Sri Thiruvetteeswarar Temple, Triplicane

 

Moolavar - Sri Thiruvetteeswarar
Amman - Sri Shengbagambikai
Place - Triplicane, Chennai, Tamilnadu

The temple assumes importance as a sacred place for remedy from the adverse aspects of planets Rahu and Ketu. The temple has three flag posts-Kodi Maram for Lord Shiva, Lord Shanmuga and Mother Ambica. It is said that Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva here to have the Hand of Lord Vishnu. Supporting this story, Mother Mahalakshmi is seen performing abishek to Lord Shiva depicted in a pillar sculpture. Mothers Mahalakshmi and Maha Saraswathi are seen side by side in a shrine. Lord Vinayaka has a separate shrine where devotees light lamps with coconut oil and coconut garlands. Lord Shanmugha graces from a separate shrine on the peacock vehicle. On every Sashti day – 6th day of either new moon or full moon days – pujas are conducted in the shrine with six flowers, six nivedhanas, six fruits by six priests performing the ‘Shatru Samhara Trisadha’ puja, a special event in the temple

References:
1. http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=38
2. http://www.tiruvallikenitiruvetteeswarartemple.tnhrce.in/

Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Besant Nagar

Moolavar - Sri Rathnagiriswarar
Amman - Sri Aralakesi Amman
Place - Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Way back in 1968, when the residents of Besant Nagar, mostly Government employees, at that time wanted a place of worship. Accordingly when His Holiness Sri Abhinava Vidyathirtha Maha Sannidhanam visited Chennai, Besant Nagar residents invited him and sought his blessings for building a prayer structure. His Holiness with His benevolence blessed them and sprinkled holy water, flowers and akshthai at the place where Sri Rathnagiriswarar temple stands now.

The residents later decided to form a regulated forum for this purpose and thus created a body and named it as BHAKTHA MANDALI. This was registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. Bhaktha Mandali (Regd) then purchased a piece of land admeasuring around 4 grounds for building a pucca place of worship .

Bhaktha Mandali members then approached the most venerable sage of Kanchi Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Maha Swamigal and sought his benign grace for building a temple in Besant Nagar. His Holiness prophesied that they could search the seashore in Thiruvanmiyur where they would locate a Maha Lingam, which could be installed as the presiding deity of the proposed temple. The elated residents taking the words of His Holiness Sri Maha Swamigal with absolute faith, searched the seashore of Thiruvanmiyur coast and finally located the Mahalingam Vigram there. With the help of the local residents and with the help of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Swamigal’s poorvasrama father Sri Mahadeva Iyer who was staying in Thiruvanmiyur at that time, brought that Mahalingam to Besant Nagar and placed it on a sandy pedestal, at the place where the Gharbharaham of Sri Rathnagiriswarear stands today – on sacred Maha Sivarathri day, 7th March, 1970.

All important functions like Maha Sivarathri, Sarada Navarathri, Sri Rama Navami Mahotsavam, Aashada Mahotsavam, Arudra Darsanam, Annabhishekam, etc. are celebrated in a most sacred manner, strictly following the vedic injunctions and vaideeha pooja vidhanam.


References:
1.http://rathnagiriswarar.org/
2.http://greenmesg.org/temples_chennai/b/besant_nagar_rathnagiriswarar_temple.php

Sri Dharmalingeswarar Temple, Nanganallur

 

 

 

Moolavar - Sri Dharmalingeswarar
Amman - Sri Sarvamangalabikai
Place - Nanganallur, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Sri Dharmalingeswarar Temple is adorning the southern tip of the temples-map of Nanganallur, a flourishing calm cultural southern suburb of Chennai. The temple is at a distance of about 2 kilometers from the market area, and is very easily accessible.

This temple was known in ancient times as Dhanmisar Semponkoil, as inferred from a stone inscription found in the temple. The inscription dates this temple's existence to the sixth year of rule of the Great King Raja Raja Chola (991 A.D.).
The granite sanctum sanctorum of this temple along with the moolavar came up from an earthern mound covered with shrubs, only during late 1960s. Since then, the name and fame of the deities of this temple have grown from strength to strength and travelled to far-off regions.

