What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Vilwanatheswarar Temple?

Late medieval · Hindu · India

Vilwanatheswarar Temple

வில்வநாதேசுவரர் கோயில்

Tiruvallam, Tamil Nadu · 12.9839°, 79.2667°

Shiva (Vilwanatheswarar), with Parvati as VallambigaiNayak—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

750 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

16th c. Nayak structure; inscriptions from the 8th c.

Nayak

History & significance

One of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the 7th-century Tevaram, this temple in Thiruvalam preserves inscriptions running from the reign of Nandivarman II onward. Its five-tiered gopuram and unusual dvarapala figures are among its notable features.

Sthala katha — the legend

Vinayaka is said to have circumambulated his parents Shiva and Parvati at this spot and won a sacred mango, so the place became Thiruvalam, meaning circumambulation.

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