Thakkolam (Also Called Thiruvooragam)is a very historical place between Arakonam and Kanchipuram . It was the place where the early Cholas were vanquished by the Rashtrakutas in 949 AD. There are eight Shiva temples in Thakkolam which are talked about in history. Only the Jalanadheshwara temple is sung about by Sri Gnanasambandar.The temple was initially built by Pallavas and renovated by the later Cholas as well as the Hoysalas lastly, hence there is a lot of antiquity here. The Vigrahas are exquisitely carved. The durgai, Brahma and Mahavishnu in the Kosta are all exquisite.
How to reach:
The town of Thakkolam can be reached from arakonam towards Kanchipuram at about 12 kms
It can also be reached from Kanchipuram in about 35 kms along the Arakonam road. Proceeding from Chennai you can take a right turn at the Vellai gate Railway bridge on the Bangalore Chennai highway NH4 after kanchi and cross Govindawadi, Tirumalpur and reach Thakkolam
Thakkolam can also be reached from NH4 closer to Chennai. On the highway when you come from Chennai take a right turn at Empee distilleries after the Saveetha Medical college. The road leads to Thandalam, Perumbakkam, Koovam next is Thakkolam and beyond is Arakonam . It is about 39 kms from NH4.
Legends of the temple:
Parvathy as Giri raja kanni ( Unmarried) created the Shivalinga with sand and did penance to Shiva here .During a pralayam she hugged the lord for saving her and the lord obliged. There is a depression on the lingam to corroborate this.
Daksha (Thakkan in Tamil) repented for his sin in disrespecting shiva and was blessed by Shiva here( Thakkan= Dakshan olam= Cry was changed to Thakkolam)
Once a rishi cursed kamadhenu as she did not accompany him for pujas, she was unable to come as she had to obtain Indra’s permission. when she refused she was cursed and hence she redeemed herself by worshipping Shiva with her milk. The ancient construction 0of the temple was that there was constant water flowing from the Nandi’s mouth and washing the base of the Sivalingam before joining the river but this is no longer the case due to water table receding. The Lord’s name is also Gangadeeshwara here.
The Dakshinamurthy here is in yogic posture with left ear turned down to listen to the pleas of the devotees and is the third famous guru sthalam after Alangudi and Mayavaram.
When you look at the kosta vigrahas they seem to be seeing you clearly .All of them are marvelous pieces of Carving
View of the Gopuram and Murugan sanidhi from inside . In front of this spot is the North facing entrance to the main praharam
Seen above is the Kodimaram on the eastern side
The entrance to the main sannidhi is seen below on the Southern side
There are two halls you need to cross before you enter the main praharam . The Shivalingam is made of sand and is usually white in colour in the Dakshinayanam and in uttarayanam is red. The Lord here is untouched by even the Kurukkal’s hand and is called “Theenda Thirumeni” the untouched god.There are no abhishekams to the lord
(For exquisite pics of the inside of the temple and the Koshta vigrahas please see http://www.takkolam.com/2010/11/jalanatha-eswarar-temple-images.html)
The kosta vigrahas are all very delicate and arresting. I have already alluded to Vinayaka and Dakshinamurthy. The Western side has Mahavishnu on the sitting posture. Brahma and Vishnu durga are both equally exquisite and you spend so much time appreciating the timeless art.
There is also a Vallabha samedha Ganapathy and the Mahalakshmi in addition to Saptha kannikas and Suryan, Chandra and Bhairavar.
The Ambal sannidhi is separate outside. She is Facing North and is seen standing Majestically.. See the link above for a pic of the moolavars.
The Kurukkal:Babu Sivachariar Cell:9994786919 was very helpful. . I landed there at 12 noon and he had left He returned on getting news that some one had come and showed us around with great humility and explained all aspects. He said this was a Guru parihara sthalam and Thu and Sundays were busy.
Temple is open between 6 AM to 12 noon and 4 PM to 8 PM
How to reach:
The town of Thakkolam can be reached from arakonam towards Kanchipuram at about 12 kms
It can also be reached from Kanchipuram in about 35 kms along the Arakonam road. Proceeding from Chennai you can take a right turn at the Vellai gate Railway bridge on the Bangalore Chennai highway NH4 after kanchi and cross Govindawadi, Tirumalpur and reach Thakkolam
Thakkolam can also be reached from NH4 closer to Chennai. On the highway when you come from Chennai take a right turn at Empee distilleries after the Saveetha Medical college. The road leads to Thandalam, Perumbakkam, Koovam next is Thakkolam and beyond is Arakonam . It is about 39 kms from NH4.
Legends of the temple:
Parvathy as Giri raja kanni ( Unmarried) created the Shivalinga with sand and did penance to Shiva here .During a pralayam she hugged the lord for saving her and the lord obliged. There is a depression on the lingam to corroborate this.
Daksha (Thakkan in Tamil) repented for his sin in disrespecting shiva and was blessed by Shiva here( Thakkan= Dakshan olam= Cry was changed to Thakkolam)
Once a rishi cursed kamadhenu as she did not accompany him for pujas, she was unable to come as she had to obtain Indra’s permission. when she refused she was cursed and hence she redeemed herself by worshipping Shiva with her milk. The ancient construction 0of the temple was that there was constant water flowing from the Nandi’s mouth and washing the base of the Sivalingam before joining the river but this is no longer the case due to water table receding. The Lord’s name is also Gangadeeshwara here.
The Dakshinamurthy here is in yogic posture with left ear turned down to listen to the pleas of the devotees and is the third famous guru sthalam after Alangudi and Mayavaram.
When you look at the kosta vigrahas they seem to be seeing you clearly .All of them are marvelous pieces of Carving
View of the Gopuram and Murugan sanidhi from inside . In front of this spot is the North facing entrance to the main praharam
Seen above is the Kodimaram on the eastern side
The entrance to the main sannidhi is seen below on the Southern side
There are two halls you need to cross before you enter the main praharam . The Shivalingam is made of sand and is usually white in colour in the Dakshinayanam and in uttarayanam is red. The Lord here is untouched by even the Kurukkal’s hand and is called “Theenda Thirumeni” the untouched god.There are no abhishekams to the lord
(For exquisite pics of the inside of the temple and the Koshta vigrahas please see http://www.takkolam.com/2010/11/jalanatha-eswarar-temple-images.html)
The kosta vigrahas are all very delicate and arresting. I have already alluded to Vinayaka and Dakshinamurthy. The Western side has Mahavishnu on the sitting posture. Brahma and Vishnu durga are both equally exquisite and you spend so much time appreciating the timeless art.
There is also a Vallabha samedha Ganapathy and the Mahalakshmi in addition to Saptha kannikas and Suryan, Chandra and Bhairavar.
The Ambal sannidhi is separate outside. She is Facing North and is seen standing Majestically.. See the link above for a pic of the moolavars.
The Kurukkal:Babu Sivachariar Cell:9994786919 was very helpful. . I landed there at 12 noon and he had left He returned on getting news that some one had come and showed us around with great humility and explained all aspects. He said this was a Guru parihara sthalam and Thu and Sundays were busy.
Temple is open between 6 AM to 12 noon and 4 PM to 8 PM