The temple is undergoing steady expansion, strictly according to aagama saastras right from the day the Lord Dhanmisar revealed Himself in this place - thanks to the devotees who have been regularly contributing small amounts for the improvement and upkeep of the temple, in the absence of any major property or resources or endowments or big-donations. Perhaps, the Lord here is in constant communion more with the ordinary devotees and blessing them, rather than a chosen few! Recently, a new 3-tier East Rajagopuram was constructed, and kumbhabhishekham (the third during this century), was performed on 10th September, 2000. Another new 5-tier Rajagopuram was constructed at the Southern Entrance, and kumbhabhishekham (the first during 21st century), was performed on 4th September, 2009. A new Yagasalai Mantapam has been constructed on the Northern Prakaram. A new Chariot has also been made to facilitate the Tiru-Veedhi-Ula of Utsava Moorthies on prescribed days.

References:
1.http://www.sridharmalingeswararkoil.in/

Sri Chandramouleeswarar Temple, Medavakkam

 

 

Moolavar - Sri Chandramouleeswarar
Amman - Sri Kamatchi Amman
Place - Medavakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu   

A beautiful small temple tugged in the midst of the residential area of Medavakkam. The temple apparently had Sri Kamatchi Amman for over 50 years and recently Sri Chandramouleshwarar has been brought in from other location.

It has all the goshta vigrahams and also it’s got separate Sannidhi for navagraham. Very simple n beautiful temple.

Address:Chandra Mouleeswarar Temple,Second Main Rd,Munusamy Nagar, Vimala Nagar, Medavakkam,Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600100     

Sri Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Vengaivasal

 

Moolavar - Sri Swarnapureeswarar
Amman - Sri Mangalambigai
Place - Vengaivasal, Chennai, Tamilnadu

A beautiful temple located in the middle of the residential area of Vengaivasal at Bhajanai Kovil Street.

It seems that few decades ago while excavating the land for building a house a localite found the Sivalingam and decided to build a temple. Later they have found the Nandhi while clearing the tank and you can still see the old Nandhi. Though they have newer Nandhi installed.

The initial thought was to name this Vengaeshwarar but later decided to call it Swarnapureeswarar.

There is a 5 headed snake being carved on the sivalingam which can be seen while doing abhishekam.It is said that this sivalingam is of the same period as the Dhenupriswarar and the rest of the goshta murthies are fairly new.

The interesting fact is that when pure cow’s milk is used for the abhishekam on the sivalingam it turns blue in colour and we were lucky to witness the same today.

You can connect with the Gurukkal at 7358337055. His name is Sriram.

Address: Sornapureeswarar Temple, Noothencheri, Vengaivasal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600126

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Nemilichery

Moolavar - Sri Agathiswarar
Amman - Sri Aanadavalli ambal
Place - Nemilichery, Chrompet, Chennai, Tamilnadu

A good 1000 year old temple in midst of the developing residential area of Chrompet.

The moolavar has been worshiped by sage Agasthiar and hence the name Agasthiswarar. The interiors of the temple is very old and you can see the fish symbol on the roof which is significance the ancinentness of this place.
A separate Sannidhi for sage Agasthiar here. A rare sight of bairavar along with suryan and Chandiran can be seen in this temple.

It is belived that those who have sugar complaints get rid of their problems by visiting and praying to lord Agasthiswarar.

References:
1. https://www.columbuslost.com/temples/Sri-Agasteeswar-Temple-Nemilicherry-Chrompet-Chennai/info

Sri Thirunavaleeshwarar Temple, Navalur

 

Moolavar - Sri Thirunavaleeshwarar
Amman - Sri Akhilandeswari
Place - Navalur, Chennai, Tamilnadu


The Siva lingam and Nandhikeshwarar vigraham is around 1000 plus years and structure around is fairly new. As per the priest around 10 to 15 years old. The theppa Kulam or the pond seems to have around 11 wells. The Sanskrit name for the lord is Sri Jambukeshwarar.

As per the advise of MahaPeriyava, the temple was built by few local people. The place is called Navalur because of this temple. Subsequently Akilandeswari Amman sannidhi, Vinayagar & Murugar Shrines were added. Recently Ayyapan Shrine in typical Kerala style was built. There is also a huge pond in front of Shivan sannidhi. Prodhosham is celebrated in a big way here.

