baby, She escaped from his clutches, took the form of Astabhuja Devi (Devi with eight hands) and warned Kamsa about his impending death and therefor the Goddess has decided to settle in this place in the name of Sri Bhavani in order to protect her devotees from agony. Godess Bavani Amman blesses the devotees here. Many People come here for their wellness. It is one of the important temple in Thiruvallur District.
9. Devi Karumariamman Temple, Thiruverkadu
It is one of the old and most beautiful Temple in Thiruverkadu, Thiruvallur District. It is a must visit temple, as this temple has lot of history behind it.
Sage Agastiyar witnessed the Celestial Marriage from this place, Lord Murugan got his Vel from this place and the Godess Prithiyangara here is so powerful who fulfil the wishes of the devotees.
The presiding deity of the temple is Devi Karumariamman. The main deity of Karumariamman is Swayambhu (Emerged on it’s own). There is an Anthill present in the temple. People considered this Anthill as very powerful and do worship the Anthill.
The temple has a story associated with the sun god. Parvathi Devi is believed to have visited Surya in the guise of an old woman, ostensibly to forecast his future, but she was not received with respect. Hence she cursed Surya to lose his divine radiance. Realising his mistake he begged Devikarumari to forgive and excuse him. Sun requested Devikarumari to celebrate Sunday as the day of Devikarumari. Devikarumari also accepted it. The rays of the sun also fall directly on the idol of the goddess twice in a year, during the Tamil months of Purattasi and Panguni. Strong vibration is felt in this temple.