Periyandavar Temple, Thirunilai village,

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. Finally Siva settled in this place which is now called as Thirunilai.
• Lord Siva took Human birth without mother’s womb and came to earth. Parvathi Devi
worshipped Siva at that time in this sthalam where Lord Siva is known as Periyandavar
• Lord Siva’s foot touched this sthalam
• Progeny blessing temple
• Before many hundred years in Kaliyuga, only in Thirunilai Lord Siva gave dharshan in
light form.
• Suyambu Lingam came into existence in the place where Siva gave dharshan in light
form. Lingam is known in the name of Lord Periyandavar
• Both Siva and Sakthi are rendering their Rule of Grace by the side of this Suyambu
Lingam.
• Parvathi Devi is called Thirunilai Nayagi at this place
• When Sakthi’s soolayudham fell on earth, 21 sand rounds came out and later they took
the form of SIVAGANAMS
• Sivaganams perform pooja to Lord Siva at this sthalam
• Thirunilai temple is beautifully located between a pond and a lake in the natural
atmosphere

Location of the temple

Periyandavar temple is located at about 8 kms. from Thirukkazhukundram in Chengleput
Taluk, Kancheepuram district. Thirunilai village, where this temple is located, is about 14 kms
to the east from Chengleput and 12 kms to the west from Thiruporur. Direct town buses -
Route Nos. T11 and T75 and also Saraswathi Mini Bus - are available to Thiruunilai village from
Chengleput.
History of the Temple..
.Kanchipuram district, a part of historical Thondamandalam,
has a number of ancient temples. Arulmigu Vedapureeswarar
temple, situated at Thirukalukundram near Chengalpattu, is one
of the most famous Siva temples. 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.
Sri Periyandavar temple is beautifully built n this holy village known as Thirunilai. 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. The tThirunilai Periyanadavar temple is
located by the side of the village lake. The temple is very attractive and fascinating in the open
air and amidst the natural atmosphere. 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.

It is well maintained with the support and the co-operation of village people and devotees.
Everybody can go at anytime and can have peaceful the Darsan of the Lord.

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 wandering 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 also 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 Trustee

Cell Phone No. 98427 40957 / 99429 05061.

Temple layout details...

Thirunilai Periyandavar Temple is located in a serene atmosphere in between two tanks in a
open court yard facing east. At the entrance to the temple, Lord vinayakar is seen on the left
side of the entrance and Lord Muruga on the right side of the entrance

Lord Shiva who incarnated as a human being and then stationed at this village Thirunilai is
giving dharshan to His devotees as Periyandavar in a Swayumbu Ligan form. To the left of the
Swayambu Lingam, a stucco image of Lord Parameshwaran can be seen. Goddess Parvathi in
the stucco image form as Akilandeswari can be seen next to Lord Parameswaran.

Angala Parameswari

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.

Other deities

Dakshinamurthy is given dharshan on the southern side of the temple and Bhairavar is given
dharshan on the north side of the templs and He is facing east. The foot prints of Lord Shiva
and Goddess Parvathi is rare sight to be seen in this temple

Sivaganams

The rare sight of 21 Sivaganams in a rectangular format around the Swayambu Lingam can
only be seen at this temple. When Lord Shiva was wandering the earth in human form, Nandi
also took to human form and worshipped Shiva at this temple. Nandhi in Human form can be
seen here.

Siddhaamirtha Theertham

The temple pond is called 'Siddhamirdha kulam'. It is a very big pond and is situated in the
northern side of the temple. 'Siddhamirtha' consists of two words - "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

CONTACT INFORMATION
Mr. G. Egaseelan,

Aalaya Parambarai Nirvagi,

(Temple Trustee)

Periyandavar Temple

Thirunilai Village, Oragadam post,

Chengalpat Taluk.

Near Thirukkalukundram,

Kanchipuram District,

Pin 603 109

Cell No: 98427 40957

E Mail: egaseeelan28@gmail.com
Please visit our website www.periyandavar.com