Sri Mettraleeswarar Temple, Tirumettrali, Kancheepuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Mettraleeswarar

Amman: Sri Parasakthi Ambal

A padal petra sthalam and is 2nd Shiva Temple in Thondainadu region praised in Thevaram out of the 276 padal petra sthalam. Saint Tirunavukkarasar, Saint Gnana Sambandar and Saint Sundarar all 3 have sung praises on Thiru Mettraleeswarar.

Saint Sundarar in his Thevaram hymn says that how he could praise a Lord other than Him gracing from Tirumettrali as he enters the heart sooner thought of as a light, sweet as honey and nectar. Saint Tirunavukkarasar praises Kancheepuram as a city of boundless education – Kalviyil Karai Illadha Kanchi Ma Nagar. Hence, worshipping Lord Shiva here the devotee is gifted with good education.

A good 1500 plus years old temple.Mettraleeswarar is a swayambumurthy facing west. Actullay there  are two presiding deities in two separate sanctum sanctorums. The second moolavar is called Odhavurugeeswar and means Odha-singing, Urugu-melting, Easwarar- Shivan – Odhavurugeeswarar. 

The history goes like this, Lord Vishnu while reclining in the ocean of milk had a desire to have the form of a Shiva Linga and requested Lord Shiva for the same, but  Shiva told his inability to grant his wish. But Maha Vishnu did not give in and began penance on Shiva. Surprised at his determination, Lord Shiva told Vishnu that He could have His wish granted  by performing the penance at this temple  facing His Swayambu form, which is facing west. Lord Vishnu came to this place, began penance facing east looking at the lingam  in a standing form after taking a bath in Vegavati River.

Saint Tirugnana Sambandar was visiting this place Mettraliyur at the same time, he saw Lord Vishnu standing in penance. The saint thought it was Lord Shiva himself by just seeing the back. Saint began singing in praise of the Lord. Vishnu in penance was moved by the divine melody and began to melt. He completely melted and  got the Linga form that he wished for. But, his feet remained in the same place and even today you can have the Dharshan of the Mahavishnu Padham in this temple along with his lingam form at the sanctum sanctorum.

As Vishnu began to melt at the singing of the saint, the name Odhavurugeeswar came up for the 2nd shivalingam here.

Saint Gnana Sambandar who sang in praise of the Lord from the end of the street has his shrine there itself. As the saint is also known as Aludaipillayar and Sambanda Pillayar, the place is also named Pillayar Palayam. The place also has a name Pachimalayam.

Though Tirumettraleeswar is the principal deity, the Rajagopuram and the main entrance belongs to Odha Urugeeswarar.

Muyalagan, symbol of Ignorance under Lord Dakshinamurthy is on the left of the Lord differently against the right side. 100 Rudras, Seekandar, Veerabadra, Krodhar and Mandalathipathis, all totaling 116, had worshipped Lord in this temple.

As Mother Kamakshi is regarded as the only Mother Goddess in Kancheepuram, there are no Ambal Sannidhi in most of the Shiva temples here. But,  this is one temple with an exception with Mother Parasakthi having her own Sannidhi  facing east blessing the devotees with her sweet appearance. As Lord Shiva is facing west –Merku in Tamil- He is named Mettraleeswarar. The word Thali (Mettrali_ also means temple.

Contact: Sathish kurukal can be reached at 6383887910 and daily 2 kala pujai happens here

Location: Sri Mettraleeswarar Temple, Tirumettrali, Kancheepuram

Sri Karpageswarar Temple, Mogappair west, Chennai

 

Moolavar: Sri Karpageswarar

Amman: Sri Karpagasoundari ambal

2000 yrs old shiva lingam. The avudaiyar is in square shape. The shiva lingam along with nandiyam perumal found in the ground while digging for some construction work

The local people constructed east facing temple along with the village kaval deivam Sri Pidari Amman. Instead of simham another Nandhi installed in front of Amman. Neem and peepal trees appear together as sthala viruksham. All prahara murthies along with Navagrahas have been installed in the appropriate places. And temple has been very well maintained. Coming under HR&CE department.

