Temple Location and History:
The Thirukazhipalai Temple, dedicated to Lord Balavannanathar and Goddess Vethanayagi, is situated in Cuddalore district. It is a celebrated shrine along the northern banks of the Kaveri River, known as the fourth sacred site in the region. This temple has been praised in the verses of prominent Tamil saints, including Thirunavukkarasar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, and Arunagirinathar.
Temple Legend:
Sage Kapila, renowned for visiting various sacred places on Earth to worship Lord Shiva, arrived at Thirukazhipalai, which was once filled with Vilva trees. He observed that the sand in this region was unusually white due to the divine cow Kamadhenu and other cows grazing and spontaneously sprinkling milk on the ground. Kapila used this white sand to create a Shiva Lingam and worshiped it. One day, a king named Sagaran passed by on horseback, and the horse’s hoof struck the Lingam, causing a large dent. Saddened by the damage, Kapila planned to replace the Lingam, but Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared and advised him not to replace it. Shiva explained that worshiping the Lingam, made from the divine white sand, would grant devotees prosperity and wealth. Thus, the deity became known as Balavannanathar, meaning the Lord of Milky White Sand.
Temple Structure:
The thousand-year-old temple has a three-tiered Rajagopuram (main tower) facing east. Inside, various deities are enshrined, including Nandi, Mahaganapathi, Lord Subramanya with Valli and Deivanai, and many others. The main sanctum houses Lord Balavannanathar, with a stone sculpture behind depicting Shiva and Parvati in their wedding form. The unique feature of the Lingam is the dent from the horse’s hoof, which holds about two liters of milk that is collected during the daily Abhishekam (ritual bathing) and given to devotees as Prasadam (holy offering), believed to have healing properties.
Bhairava Darshan:
Another notable aspect of the temple is the presence of Bhairavar in the southeast mandapam (hall), who is depicted without his usual dog vehicle and adorned with a garland of 27 skulls, similar to Bhairava in Kashi. Worshiping this Bhairava is believed to offer the same benefits as worshiping Bhairava in Kashi, particularly during special rituals on Ashtami, the eighth day of the waning moon.
Worship and Visiting Hours:
The temple is open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM and from 5:00 PM to 7:15 PM. It is accessible from Chidambaram by bus or auto, with the nearest railway station located in Chidambaram. The temple hosts regular worship and annual festivals, drawing devotees who believe in the divine blessings of Lord Balavannanathar.
Thirukazhipalai Balavannanathar Temple is revered for its unique Lingam, sacred legends, and the powerful presence of Bhairava, making it a significant spiritual destination for those seeking prosperity, health, and divine blessings.
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