God : Thandeshwarar
Goddess : Angalamman
Tirth : Agni thirtam
Stala Vriksha : Vilvam (Bael), Mayilkonrai (Peacock flower)
Location :
The temple is situated in Melmalayanur at the distance of 35 km from Tiruvannmamalai via Avalurpet, 20 km from Gingee via Valathi and 160 km from Chennai via Tindivanam.
History :
The shrine in ancient time was called as “Thandakarunyam” surrounded by urban areas of Plour, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Gingee and Villupuram. The core of Thandakarunyam is the place “Melmalayanur” where the temple is presently located. In ancient times, the areas comprised of Cholamandalam’s Thondaimandalam was ruled by the most powerful kings called “Kadaiezhu vallalgal”. Among them, the king “Malayan” ruled the core place of Thandakarunyam called “Poongavanam”.
Often said, the place was mounted (malai) and since it was ruled by king “Malayan”. Hence the name “Melmalyanaur” was developed. With regard to the litadel (kottai) build by ruler, where the footsteps and present in the wall, even now a street named “Kottaimettu street” proves to be an evidence.
In older days, Sri Angalamman was worshipped as “Poongavanathal” evidene of which is the song “Poongavil oozhunarai Oongara sakthiye Poongavana thaiye” in 10 songs “Pathitrupathu”
To the Northeast of Melmalyanur is sited the Actiristic steps of thirukulam called “Agni tirta”.
Mythical History :
In the earliest days,like Lord siva, Brahma also had 5 head. In appearance like siva, Brahma went to Kailash at once. Devi parvathi thinking him as her counterpart does “padhapooja” and worships him.
Meanwhile Lord siva also arrives and Parvathi soon realizes her mistake. With the through of punishing Brahma. She worships siva and tells him “he did not object when I mistakenly did pooja for him “and asks siva to cut brahma’s one head. As requested by parvathi, Lord siva slahes Brahma’s head and the fallen head gets struck to hands of siva.Thus lord siva obtains “Brahmahasti dosha”.
Learning about the plight of her counterpart with anger Devi Saraswathi curses Siva to wander around the cemetery (Mayanam) with Brahmahasti dosha and Devi parvathi to wander around with a terrible look wearing plant vines.
Due to dosha, Brahmakabalam that Siva holds strarts eating the food fallen in to it. Thus lord Siva without food,with hunger and thirst wandered around forest hills. There in he went to a cemetery and applied ash all over his body.
Devi parvathi then approaches “Lord Thirumal” for redemption from curse.Along with siva, they reach Thandakarunyam where she ask shiva to make a Trita from the cemetery. This trita is widely offered as “Agni trita” made by lord shiva using his trident (sulayudham). Goddess Devi then served food in the cemetery. While having the food, siva’s Brahmakabalam started to fall from his hand after which he bathed in the Trita and got himself redempted from dosha.
Then kabalam got into the hands of parvathi, who with Giantic appearance stamps kabalam with her leg, wear it as a garland around her heck. Parvathi’s terrible look vanishs away and the present fronm us worshipped as “Arulmigu Angalamman”.
To serens Sri angalamman who appars fury wearing kabalamalai, Devi parthvathi says, on the darkness day (Amavasai) people will come seeking your blessings and yu will have to shower your blessings on them. L:ikewise agalamman and Thandesswarar the Siva peruman showers blessings to all living beings who worships them.
There is a legand that Lord shiva having Bramahasti dosha a reaches Malayanur, the locality of Goddess poongavanam and stay in the night and that day is widely known and celebrated as “Mahashivaratri”.
Greatness of temple :
Following day of Mahashivarathiri is Amavasai, on which day trisakthi of 63 sakthi converts into 9 Navasakthi, 7 sapta sakthi, 5 panja sakthi to appear as Mupeundevi and accumulates into a real sakthi. It is known that as siresathi and om sakthi as oongara sakthi, Goddess Angalamman does “Sooraiyiduthal” and distributes food to the spirits. To uave those food served by sri Angalamman spirits desund to earth on ammavasai night. Whose heads are jointed in to a lemon garland and worn by considered to be the place of redemption of lord shiva’s brammahathi dosha, the first god of Trimurti, it is believed, devotees are come continuously for 3 times on Ammavasai is sold to get rid of aqll dosha, disease, eaval, pilli, suniyam, katteri settai by Amman’s blessings.
To perform”Kula deiva vazhipadu” devotees come on Fridays and Sundays to perform riluals like “mottaiadithal”, ear piercing ceremony, does pooja with pongal and abishegam, kanjuli kabalavesham, veepanseelai and Manjal aadai. There are considered to be the specialities of the shrine and whatever is prayed by the devotees are believed to come true with Sri Angalamman’s blessings.
This temple belongs to the category of “Ilangovil” Amman’s form in Garbagriha of the shrine is designed by early kings of chola dynasty. “Suyambu Putru Amman” is said tohave existed around 3000 years ago. The glory of the shrine is enumerated in the songs sung by Madhanga Munivar and Sannu munivar.
Festivels :
On Every amavasai midnight 12’ clock ”Angalamman unjal urchavam” is performed. On the 7th day from mahasivarathiri in the tamil month of “maasi” “Brahmorchavam” along with “Therottem” is performed.
Annadanam :
With regard to the Annadanam scheme put forth by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, 100 people are served food everyday. Spiritual lessons are also taught to the children.
Poojas :
Timing Pooja
Morning – 6.00 a.m. Kalaisanthi
Evening – 4.00 p.m Sayaratchai
Temple Darshan timing :
The shrine is open for darahan on everyday from morning 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. at night and full day on amavasai.
Transportation facilities :
Bus facilities are available from Tiruvannamalai, villupuram and Gingee. Direct bus are also available from Chennai. Moreover auto runs from Avalurpet and Valathi to the temple.
Accomodations facilities :
Temple owned rooms are available for the devotees and private owned rooms are also available in Melmalayanr.
Contact details :
Koil PH.No : 04145- 234201
Office Ph.No : 04145-234229, 234291
Foundation YearSthala TreeTheerthamRathamArchitectureOther Speciality