Location: Sri Karpageswarar Temple, Mogappair west, Chennai

Sri Arambeswarar Temple, Ilambayankottur, Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Arambeswarar

Amman: Sri Kanakakuchambal

A padal petra sthalam and is the 13th sthalam in the thondai mandalam, and one of the 276 padal petra sthalams.  

Saivaite saint Thirugnana Sambandar has sung 10 songs in glory of Arameswarar. After visiting the Koovam temple Sambandar was just going off, when lord shiva appeared in a form of a child, an old man and later in a form of a cow and led him to this temple. Also he insisted him to sing hymns at this temple.

The swamy is a Swayambhu murthy and is seated on a fairly large size Avudayar. It is said that while he started on the chariot to vanquish Thripuram, the chariot slightly tilted and the Kondrai flower from his head fell on the ground and formed a Swayambhu sivalingam. He is known as “Theenda Thirumeni" meaning that shivalinga banam should not be touched by anyone, even during pooja or abhishekam. There are 5 such Theenda Thirumeni and the places they are is given below-

1. Thirupachur

2. Koovam

3. Thakkolam

4. Ilambayankotur

5. Kalahasthi

It is said that Aramba from the devalokam along with Urvashi and Thilothama worshipped this swamy for 48 days to get back their beauty which was lost due to a curse. As Aramba worshipped him he is called Arambeswarar and the place was called Arambapuri, Arambayamkotur. As thondai mandalam has many places named Kottur, they added a prefix called Ilumbai meaning water body surrounded with lush greenery. And hence the name Ilumbayamkotur.

As the lord assisted the devas in destroying Tripuram, he is also knows as Deivanagaeswarar. Also, lord Chandiran (moon) has prayed here to get relived from the curse of Dhakshan and lord Siva not only blessed him but adored moon on his head in this place only. Hence he is also called Chandrasekaran.

This place is also known as Guru parihara sthalam and those affected by the guru cone here to do special pariharam. The Dhakshinamurthy or Guru bhagawan is very unique and can be seen holiding the chin mudhirai towards his chest. 

Very serene and beautiful temple and a must visit.

Location: Sri Arambeswarar Temple, Ilambayankottur, Kanchipuram 

Sri Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple, Nallambakkam

 

Moolavar: Sri Thiyagaraja swamy

Amman: Sri Kamalambikai Amman

Very old temple, history unknown,located inside the hill area. Sithar installed this long back near a well. Village people built this temple very recently with all prahara murthies. Moolavar facing west and ambal facing south. 

Daily orukala abhisegam done by sivanadiyar. He can be reached in his mobile 9444813068

Location: Sri Thiyagaraja swamy temple, Nallambakkam

Sri Theertheswarar Temple, Theerthapuri, Thiruvallur

 

Moolavar: Sri Theertheswarar

Amman: Sri Thiripura Sundari Ambal

A very old and beautiful temple located right behind the famous Veera Raghava Perumal Temple in Thiruvallur District. The temple belongs to the Pallava period and is completely built in granite stones. The Temple is located facing the huge temple tank of Veera Raghava Perumal temple.

The highlight of the temple is that both the swamy Sannidhi of Theertheeswarar and the shrine of Ambal  Tripura Sundari are facing the east direction and between the two is the Sannidhi for Murugan representing the somaskandar form.

The name of swamy was known as Maal-Vinay-Thereetha swamy which simply means the one who removed the distress for Thirumaal or Maha Vishnu which in later times became Theertheshwarar.

The temple has just one prakara. As usual, the dhwajasthmbam,, bali peedam and Nandi are located facing the sanctum sanctorum. 

The temple is very peaceful and serene and a must visit in Thiruvallur District

Contact: The temple has two kala pujai and Ravi kurukal can be reached on 9500843667 

Location: Sri Theertheswarar Temple, Theerthapuri, Thiruvallur