Thiruvalangadu Trip on 19-March 2022
Thiruvalangadu is an important historical place in Tamilnadu. On 19th March 2022, Thadagam publishers arranged a one-day trip from Chennai.
Akhil and I joined this trip and we were excited since we are traveling after 2 years of Corona lockdowns.
Highlight of this trip was Dr.G.Sasikala, Archaeologist, who explained the location's history very well with religious concepts. She taught us how to interpret local stories for the actual meaning reflecting state of the society. Amutharasan of Thadagam (https://www.thadagam.com/) organized the trip well.
Akhil and I enjoyed sketching at the temple. After the trip, I made more drawings from the photos I took. My favorite was the big pipal tree near the Temple pond. The tree was literally calling me.. We enjoyed taking photos, discussions and making new friendships.
This location is around 70km from Chennai. We started at 7:00 am from Adyar, Chennai. After breakfast at Thiruvallur, we reached the temple.
The beautiful temple pond welcomed us. It was of a deep emerald color. There were local ladies selling pori (puffed rice) for fishes in the pond and asked the visitors to buy. To our surprise, there were no fish in the pond. These ladies would simply smile and move on to the next visitor asking to buy the pori..
The temple, built by the Cholas during the 12th century CE (though inscriptions evidence the 5th century CE) it is one of the 5 majestic cosmic dance halls of Lord Shiva, known as "Ratna Sabai". Lord Shiva in the temple is named Vadavaraneshwarar. He performed cosmic dance here and appeared for Karaikaal Ammaiyar at this location. There was a fight or tussle happened between Kaali and Shiva here, which represents the traditional society changing from mother-based society to father-based society and balance happening between them as explained by Dr.Sasikala, Archaeologist.
Thiruvalangadu is also famous for the legend of Pazhayanoor Neeli who took revenge on her cheating husband in the next life. In this event, 70 custodians of the village, honest farmers sacrifice their lives. The story can be read on the internet.
We also visited a megalithic burial site where Neeli is believed to have meditated in the end. There is a huge Dolman present there. Dr.Sasikala also said that pre-historic-human and stone-age humans lived here. She also showed the stone tools found at the site. It was really exciting to see and touch the stones. There are numerous small stones present at the site and they are in the shape of lingam. It is believed that due to this, Kaaraikaal Ammaiyar walked there using head and hands instead of legs. The trip was very enriching.
_ Muralidharan Alagar
https://www.muralidharanalagar.com/
View of Vadaranyeshwarar Temple from pond, Pen & Watercolor, A4 size, Available.
Women at Vadaranyeshwarar Temple from pond, Pen & Watercolor, A4 size, Available.
Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Pen & Watercolor, A4 size, Available.
Shiva @ Thiruvalangadu, Pen & Watercolor, A4 size, Available.
Shiva's Nandhi @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu, Pen & Watercolor, A4 size, Available.
View of Vadaranyeshwarar Temple pond
Snake statues @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple pond
Women washing clothes @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple pond.
Akhil and me @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple pond
Kali Temple near Vadaranyeshwarar Temple
Entrance of Kali Temple near Vadaranyeshwarar Temple
Lion at Kali Temple near Vadaranyeshwarar Temple
Vadaranyeshwarar Temple façade
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Amutharasan and me @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Akhil running @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Selfie with Akhil @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Sketching @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Akhil sketching @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Dr. G. Sasikala, Archaeologist explaining @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Miniature sculptures @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Our group @ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Vadaranyeshwarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Kailasanathar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Kailasanathar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
@ Kailasanathar Temple, Thiruvalangadu.
Place where 70 farmers sacrificed in Neeli story
Place where 70 farmers sacrificed in Neeli story
Dr. G. Sasikala, Archaeologist finding Stone age tool.
Dr. G. Sasikala, Archaeologist finding Stone age tool.
Dolman @ Thiruvalangadu
Dolman @ Thiruvalangadu
Stones looking like lingam near Dolman @ Thiruvalangadu