There is a separate Sannidhi for Sri Lakshmi Narayanan

Address : Thirunavaleeswarar Kovil,Old Mahabalipuram Rd, Navallur, Tamil Nadu 603103

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Villivakkam

 

 

  

  

 

Moolavar - Sri Agastheeswarar
Amman - Sri Swarnambikai
Place - Villivakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu

The Agastheeswarar Temple (1000 + years old temple) is dedicated to Sri Shiva as Agastheeswarar Swamy and Divine Mother Shakti as Swarnambikai.

The entrance is south facing and when you enter the inner praharam the goddess is in front facing south. She is in standing posture.Dwajasthambam, Palipedam and nandhi are at the east entrance in the outer prakaram.

Vinayagar and Subramaniyar are at the entrance of sanctum. Dwarabalakars are little big in size.
The entrance of the Goddess shrine has the idols of Lakshmi and Saraswati. The main shrine also houses the Navagraha idols. Guru (Jupiter) is facing the Goddess.

As Guru and the Goddess are facing each other, it is believed that those unmarried ladies who worship the Goddess here get the grace of Guru and get married soon.

Lord Veerabadra graces from a separate temple at the southern entrance of Lord Agastheeswara temple. He appears with two sharp teeth with a Danda in His left hand. Daksha is before Him in a bowing form. Mother Badrakali shrine is in the front mandap. As Lord Veerabadra is another form of Lord Shiva, Pradosha pujas and one time puja on the Shivarathri day are dedicated to Him.

The main sannidhi of Siva is east facing and is a majestic sivalingam.

There is a standing Nandi (Adhikara Nandi) with human form and Bull face facing the lingam in a small niche near the door.

References:
1.http://www.villivakkamagastheeswarartemple.tnhrce.in/
2.http://dilipkumar.in/articles/chennai-temples/1000-years-heriatge-agastheeswarar-temple-villivakkam-chennai.html

Sri Chenganmaaleeswarar Temple, Kelambakkam

Moolavar - Sri Chenganmaaleeswarar
Amman - Sri Brihannaayagi
Place - Kelambakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu

In Thamizh, Chenganmaal denotes the name of Lord Vishnu. It is said that Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the deity got the name, Chenganmaaleeswarar and the village, Chenganmaal. It is also said that, as this temple was built by an ancient Chozha king called Ko Chengannan (who built Thiruvaanikkaaval temple,  this place got its name after the king Chengannan.

Temple legend has it that Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here offering 1008 lotus flowers. He was praying to Lord Shiva with utmost devotion.  Lord Shiva made a trick and made one flower vanish from 1008 lotuses. When Lord Vishnu was about to offer the last flower, he was shocked to see that there was no more flower. Lord Vishnu immediately offered himself as the last flower to complete the pooja. This temple is believed to have been built during 12th century. This temple does not have a Rajagopuram. The Lord here is facing east. Goddess Sri Brihannaayagi is beautiful and is facing south.

This small temple has a beautiful Prakaram on which Lord Ganesha is on the south west corner.  Lord Ganesha is seen here as Sri Selva Vinayaga. There is an Utsava mandap  made of stone pillars,  adjacent to Sri Selva Vinayaga shrine. Other deities are Sri Subramanya, Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Brahma and Sri Durga.  Surya Bhagavan has a small shrine facing west adjacent to the main entrance. There is a tall concrete mandap adjacent to Surya Bhagavan shrine for the temple's bell. An old, tall Dwajasthambha adds attraction to the Prakaram (outer corridor).

There is a big pond outside the temple, on its northern side, which serves as ‘theertham’(holy water) for this temple and is called as ‘Vishnu Theertham’. The sthala vruksham here is Vilvam. A small, yet beautiful and calm temple to cherish is not too far from the city

References:
1.http://www.templeadvisor.com/temples-in-india/hindu-temples/sri-chenganmaaleeswarar-temple
2.http://www.dharsanam.com/2008/03/chenganmaal-sri-chenganmaaleeswarar.html