The Challenge between Kali and Shiva

There are 5 temples known as Pancha Sabhas, where Lord Shiva did the cosmic dance. Thiruvalangadu Vadaaranyeswarar temple is one of them which is called Rathna Sabhai. This temple is situated in Thiruvalangadu which is a small town in between Arakkonam and Thiruvallur districts. Vadaaranyeswarar Temple is one among the Padal Petra Sthalams in Thondai Mandalam (Northern Tamilnadu) which is mentioned as Thiruppazhayanur in Tevaram.

Through the evidences of inscriptions, Sri Vadaaranyeswarar Temple dates back to 5^th century. Later in 12^th century this temple is enovated and extended by the Cholas. Main deity of this temple Lord Shiva is called Vadaaranyeswarar (God of northern forest) or Alavananathar (God who lives in banyan forest). Parvathi Devi in this temple is called Vandarkuzhali or Alavana Nayaki. Banyan tree is the shala vriksha of this temple.

Legend says that, two demons Sumba and Nisumba chose this banyan jungle for their stay and began harassing the Devas. Devas appealed to Mother Parvathi for protection. Mother Parvathi appeared as furious Kali and destroyed the demons. Kali consumed the blood of the demons and their army and grew more furious. At the request of Sage Munjikesa Karkodaka, Lord Shiva reached the place. Kali challenged the Lord for a dance and said that she would give her right in the place to the Lord if he won. The dance began. Lord dropped his ear ring on the ground, picked it by the toe of his left leg and fixed it back on his ear in the dance. Kali accepted her defeat and said that she could not do such a marvellous dance. Lord Shiva said that he alone was equal to her and said further that those coming to worship him in this temple should worship her first to reap the full benefit of the worship. Since then, Kali has her own temple to grace the devotees.

It is in this temple that Lord Shiva addressed the Great Saint devotee Karaikkal Ammaiyar as "Ammaye". Ammaiyar reached this temple by head as she thought walking by feet to Lord’s shrine was a sin. Ammaiyar even enjoyed the dance performance of the Lord standing upside down. She reached the state of bliss here.

This is a very important temple for classical dancers as they worship here to master the art. Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (in the month of December-January) is the most important festival of this temple.