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 Vallakkottai is 51
kms away from the heart of the city and 21 kms from Vandalur railway level crossing. There among idyllic settings, far away from the hustle-bustle of the city the Subramanya Swami Temple graces the place with an imposing 7’ tall presiding deity of Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasenapathi. It can be reached either from Broadway or from Tambaram by bus. There is a good motorable road leading to the temple from the GST Road, close and opposite to the Vandalur Zoological Park.
The temple is 1200 years old and saint Arunagiri Nadhar has sung 8 verses in praise of Vallakkottai Murugan, also known as Kodai Nagar. Arunagiri Nadhar mentions Vallakkottai as ‘kodai nagar’ and ‘kodai padhi’, in his lilting verses known for their perfect metrical quality and lyrical beauty, extolling the praise of Kodai Nagar
Kumaran.
The legend
 It is said that king Bagiradha, who was ruling the territory known as Ilanji, insulted Narada when he visited him. Narada who felt slighted by his attitude met the asura by name Goran, who was on the move on his ‘dhik vijaya’ and told him that his purpose of ‘dhik vijaya’ would be fulfilled if he fought with Bagiradha and vanquished him. Bagiradha soon lost to Goran who engaged him in a battle and lost his territory to him. He realised his mistake and worshipped Narada and requested him to show him the way to regain his lost glory. As advised by Narada, he approached sage Dhurvasa who in turn asked him to observe the specified rituals on Fridays and worship Lord Muruga. He subsequently regained what he lost.
The Vallakkottai - or the Kodai Nagar - temple was built by king Bagiradha in gratitude for His divine grace.
Vallakkottai Murugan is therefore known as ‘izhandha selvangalai meetuth tharum arulmigu kodayaaNdavar’ He who restores all that is lost.
It is also said that the place owes its name to an ogre by name Vallan, who struck terror in the minds of people.
They took refuge in Lord Muruga and he destroyed Vallan. Since this was ruled over by Vallan for a very long time, it continues to be known as Valla -
Kottai - fort of Vallan.
The temple tank
 Known as Vajra
theertham, the temple tank is believed to have been created by the kulisaayudham or vajra-ayudham of
Indra. Indra wanted to worship Lord Subramanya and wanted to know the ideal place for worshipping Him and he approached sage
Bhrgu, who showed him the Vallakkottai temple. Indra accordingly came to Kodai Nagar and with his mightiest of lances,
vajra-ayudham, created the temple tank for performing the abhishekam and hence the name Vajra
theerththam. People believe that a holy dip in the tank with the chanting of the mantra ‘Aum
Saravanabhava’ would end all miseries.
Poet Arunagiri and Vallakkottai
The sage-poet Arunagiri was on pilgrimage and visited Thirup Porur. He was about to leave for Thiruthtani the next day. The Lord appeared in his dream and asked him, ‘How can you forget and leave out Vallakkottai?’ and the Poet accordingly reached Vallakkottai. As already mentioned there are eight verses in praise of the Lord. Seven of them mention ‘Kodai nagar’ alone, and is grouped as verses on ‘Kodai nagar’ in all the editions of ‘Thirupugazh.’ However, since the name Kodai is also mentioned in a verse on Thiruvidakkazhi, (aruNai, thiruththaNi, nagamalai, pazhanip padh.i kodai adhiba, idaik kazhi mEvu perumaaLe’ sings the Poet) it is also considered to be one of the verses sung in praise of Vallakkottai Subramanya.
 There is a shrine for Lord Vinayaka, to the left of the main temple, in the outer prakara. There is a separate shrine of Paramaguru, Lord Muruga with six faces and twelve arms, on the right side, and also a Karumari Amman shrine. There is a large hall in front of the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Subramanya, adorned by oil and watercolour paintings of the Lord and his consorts.
The temple is open from 5.30 a.m. 1.00 p.m. and then reopens for the evening puja at 3.00 p.m. and is open till 8.30 p.m. on regular days. Skandha Sashti, Sura Samharam, Masi Kumara Sashti, Adi Krithgai and Masi Krithigai, Tamil New Year’s day and Thai Poosam are special days. And of course, the English New Year’s day has become another special day nowadays.
The imposing deity is awe-inspiring and the height especially - 7’ - gives an impression of His presence in flesh and blood, even to an ordinary devotee, leave alone the one who is pious and immersed in devotion.
Hari Krishnan
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