Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple
Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams — the Shiva temples glorified in the Tevaram hymns of the Nayanmar saints.
About Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple
Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, located at Padi, a north-western neighbourhood of Chennai, India. Shiva is worshiped as Thiruvalleswar meaning as Divine (Thiru) God (Eeswar) of Valiyan (Sparrow), referring to Maharishi Bharadwaj, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Jagathambikai. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Legend
As per Hindu legend, the sage Bharadwaja worshipped the presiding deity in the form of a Valiyan or sparrow. The place was hence called Valithayam, meaning the one worshipped by a sparrow. Padi historically is referred to the place used to store armory. Shiva has been worshipped by Rama, Bharadwaja, Hanuman, Surya, Chandra, Indra, and Valiyan here. During the medieval times, the place was the site for multiple wars, which razed the structure of the temple. As per Tamil, the Tiruvaipaadi is called Padi, which led to the modern name of the place. As per another legend, Brihaspati or Jupiter who was cursed by Menaka.
History
The original structure of the temple have been built by The temple is closely associated with Rajaraja Chola III. There are 14 inscriptions from the Chola empire, with the oldest dating back to Tribuvana Chakravarthy Vijayakanda Gopalan who donated multiple jewels to Nachiyar. The inscriptions are counted as 214-28 of 1910. As per the inscriptions, during the regime of Rajaraja III, the temple was in a place called Chintamanipuram. The temple is referred as Ambattur Nadu, Puzhar kottam and Jayamkonda Cholapuram in various inscriptions. The inscriptions denote the presiding deity as Thiruvalithamudaya Nayanar and the Ambal as Thiruveethi Nachiyar.
Architecture and layout
The temple is located in Padi, a neighbourhood in Chennai and the nearest railhead, Korattur is 2.2 km away from the temple. The temple covers an area of close to an 1 acre (0.40 ha). The temple has three prakarams (closed precincts of a temple) and many mandapams (halls). The temple faces east and is entered via a three-tiered pyramidal rajagopuram (gateway tower). The presiding deity in the form of lingam is housed in the sanctum in Gajabrashta shape (sitting pose of an elephant). The attached hall, the ardhamandapa or semi-circled hall measures the same width as the sanctum, while its length is twice the sanctum.
Festivals and worship
The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaiva community. The temple rituals are performed four times a day; Ushathkalam at 6:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Tiruvalleswarar and Jagadambika.
Tirugnana Sambandar, the 7th-century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated Thiruvalleswarar, which are compiled in the Tirumurai. As the temple is revered in Tevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. Arunagirinathar has sung praise on Lord Murugan at this temple.
Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple”, 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 Chennai. 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.
Today at a glance
Chennai time (IST), from our own panchangam. Nalla Neram is the good window; avoid Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam for starting a journey or a ritual.
Festival days to plan around
- Maha Shivaratri — February–March
- Pradosham — twice a month, evening
- Arudra Darshan — December–January
- Karthigai Deepam — November–December
Exact dates move with the lunar calendar every year; the festival calendar lists them to 2031, and the daily panchangam shows the tithi and nakshatra for any date.
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Quick facts
| Deity | Shiva |
| Town | Chennai |
| District | Chennai district |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Sacred lists | Chennai Temples · Paadal Petra Sthalams |
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.
Timing a visit? Check today’s panchangam for auspicious windows and festival days, and use our free itinerary builder to slot temples, food and rest into your day.
Temples near Chennai
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Frequently asked
Where is Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple?
Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple is in Chennai, within Chennai city. It is reachable by auto, app cab or city bus; Chennai airport is about 12 km away.
What are the timings at Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple?
Most Tamil Nadu temples open around 6 am, close from about noon to 4 pm, and reopen until 8–9 pm. Festival days follow a different schedule, so confirm locally before you travel.
What should I wear?
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Footwear is left outside at the stands provided. Some inner sanctums admit Hindus only, while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone.
When is the best time to visit Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple?
The temple is busiest and most atmospheric on its festival days: Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham, Arudra Darshan. For a quiet darshan, come on a weekday morning outside festival season. Check the daily panchangam for Rahu Kalam before setting out.