Jalantheeswarar Temple

🛕 Lord Shiva | 📍 Thirumullaivoyal, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu

Temple Tags: Parashurama Temple

✔ Verified by Mandirvaas

📍 Open in Maps

⏰ Darshan

Morning: 06:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 04:00 PM – 08:00 PM

📅 Best Time to Visit

Early morning or evening

📸 Photography

Not Allowed

🔱 Temple Significance

Masilamaniswara Temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams and is associated with the Thevaram hymns of the Tamil Shaiva saints. Sundarar praised Lord Masilamaniswarar in ten verses, and the temple is traditionally counted as the 52nd Paadal Petra Sthalam on the northern bank of the Cauvery.

The presiding deity is Masilamaniswarar, while Goddess Parvati is worshipped as Kodiyidai Nayagi. The name Kodiyidai refers to the slender waist of the Goddess, compared traditionally with a jasmine creeper.

The temple is especially famous for its unusual Nandi orientation. Unlike most Shiva temples where Nandi faces the sanctum, the Nandi here faces outward, traditionally believed to be ready to go to battle on Lord Shiva's command.

The temple is also one of the Sakthi Triad of Tondaimandalam, along with the Vadivudai Amman shrine at Tiruvottiyur and the Thiruvudai Amman shrine at Minjur

🏛 Temple History

The temple is believed to have been built by the Cholas during the 9th century CE, with later additions made by successive Chola rulers and other ruling dynasties. Inscriptions from the Medieval Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara periods are found at the temple.

An inscription from the reign of Uttama Chola records a land donation made by Sembiyan Mahadevi, the mother of Uttama Chola. Other inscriptions belong to the reigns of Rajendra I, Kulothunga III and Rajaraja III. Pandya and Vijayanagara inscriptions also demonstrate the continued importance of the temple.

The temple's architecture therefore reflects several stages of development rather than belonging exclusively to one period.

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Daily Poojas

Regular temple worship schedule

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No daily poojas available.

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Special Rituals

Sacred offerings and temple rituals

🕉️

No special rituals available currently.

🎉 Temple Festivals

No festivals available.

🧭 Pilgrim Travel Tips

By Train: Thirumullaivoyal Railway Station is the convenient railway stop.
By Bus: Frequent buses operate through the Chennai–Avadi corridor.
By Road: The temple is easily accessible from Avadi and Ambattur.
Special Feature: Do not miss the unusual outward-facing Nandi.
Architecture: Observe the Gaja Prishtam / Thoonganai Maadam vimana.
Amman Shrine: The Kodiyidai Nayagi shrine has special importance.
Paadal Petra Sthalam: Useful stop for devotees following the Thevaram pilgrimage circuit.
Chitra Pournami: The temple is associated with the traditional visit to the three Tondaimandalam Sakthi shrines.
Festival: Maha Shivaratri is an important annual observance.
Timings: Check HR&CE timings before travelling, especially on festival days.