Ramagiri Valeeswarar Swamy Temple

Ramagiri Valeeswarar Swamy Temple History and Timings

Ramagiri village has two main temples, one is Subramanya Swamy temple which is located on top of the hill, and the other one at the foot of the hill. Subramanya Swamy temple at the top of the hill is a new temple, built in the year 1969. The temple which is located at the foot of the hill is The Vaaleeswarar Swamy temple, which has many legends associated with. Though this is a Shiva Temple, the Pradhana Murthy (primary deity) here is Sri Kala Bhairavar, also called as Santhana Praapthi Bhairavar.

Legend of Ramagiri Valeeswarar Swamy Temple

As per the legend, Lord Sree Rama wanted to perform pooja to Lord Siva in Rameswaram, which is in the Southern part of Tamil Nadu. To perform pooja he needs Shiva Linga so he ordered Lord Hanuman to bring an idol of Shiv Linga from Kasi, which is located in the Northern part of India. When Hanuman was returning from Kasi via Ramagiri, Lord Bhairavar used his power to make Hanuman sweat and get tired. Hanuman wanted to have water and saw a pond in this site. He handed over the Shiv Linga to a boy without knowing the fact that it was Bhairavar. After having water, he returned to the same place to collect the Idol, he noticed that the Shiv Linga is already installed on the ground. He tried his level best to lift the idol and all his efforts went vain. Ultimately, he cursed the pond to become a hill and flown to Kasi to get another Shiva Linga. It is believed that the hill which got created due to the curse of Lord Hanuman is called Ramagiri. As the Shiv Linga idol was pulled by the tail of Hanuman, it got the name “Vaaleeswarar”. In the Tamil language, “Vaal” means “tail” and Vaalam is the Sanskrit word for Tail. Even today we can see that Shiva Linga Idol slightly tilted toward North.

Ramagiri Valeeswarar Swamy Temple History

Ramagiri Vaaleeswarar Swamy temple is believed to be built by Pallava king in the 9th century A.D. There is a pond near to Temple with full of pure water. The water comes out from the mouth of a Nandi idol. The water here flows for all the days in a year. Near the Nandi idol. The temple pond which is situated in front of the temple is called Nandi Theertham. There is a small Shiva Linga Idol next to the Pond. Nandi’s front half is seen protruding from the wall of the pond. The water originating somewhere from the hill reaches a small well and from there it passes and comes through this Nandi’s mouth and flows into the pond. Native Villagers say that they have never seen this water flow stops, since their memory. Also, they are sure about the source from where the water reaches Nandi. One more speciality of this temple is, this is the only Shiva Temple in which Pradhosham is not celebrated.

There is also a shrine for Lord Ganesha. Behind Ganesha Temple, there is a way with steps that takes you to the hilltop temple of Subramanya Swamy Temple.

There is no Raja Gopuram or Dwajasthambham (flag post) for the temple. This temple is basically divided into two divisions. The first division has Bhairavar as the main deity whereas the second division has Shiva Linga named as Vaaleeswarar as the main deity.

This is one rare temple having a tall magnificent idol of Bhairavar in the main sanctum sanctorum. You can find the idol of the dog in front of the main shrine, as the dog is the Vahan for Bhairav. Adjacent to Bhairavar shrine, there is a separate shrine for the Goddess Kalika matha. The corridor surrounding the Bhairavar shrine has small idols of Bhairavar with various postures on the walls. The entrance of Bhairavar shrine has two Shiva Lingas and a Siddhi Vinayaka idol with a different look of trunk.

The other part of the temple is dedicated Lord Shiva named as Vaaleeswarar. He is in the form of a Shiva Linga slightly tilted. Opposite to him is a small Nandi idol and Hanuman idol. Usually, Hanuman stands opposite to Rama Idol, but not in front of Shiva. There is also another big artistically beautiful Nandi idol. The entrance of Shiva main shrine has two big idols of Dwarapalaks. Ganesha and Chandramouleeswarar (Shiva Linga) are also found in the entrance.

The idols of Brahma, Vishnu, Shanmuga, Veerabhadra, Durga, Surya, Chandikeswarar, Sapta Mata, Dakshinamurthy, Ayyappa, Anjaneya, and Appar are found in the corridor. The idol of the saint Agastya is found in a different posture; his head is covered with a hat like covering. There is an idol for Ganesha named as Gajamukha which is a fantastic example of Pallava sculptural style. The idol of Veerabhadra in the sitting posture is a rare idol. The idol of Ganesh near the entrance of the main shrine is also looking different and very attractive.

There is a separate shrine for the Goddess of the temple Maragadambigai. The idol is big and attractive. In the wall, you can find a small carving depicting the scene of Hanuman pulling the Shiv Linga.

This temple is a calm and serene location where you will get the antique feeling and experience tranquillity.

Lord Shiva has five faces – Isaanam, Thathpurusham, Vaamadhevam, Sathyojaatham and Agoram. There are five Shiva temples (called Pancha Brahma Sthalams) near Chennai, representing each of these faces. Vaaleeswarar temple of Ramagiri represents the Isaana face of Shiva. Bhairavar of this temple is also called as Santana Prapthi Bhairavar. It is believed that if the childless couple worships Bhairavar of this temple, they will be blessed with a child.

Directions to Ramagiri Valeeswarar Swamy Temple

Tirupati -> Puttur  -> Narayanavananam Road -> Picchatur  -> Ramagiri. Ramagiri is 2 Km away from Picchatur. It is on the Bypass Road only.

From Chennai , Chennai -> Tiruvallur -> Uttukottai -> Surutapalli -> Ramagiri.

Temple is 58 Km away from Tirupati and 75 km from Chennai.

Ramagiri Valeeswarar Swamy Temple Timings: 8 am –  11:45 am and 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm

Ramagiri Valeeswarar Swamy Temple Gallery

Ramagiri Vaaleeswarar Swamy Temple Reference Link: details