Sri JALANATHEESWARAR Temple, Thakkolam

Sri JALANATHEESWARAR Temple, Thakkolam - In Thakkolam another very old and Padal petra sthalam Sri GIRIRAJA KANNIKAMBAL samedha Sri JALANATHEESWARAR temple. This temple was originally built by the Pallavas and later improvements and additions were made by the Cholas.

This Main Lord Shivalingam is not touched by anybody including the priests. He is known as Theenda Meniyar. It is believed that the Goddess Parvathi is still hugging the Shiva Lingam and hence nobody touches it. There is no abishegam performed to the Shiva Lingam. During Flood in the river water will flow through Small Nandhi go around Lord Siva. ( so the name Sri JALANATHEESWARAR). The Shiva Lingam’s colour is white during the Dakshinayana period. During Uttarayana the colour of the Shiva Lingam is red. When I visited to day I can clearly see whiteness.

Goddess Sri GIRIRAJA KANNIKAMBAL of this temple attracts a large number of devotees. She can be seen in standing posture facing NORTH. Poojas are performed first to her and then only to Lord Shiva.

Another interesting feature of this temple is that instead of the Lingothbavar as Koshta Murthy behind the Shiva Lingam one can see Mahavishnu in a sitting posture.

This is also a Guru Pariharam Sthalam. This is third after Abathsahayeswarar temple Alangudi and Medha Dakshinamurthy temple at Mayiladuthurai.

Sri Yoga Dakshina Murthy (Guru Bhagavan) is in a very unique posture here. He is seen standing, with his left leg raised and placed on a platform. His head is slightly tilted to His left. Here ``Gurupeyarchi'' is very big festivel next to Thirunallar. During the transit of Guru, devotees throng this place. Most of the idols in the koshta of this temple are slightly tilted to one side. Goddess Durgai’s posture is also different here - it is in a dancing form (Nadana Durgai) and looks very beautiful.

Once you enter temple via main Gopuram, you will see very high old granite wall and Kodi Maram with Nandhi facing wall With small holes, and have to walk around South side to enter main shrine. Another small Nandhi is seen front of Lord Siva.Two Praharams is with all other Small shrines for Sri Vinayagar, Sri Murugar, Sri Durgai, Navagraham. In Praharam you can see old type pillars.

Temple Timings: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 4 PM to 8 PM. However, on Thursdays and Sundays alone the Sivachariar obliges the devotees even if they visit outside these hours. Temple No: 4177-246427

Very neat, well maintained temple with ample car parking out side.

Location:: Location : 25 Kms from Arakonam 35 Kms from Tiruvallur and 75 Kms from Chennai. On Chennai Bangalore Highway, Take right turn after Queensland straight drive for 25 kms to Thakkolam.