Sri Thatheeswarar Temple, Chithukadu

 

 

Moolavar -  Sri Thatheeswarar 
Amman - Sri Prasunakunthalambigai
Place - Chithukadu, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Temple is located at Chithukadu, near Chennai. Sitharkadu or chithukadu is located around 8 km from Poonamallee.The Vidhana of the Rajagopuram is exquisite with a beautiful panel of Various Roopas of Lord Shiva. The Nandi in front of the temple does not have a noose around its nostrils. Chithukadu had been( and continues to be ) a land of Siddhars.Out of the several Siddhars who dwell here, the two notable saints ( or atleast I must say those who have been identified) are "Padukkai Jadamudi Siddhar" and " Prana Deepika Siddhar". Since the Nandi was in the company of these saints, it was serene and calm and hence there was no need for a noose, says Kumaran. An image of Prana Deepika Siddhar can be found on the pillar next to the Nandi here.

The Padukkai Jadamudi Siddhar and Prana Deepika Siddhar while meditating in this region installed a Shiva lingam under an Amla Tree because of which he came to be known as Dhathriswara. They created a beautiful garden here which gave sweet smelling flowers for the worship of the Lord because of which this place came to be known as "Thirumanam" - Holy Fragrance. The Nandavanam probably created by them, is like this today.

Prana Deepika Siddhar is said to protect people from life threatening ailments and several people with chronic ailments are said to have prayed to him and become better. The Padukkai Jadamudi Sithar can be seen with very long hair on which he is said to lie down in Yoga Nitra and move around saving people and protecting lives then and now.

It was interesting to note that the pillars had the Dasavatharams of Vishnu inscribed on them, which again goes to prove the Shaivaite - Vaishnavaite harmony in those days. There were also some pillars where the Rishabaruda was found at the bottom of the pillars and Siddhars above it.

The book Sivamayam Kanda Siddhargal which mentions that this place was also an abode of Bodo Siddhar whose Jeevasamadhi can be found here and he is supposedly the father of "Modern Computer Science"!! By worshipping him, one could be rid of any discomfort experienced due to Ashtama Sani, Ezharai Sani or Jenma Sani. We tried to identify this siddhar but could not do so. Anyone who has any further information about this siddhar, may share it here for benefit of all of us.

Sundararaja Perumal temple which is behind the Dhathriswara Temple, connected by the temple tank. There is an Anjaneya Swamy temple near the steps of the tank. 

Both the temples are believed to have been constructed during the times of King Sundara Pandiyan about 800 years ago. The King is said to have found the Goddess Prasunna Kundalambikai's statue in the Nandavanam (Garden) and so he installed it in the Dhatriswara Temple calling her "Poonkuzhali". As the King died in war before the temple construction could be completed, the work is believed to have been completed by a landlord Mr. Nalla Chinnathambi Mudaliyar from this village whose generations till date serve as Dharmakarthas of this temple (Source: Thalavaralaru of the temple)

Reference: http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/New_en.php?id=1387