Sri Singeeswarar Temple, Mappedu

Moolavar: Sri Singeeswarar
Amman: Sri Pushpakujambal
Place: Mappedu, Thiruvallur

Mappedu is a small village located near Chennai city. In earlier days it was called "Meip pedu" and later days changed to Meppedu. The nearest landmark to this village is Kadambattur.

Aditya Karikalan II Chola was a great warrior who won Veera Pandian; he was the elder brother of the great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola. His murder still remains as a historical mystery. He built this temple in 967 CE. In 1501 CE, Ariyanatha Mudaliyar, who served as the Dalavai in Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya's kingdom, constructed the compound wall and the tower of this temple. To honor him, his idol in the posture similar to that of Lord Ranganatha (reclined on a serpent) is found in the temple tower.

Lord Shiva danced in Tirvalankadu site; Singi, one of eight Nandis, played mrudankam; he was so devoted that he closed his eyes and missed the divine dance. He requested the Lord to dance again so that he could watch the same. Shiva fulfilled his wish in Mappedu site. As Singi got darshan of Lord Shiva's dance in this place, Shiva is called as Singeeswarar.

Hanuman played amrutavarshini raaga using his veena in this site which turned the dry land into fertile land. Representing this event there is an idol of Sri Anjaneya playing the Veena. Those aspiring skill in music pray to him in particular. 

Hanuman belongs to Moola star. It is noteworthy that the birth star of Kalaivani-Saraswathi, the Goddess of Wisdom is also Moola. It is said that Mother Saraswathi wrote the Singanatha seed letters (Beejakshara – Beeja means seed, Akshara- letters) on the tongue of Sri Anjaneya with the stem of a lotus flower. This gave the Him clarity in his speech and an ability to protect people in distress using tactics needed for the time. He was celebrated as Sollin Selvan in Tamil and Nava Vyakarna Pandit in Sanskrit. Moola people are advised to pray in this temple for gaining excellence in education and speech.

People belonging to Moola star know no idleness and are found very active and fond of arts. They are fair in look. They are particular in food choices and like fruits. They are healthy just like Hanuman.
It is believed that worshipping the Lord by standing on a stone called Nava Vyakarna stone (Nava Vyakarna in Sanskrit means grammar of the language) cures bone and joint related diseases.
There is only one prakara in this temple - wide and big. The sub shrines of Asthana Vinayaka (Laureate Vinayaka), Surya, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, Varadaraja-SreeDevi-Bhoo Devi and Bhairava are located in the prakara.

Singeeswarar is found in the form of a slightly big Shiva Linga in the sanctum sanctorum. The Goddess Pushpakujambal is found in a separate east facing shrine in the prakara. The mandapa of this shrine has good sculptures.

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. 

Location:
Sri Singeeswarar Temple, Mappedu