Thiruvalluvar Temple

About Thiruvalluvar Temple

The Ekambareswarar–Kamakshi Temple, commonly known as the Thiruvalluvar Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the poet-saint Valluvar in the neighborhood of Mylapore in Chennai, India. The shrine is located within the Ekambareswarar temple complex. Believed to have been constructed in the early 16th century, the temple was extensively renovated in the 1970s. Traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Saint Valluvar, the temple is the oldest ever built to Valluvar. The temple also serves as the venue for meetings of Tamil language enthusiasts and conducting Kural classes.

History

The temple was originally believed to be a village temple dedicated to Shiva during the times of Valluvar. Valluvar is traditionally believed to have been born under the iluppai or butter tree (Madhuca indica) within this temple complex, where he was found and taken for adoption by his foster parents. This claim is attributed to the poem Kapilar Akaval, which states that Valluvar was born on the top of an oil-nut or iluppai tree in Mayilapuram.

In his 1989 book entitled Thirumayilayin Thirukoilgal, S. Rajendran indicates that the temple was built in the early part of the 16th century. The book also mentions that the temple's history is documented much earlier by Nathamuni Mudaliar in 54 Tamil verses in his work entitled Thirumayilai Thalapuranam, which chronicles the history of various Shiva temples in Mylapore. The revised version of the work was later published as a book by N. Singaravelan Mudaliar in 1929. The Temple Directory of Madras City reports the claim that the temple was constructed by the Raja of Benares, although the dates are unknown.

Architecture and layout

The Valluvar shrine is located within the Ekambareswarar temple complex in a narrow lane adjacent to the Valluvar statue on Royapettah High Road, off Mundagakanni Amman Koil street at its northern end and off Nattu Subbaraya Street and behind the Thanithorai market in Mylapore. Situated on a 25-ground plot, the temple complex has exclusive sanctums for various deities, namely, Ganesha, Subramanya, Shiva (Ekambaranathar shiva linga) and Parvathi (Kamakshi), Thiruvalluvar and his consort Vasuki, Durga, the Navagrahas, and goddess Karumariamman (an incarnation of goddess Parvathi).

The sanctum of Valluvar is a two-roomed shrine enclosed by an open-pillared portico known as the maha mantapam or the meditation hall. The very first couplet of the Tirukkural is written at the entrance of Valluvar's sanctum. The Valluvar sanctum enshrines a large stone idol of Valluvar seated on a pedestal along with smaller bronze idols of both Valluvar and Vasuki below the pedestal. Valluvar's stone idol is sculpted in padmasana posture with chin mudra. The idol also features elongated ears, Linga on the head, rosary on one hand, palm-leaf manuscripts on the other, and a robe bearing the panchakshara mantra (five-lettered mantra) of "Namah Shivaya".

Festivals and worship

Although the official count of Nayanmars, or the canonical Saivite saints, is 63, Valluvar is often considered the 64th Nayanmar by various communities across South India as an important sign of honor, and several temples have the tradition of taking the idol of Valluvar in annual procession. The Valluvar temple at Mylapore, too, follows this tradition.

Like any other Hindu temple, the idols witness full traditional temple rituals on a daily basis. Abhishekam (bathing the idol) is performed twice a day, along with alankaram (decoration). In the morning, rice is offered as neivedhyam (offering). Draped in a white dhoti, the idol of Valluvar sports a dash of vibhuti (holy ash), kumkum (holy crimson), and sandalwood paste on the forehead. Poojas for Valluvar are performed in the morning while those for Ekambareshwarar in the morning and evening. The rituals are performed by the priests belonging to the Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities.

Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Thiruvalluvar Temple, Mylapore”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited for length; verify details locally.

Plan your visit

How to reach

The temple is inside Chennai, in Mylapore. Autos, app cabs and the city's buses reach it easily; leave extra time in evening traffic. Chennai airport (MAA) is about 12 km away. Open directions in Google Maps →

Timings: like most Tamil Nadu temples, expect an early-morning opening around 6 am, a midday closure from roughly noon to 4 pm, and evening darshan until about 8–9 pm. Festival days change everything, so confirm locally.

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Quick facts

Visiting

Most temples in Tamil Nadu open early morning and again in the evening, closing through the midday hours — plan darshan before noon or after 4pm and confirm timings locally, since festival days change everything. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), leave footwear at the stands provided, and note that some sanctums admit Hindus only while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone. Photography rules vary; ask before shooting inside.

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