After 4 long years I am writing this blog with the sole aim of guiding shivanadiyars to this
place. I was really appalled when I read various books that guide us to this temple. So want to make
the directions as simple and lucid as possible so that adiyaars who utilize public transport will be
benefitted.
Thirukkallil or Thirukandalam (as called now) is a small village located some 40 - 45 kms from the
Chennai city. Its really a very small village with very very limited access to the towns nearby (public
transport). I will now explain various possible routes from Chennai city to this abandoned place.
Routes are ordered according to their degree of complexity (first being simple ).
1. Broadway / Poonamallee / Tambaram / Vallalar nagar to Red hills (respectively 17 km , 23 km,
41 km, 15 km). Red hills is well connected to all these places.
Red hills to Kannigaiper (Kanniputhur) - 16 km. Its better to take a route bus which goes to
Periyapalayam , Uthukottai , Puttur or Thirupathi as they bypass Karanodai and saves time than
a local bus .
Kannigaiper to Thirukkallil - 4 km. Its vary difficult to get a bus. Autos are plenty.
There is a direct bus plying between Vallalar nagar and Vengal which goes through Thirukaallil
(time to be enquired)
2. CMBT to Kannigaiper (buses going to Periyapalayam and Thirupathi) - 33 km. Red hills is
eventually crossed in this route too.
3. Madras high court to Karanodai (route no 57 F). We need to come to bypass to catch a bus to
Kannigaiper.
4. Redhills to Alamathi - 11 km. Alamathi to Thirukkandalam - 6 km. Though shorter than the
previous routes, one need to cross a dry kotrralai river and the bridge is not in a good condition.
Also, Thirukkallil is not well connected to Alamathi as it is to Kannigaiper.
5. Thiruvellore to Kannigaiper - roughly 35 km. There are two routes ; one going through
Thirukkallil and the other one bypassing Thirukkallil. I do not have any idea about the buse routes
and their frequency.
Of all the routes mentioned above going to red hills or taking a direct bus from CMBT to
Kannigaipair looks to be more feasible.
Thirukkandalam is totally placed away from the other nearby towns and no facilities should be
expected ( I was not even able to locate a tea shop). Its better to equip with all the basic amenities
before commencing the journey.
Temple complex is small but with one circumambulatory path , very relaxing and refreshing indeed.
Temple tank is flooded with water and the temple is open throughout the day from from 6 AM to
PM ( as said by the temple people).
Moorthy : Sri Shivandeshwarar
Ambaal : Sri Anandavalli
Vimanam (Gajabrushtam ) and beautifully sculpted ambaal denotes its a Pallava built temple. this temple is mentioned I mudhal thirumurai ( Sambandar).
Temple pooja is taken care by 104 year old priest.
I hope this blog will be useful.
Thennadudaiya Shivane potri
Ennattavarkkum iraiva potri
