Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Sri Aamullai Eswarar Temple, Manali, Chennai

 









Moolavar: Sri Aamullai Eswarar

Amman: Sri Alliyangodhai Ambal

This temple moolavar Sri Aamullai Eshwarar was in a village called Aamullaivoyal and due to the construction of some factories 3 villages were evacuated and along with them moolavar moved here and a new temple was constructed.

Moolavar and Nandhi is said to be very old and almost 2000 years old is what they said. Swamy is facing east and Ambal is facing south, you also have a Selliamman and Gangai Amman temple and currently a perumal temple is getting constructed next to the right of the Sivan Sannidhi.

Contact: The temple is run by the local villagers and Sivanadiyar Rajendran can be reached on 9566056212

Location: Sri Aamullai Eswarar Temple, Manali, Chennai

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Sri Parasurameshwarar Temple, Gudimallam, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh

 



















Moolavar: Sri Parasurameshwarar

Amman: Sri Anandavalli Ambal

A 2nd century BC the Gudimallam Temple is considered to be the oldest Shiva temple identified so far. The Lord here is known as Parasurameswara and this lingam is believed to depict the trinity. The legend of the temple connects it to Parasurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The enigmatic nature of this shivalingam form is not seen anywhere within hundreds of miles, and indeed, throughout South India. If dated to an early period, the figure on the linga would represent one of the earliest and most unequivocal depictions of the god Shiva to have survived.

An image of Shiva in sthanaka posture is carved in high relief. On the front portion of the linga the god is standing on the shoulders of a figure of Apasmara, a dwarf who represents spiritual ignorance. The figure of Shiva resembles a vigorous hunter; He holds a ram or antelope in his right hand and a small water pot in his left hand. There is a battle axe (parasu) resting on his left shoulder. He wears many heavy earrings, an elaborate flat necklace, and a girdle with a dangling central portion. His arms are adorned with five bracelets, with different designs in relief, on each wrist, and a high arm ring on each side. He wears a dhoti of very thin material, fastened at his waist with a vastra-mekhala. This extends round the whole shaft of the linga. He has no yagnopavita or sacred thread. Emerging from a complicated turban-like head-covering, his hair is long and plaited (not matted).

Legend has it that Parashuram’s mother Renuka was suspected of infidelity by her husband Sage Jamadagni. The Sage ordered Parashurama to behead his mother. Parashurama obeyed his father and when Sage Jamadagni wanted to reward his son, Parashurama asked him to bring his mother back to life. And she was brought back to life.

But Parashuram could not overcome guilt of beheading his mother and he felt remorse about his act. As a penance he was advised by other Rishis to worship Shiva at Gudimallam.

After searching for several days, Parashurama found the temple in the middle of a forest. He dug a pond nearby and began his penance.

Every day morning a single flower used appear in the pond and Parashuram offered it to Shiva. To guard the single flower, he appointed Chitrasena, a Yaksha. Chitrasena was actually a manifestation of Lord Brahma.

Chitrasena had kept a condition that to guard the flower he should be given an animal to eat and a pot of toddy. Parashuram agreed to it and he used to hunt an animal for Chitrasena daily.

One day when Parshuram went out to hunt, Chitrasena felt tempted to worship Shiva himself. He used the single flower to worship Shiva. An enraged Parashurama attacked Chitrasena when he found the flower missing.

Finding the transgression grievous, the Parshuram entered into a fierce fight with the demon. When the vanquished demon was about to be crushed, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed both with their desire of Sayujyamukti – merging in Him. Brahma as Chitrasena, Vishnu as Parasurama and Shiva as the lingam form the Gudimallam Shivalingam.

Location: Sri Parasurameshwarar Temple, Gudimallam, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh

Sri Jyothilingeswarar Temple, Panakattupakkam, Chengalpattu

 








Moolavar: Sri Jyothilingeswarar

Amman: Sri Karpagambal

A small temple that is on the main road towards Kayar. It’s been built by an individual named Bhakthavatsalam in his own property. The temple is facing east and in ghoshtam you have all the ghosta vigrahams.

It’s very well maintained and the moolavar is on a square Avudayar. Daily morning and evening puja is performed.

Contact: The Sivanadiyar Bhakthavatsalam can be reached on 97910 51954 and contributions for any puja can be sent on 91766 89995

Location: Sri Jyothilingeswarar Temple, Panakattupakkam, Chengalpattu

Sri Sadaiyeeswarar Temple, Vallam, Kanchipuram

 

























Moolavar: Sri Sadaiyeeswarar
Amman: Sri Sayanambikai

Very beautiful 2000 years old Sivan temple facing east. Temple tower is full of suthai sculptures. The uniqueness of this temple is moolavar Sadaiyeeswarar and Nandhi faces the opposite direction of the sanctum unlike other shiva temples. 

It is believed that Sivan is doing Tapas and Nandi is escorting. Lingam banam is huge in size and appears majestic square avudayar. Another special feature is behind the lingabanam Sivam and Parvathi standing with somaskandar along with Bramha and Vishnu. Suriyan and chandran placed in their left and right.

Idampuri vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, lingothbhawar, sandikeswarar, Vishnu durgai are placed in prakaram appropriately.

Pooja is happening 4 times a day and celebrating all other auspicious days. Perumal with Thayar also placed inside praharam. There is a famous Vallakottai Murugan temple who receives Vel from this temple during Surasamharam day.
Gurukkal staying near the temple and fortunately this is not under HR&C control hence it has been maintained very well by localites