About
Alankaravalli Sametha Padaleeswarar Temple (or) Padaleshwarar Temple (or) Padaleswarar Temple is located in Haridwaramangalam in Valangaiman Taluk near Kumbakonam. This is one of the Pancha Aranya Sthalam – the 5 temples that are to be visited in order in a single day- Thirukarugavur, Avalivanallur, Haridwaramangalam, Alangudi, and Thriukollambudur.
History / Legend
The history goes that when Lord Vishnu dug a pit in this place, the Linga rose by itself, as a Swayambumurthy. Lord Shiva broke the horn of the Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu, and hence the name Haridwaramangalam. Goddess Alankaravalli, Alankara Nayagi is considered as the power of Goddess Durga, and there is no shrine for Durga Devi here. Goddess here wards off problems of marriage related issues and child birth to the devotees. From the debts, God Shiva here as Padaleshwarar relieves His devotees.
Architecture
It is a staunch belief that worshipping here is equivalent to worshipping Haridwar. There are shrines here for Nataraja, Vinayaka, Kasi Viswanatha, Bhairava, Shani, Sun and Moon. Shrines for sages Vyakrapada and Patanjali too are present. Sapthamadhas too are present in this temple. The temple has a 3 tier Rajagopura, and this is a temple that is one of the Paadal Petra Sthlams. 275 Lord Shiva temples are praised in Devaram by 4 saints. In his hymns, Thiru Gnana Sambandar praises Lord Shiva here, which is the 216th hymn.
Festivals
Vaikasi Visakam which is during mid of May and mid of June, and Marghazhi Thiruvadhirai( during December – January) are celebrated here with grandeur.
More Information
The temple has a huge complex, and unfortunately left unattended in many parts. When I entered into the temple, in the evening on a day, the gates were open but none. As the temple is in a remote village, devotees flock rarely, and that too only in the morning hours. When I went there next morning, fortunately, the temple priest was available. It is quite usual that the temple remains with no priest after 12 noon.
Best Time To Viait
Visiting the temple for the noon puja hours is considered good for debt relief, marriage and child birth. For those who want to do special offerings should get all the necessary materials in the town before reaching the temple. T
How To Reach
he temple is 22 km far from Kumbakonam, and 30 km from Tanjavur. Town buses ply from Tanjavur and Kumbakonam in decent numbers. If you are planning to visit here as a part of 5 sthalas, you can travel easily from Avalivanallur, as it is just 3KM apart.
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