Bharani Nakshatra : Vataaranyaeswarar Temple - Thiruvalangadu

Nakshatra/Birth Star : Bharani Nakshatra
Adidevatha / Adipathi of Nakshatra : Rahu (North lunar node)
Symbol : Yoni, the female organ of reproduction
Deity : Yama, god of death or Dharma

Rahu resides in Vadabhadra Kali.

People's whose Birth star sign is Bharani Nakshatra have to visit Vataaranyaeswarar Temple - Thiruvalangadu in Tamil Nadu twice in an year or atleast once in an year. Should stay in the temple or premises for two and half hours. Visit the Temple in your Birth star or Nakshatra i.e visit the temple in Bharani Nakshatra

Vataaranyaeswarar Temple - Thiruvalangadu

PARVATI: Known here as Vandarkuzhali.
Thiruvalangadu is one of the 5 Sabai’s where Lord Shiva has performed his cosmic dances.This place is called the Rathina Sabai (Gem Court).

The other Sabai’s are as follows:

Chidambaram ( Sky ) - Kanaga sabai
Thiruvalangadu ( Gems ) - Rathina sabai
Thirukkutralam ( Art ) - Chitra sabai
Thirunelveli ( Copper ) - Tamira sabai
Madurai ( Silver ) - Rajatha sabai

Kali Temple:
There is a Kali temple near by the tank and is slightly away from the main temple. Not sure for what reason, we were asked to visit the Kali temple first and then visit the main temple.

Kali here is in standing posture or rather dancing posture. Kali’s both the foot are kept apart such that the ankles face each other and the toes are on the opposite direction. Both her knees are slightly bent and one can immediately identify that this is the dancing position. Obviously dress on the Goddess will not allow you to have a good look at this posture so you are at the mercy of both Goddess and the priest in the temple. I was fortunate to have seen this posture.

History of the temple :
It was the time when both Lord Shiva and Kali had debate on who is the best dancer. To conclude and make a decision a competition was arranged. This was witnessed by all the God’s and Godess including sages.

The dance performance started and each had their turn to demonstrate their talent and non are less competent. During this period, Shiva’s ear ring falls down and in order to avoid any hindrance to the performance he uses his right leg to pick the ear ring wars it his ear.

Kali being women cannot raise her legs that high in front of crowd and thus gets defeated. Hence she is in his temple in her dancing pose.

Main Temple:
Main temple is very large and very old. The entrance of the temple has all Shiva postures in the Pancha Sabai with their names.

The lord here is known as Vataaranyaeswarar and Godess Vandaarkuzhali.

There is a story that Karaikal Ammaiyar got Mukthi in this place.

Karaikal Ammaiyar's Story:

Punithavathi was name to Karaikal Ammaiya in given by her parents. She was married to Paramadathan a business man in those days.

One day Paramadathan was given two mangoes by one of his visitors on business purpose. He sent it to his home through his men which was received by his wife Punithavathi.

During this time a Shiva devotee came to her house asking for bhiksha. She being a Shiva devotee herself, arranged for lunch for the devotee. To compensate the absence side dishes she also gives one of the mangoes sent by her husband. The devotee was happy with Punithavathi’s hospitality left with filled stomach and blessings.

Paramadathan came home for lunch and Punithavathi served him lunch with the remaining mango. The taste of the fruit made Paramdathan to ask. But she has already given it to Shiva devotee. Not knowing what to do, she requests Lord Shiva for the mango and lo, there it comes in her hands. She servers this mango to her loving husband who immediately identifies that the mangos taste is far superior than the previous one he had and wanted to know where she got this mango. Though she was hesitant at first but later told him all the happenings.

Paramadathan, on hearing that abandons her as his wife as he felt is not eligible to be her husband. Punithavathi then prayed God to have a skeletal body and praise Lord till her life ends thus becoming Karaikal Ammaiyar.

Karaikal Ammaiyar visited Kailash the abode of Lord Shiva seeking moksha but he was asked to wait at Thiruvalangadu.

Karailal Ammaiyar was given moksha at this place and she also got to see the cosmic dance in Chittra Sabai – Gem Court.

How to get to this temple:
Thiruvalangadu is situated around 45 Kms from Chennai and is well nourished with sub urban trains and busses travelling to Thiruvallur and Arakkonam.

This temple is open almost all day as there are increasing pilgrims to this place.

Source