Takkolam

Sri Jalanatheeswarar Temple

Jalanatheeswarar Temple

Sri Jalanatheeswarar temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Thiruvooral , Takkolam which is 58.0 kms from Chennai and 26 kms from Kanchipuram. This is one of the padal petra sthalams and the temple is more than 1000 years old.This ancient temple is believed to have been built by king Rajaraja Chola-II.

There are many legends behind this 1000 years plus old temple, one of them is that King Sivathithan who ruled Thiruvural was troubled by a demon called Thakkan. The King prayed to Lord Shiva of this temple and Lord Siva instructed Goddess Kali to destroy the demon. Goddess Kali fought and destroyed Thakkan. It is said that since Thakkan made a loud and plaintive cry (Olam in Tamil) before being killed by Goddess Kali, this place got the name Thakkan's Olam,Thakkolam.

As per another legend,the divine cow Kamadhenu, is also believed to have worshipped the lord here by pouring milk on the lingam. She was cured of a curse and got back her original form and power. Lord Indiran is believed to have come to Thiruvooral and took her back to the Deva Logam.

Another legend is that Goddess Parvathi was insulted by her father Dakshan during a yagna, and she came to this place and installed a lingam made of sand. Once while performing a penance, this region was flooded by rising waters,and to protect the lingam, Goddess Parvathi embraced it. The markings that can still be seen on the idol. Since this Lingam is believed to have been embraced by Goddess Parvathi, it is not touched by human hands even now. Poojas are performed by the archakas without touching it.

Temple Praharam

The Temple: The main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3 tiers and is facing the west and has two prharams (corridors). The Shiva in this temple is a Suyambu (self manifested) facing east.An unique feature of the Shiva Lingam here is that during the six months covering Utharayanam (from mid January to July), the Shivalingam appears red when crops are fertile during rain and during the Dakshinayanam (from mid July to January), the Shivalingam turns white during the dry drought period.

Saptha Matha

There is a seperate sannidhis for Lord Ganesha, Subramanya with his consorts, Saint Sambanthar ( Thiruvooral Sambanthar), Iyappan, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Mahavishnu, Durgai, Saptha Madhas, Bhairavar, Maha Vishnu, Mahalakshmi and Navagrahas.Lord Dakshinamurthy can be seen in a seated posture. He has his head slightly tilted, legs crossed as if he is listening to your prayers. This is one of the most important Dakshinamurthy temples in Tamil Nadu.

Faiths & Beleifs: Devotees who do good deeds in this temple would get multifold benefits. This temple is also a parihara sthalam for doshas related to Guru ( Jupiter).

Festivals  Apart from the regular poojas, Pradosham days are celeberated in a grand manner. Special poojas are performed during Guru Peyarchi.

Temple location The temple is around 26 kms from Kanchipuram in Kanchipuram Arakkonam road and 12 kms from Arakkonam.

Temple Timings  The temple is open from 4:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

How to reach?  This is well connected by many local trains,town buses, from Arakkonam and Chennai.

Where to Stay? There are no big hotels here in Takkolam, but there are many good hotels at all budgets in Kanchipuram.

Other notable temples nearbyOther Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Thakkolam are Ilambaiyangkottor (10 kms), Thiruvirkolam (16 kms), Thirumalpur (17 kms), Thirupachur (26 kms) and Thiruvenpakkam/Poondi (35 kms).

Contact Sri Jalanatheeswarar Temple
Thakkolam Post
Arakkonam Taluk
Vellore District
Tamil Nadu 631 151
Tele: +91- 4177-246 427.
Contact : Sri Babu Gurukkal at 099947 86919.
Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Vellore
Famous for: Pilgrimage
Languages: English,Tamil
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very sultry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level