Sri Ponnambaleswarar Temple, Sembakkam, Chengalpattu

 

This temple is the jeeva samadhi of Sri Ponambala Swamigal, his disciples Chinna ponabalswamigal and Pazhani Swamigal. The moolavar is on the Jeeva samadhi of Sri Ponnambal Swamigal, Nandhi is installed on Chinna Ponambala Swamigal and in the outer praharam you can see Sri Phazhani Swamigal samadhi. The outer praharam has a small Sannidhi for Sri Annapoorani and Sri Dhandayudhapani.

Sri Ponnambala Swamigal and Sri Thirumeni linga Swamigal lived in Sembakkam and were called twin Siddhars since they were always seen together. They, along with another Siddhar Sri Periya Chidhambara Swamigal (from Velacheri) used to meet at the Mylapore Chithra Kulam by the mystic act of going from one place to the other without physically going there.

The tank was called ‘Siddhar Koodum (meeting) Kulam (pond)’ once and became Chithrakulam later. When Ponnambala Swamigal attained Samadhi, the very next day Thirumeni Linga Swamigal also attained Samadhi. The Samadhi of both of them is present in front of the temple near the Ahazhi Theertham.

Note on Acknowledgement : The legend information here is based on the Sthalapuranam book of the temple which in turn is based on the age old hand written notes of Sri Ponnambala Swamigal.

A peaceful dhyana mandapam with both the Swamigal photos can be seen. Very peaceful with lots of trees around. Next to the main entrance you can see on either side Pillayar and Murugan Sannidhi.

The temple is at the end of an unpolluted calm village in an ideal location for the peace loving spiritual seekers. The temple is a beautiful one with lot of flower plants and trees within and outside the temple. One nice thing in this temple is the colour of the painting. Unlike other temples, the temple is painted in a single colour that is eye-pleasing and gives a soothing effect. Possibly, this could have been done due to insufficient funding but nevertheless it is beautiful and very pleasing.

Contact: Reach Mr.Kuzhandhaivel on his mobile number 9710124577

Location:
Sri Ponnambaleswarar Temple, Sembakkam, Chengalpattu