Sri Margasahayeshwarar Temple, Maduravoyal, Chennai

 

Moolavar: Sri Margasahayeshwarar

Amman: Sri Maragathavalli

During  Ramayan period it is says that Sri Rama lost his way and he prayed to this Shivan and he showed the way forward for Rama and hence his name Marga-Sahaya Eeshwarar, meaning the one who helped in showing the way.

A very old Temple belonging to the 13th century Telugu Chozha period and inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. 13th Century inscriptions belongs to Telugu Choha Vijayakandagopalan ( 1246 - 49 CE ), who ruled this region for about 25 years  from 1242 CE and a feudatory ruler of Chozhas. The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang, also referred this Telugu Chozhas as "Chulias". The two inscriptions records the gifts to this Temple on different occasions.

 The 1246 CE inscription records the gift of 4 Cows and a lamp for burning to this temple.The 1249 CE inscription records the gift of farm Lands situated in Sembakkam Village, Singalur of Tiruvallur District. The revenue in the form of taxes earned should be spent towards maintenance of this temple.

Inside the maha mandapam you can see all the carvings of all panchasthalam. It is said this place was the entrance to Madurai and in tamil, Madurai vainuzhal, which later became Maduravoyal.

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Sri Shiva with Parvati as a Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena subramaniyam are on the entrance arch. Kodimaram / Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam are on the east side after the entrance arch. A Jala is provided on the east wall of maha mandapam, for Idabam to see moolavar. The entrance to the maha mandapam is from south side. Moolavar is little short. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannidhi for Vannimara Vinayagar, Arasamara Vinayagar and Nagars, Navagrahas and Karunakara Perumal sannidhi. The sanctum pillars has the relief of Bhageeratha and Harichandra etc,.

Contact: The temple kurukal Sri Balasubramaniam can be reached at 9941023158

Location: Sri Margasahayeshwarar Temple, Maduravoyal, Chennai