Jalanadheeswarar Temple, Thakolam








 Jalanadheeswarar Temple, Thakkolam 

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       Thakkolam is a small Panchayat Town in Ranipet district around 70 kms from Madras. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalangadu  on the Madras -Arakonam line. The town is around 14 km from the station and can be reached by Auto. Thakkolam was the place which changed the history of succession of Imperial Cholas. It was here in the year 949 AD the famous Thakkolam war was fought between Cholas led by crown prince Rajaditya (son of Parantaka I) and the Rashtrakutas led by Krishna III.  It was a fierce battle were more than 3,00,000 people died on both sides.  Crown Prince Rajaditya was treacherously killed in the battle by an arrow while he was fighting on his Elephant. The Chola forces were forced to make a retreat after the death of their crown prince. This changed the history of Chola succession and the crown went to the remaining sons of Parantaka one by one and to Sundara Chola whose Son  the famous Raja Raja was able to become the King in 985 AD because of this historical war. Recently the memory of Crown Prince Rajaditya was remembered by the Govt of India by naming the CISF training institute here in his name.


       Thakkolam is also known for the famous Jalanadeeswarar Temple situated in the heart of the town. This is a Pallava era temple supposed to have been built during the reign of Pallava King  Aparajita Varman around  876 AD and renovated during Chola period later.  The 3 tier Raja Gopuram was built during the reign of Vijayanagar King  Sadasiva Raya around 1543 AD.   The presiding deity of the temple is facing East and the Amman Girija Kannikambigai in a separate shrine facing south. This is the 12th Siva temple of Thondaimandalam praised in sacred  Thevara hymns by Thirugnasambandar, Appar and Sundarar. Murugan shrine here is praised by Arunagirinathar in Thirupugazh.


       There are separate shrines for Lord Nataraja, Ayyappan, Murugan, Panchalingam, Navagrahams, Ganesh, Chandikeswarar, Kalabhairavar and Dakshinamurthy. Dakshinamurthy here is famous since he is in a dancing pose with a tilted face and legs in dancing pose listening to the grievances of the devotees. When this region was inundated with flood waters Mother Parvathi embraced the Lingam which is evident from the impression on the Lingam and the flood water also left traces on the Lingam . As it is believed that goddess is still embracing the Lingam the pujas are performed by the  priest with touching it. The Lingam here appears in red colour during Uttarayana  in  white colour during Dakshinayana period.


        In the good olden days this place was called Thiruvooral.  The temple tank is dilapidated and without water. The Annual Brahmotsavam during Chitrai, Aiipasi Annabishegam, Maha Sivarathri, Thiruvadhirai, Navarathri, Masi Magam and Pradosham are celebrated elaborately in this Temple. The Temple priest describes the importance of the temple vividly. An interesting temple to visit.

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