Sri Agastheeshwarar Temple, Palanjur, Chembarambakkam, Chennai

 

Moolavar: Sri Agastheeshwarar

Amman: Sri Anandhavalli Ambal

This Temple is one among the thousand eight Chola-built Shiva temples. The moolavar got his name from sage Agathiyar, who worshipped this "Shivalingam" many years ago, hence giving it its name. There is a belief that this idol was installed by Sage Pathanjali, hence the place got its name as "Pathanjaliyur," further modernized as "Pathanjur,"and eventually as "Palanjur."

The temple is fully surrounded by the Chembarambakkam lake so much that Nandi mandapam, Bali Peedam, kodi Maram and Navagraham are all submerged in water. The moolavar is on square Avudayar and is very beautiful.

The temple is a parihara sthalam and Rahu Ketu are standing as the Dhwarapakas. There are 5 Nandhi at the Nandhi Mandapam and you see him with his consort. During specific months the sun falls directly on one half of the shivalingam and another month it falls on the other side.

It’s indeed a beautiful temple and must visit for all people living in and around Chennai.

Contact: The temple opens by 5 am to 9 am in the morning and evening again from 5 to 9. The temple Sivanadiyar Sri Kumaresan can be reached on 9940296009

Location: Sri Agastheeshwarar Temple, Palanjur, Chembarambakkam, Chennai

Sri Vaithyanadheeswarar Temple, Pazhaiya Seevaram, Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Vaithyanadheeswarar

Amman: Sri Thaiyal Nayagi

A beautiful shiva temple on top of hillock which can be reached through 100 odd steps. This temple is towards the North side of a very well known Sri Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple.  The name, Palaya Seevaram actually is the changed name of Pazhaya Sivapuram. 

The temple is close to a Mandapam where Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal’s Utsava murti used to stay during his visit to Palayaseevaram.

It is believed that the Shiva lingam is more than 1000 years old. The old temple was built by the chola kings and that temple was completely dilapidated. The current temple faces east only with a Shiva Lingam under shed and you have a very beautiful Nandhi in the open along with a balipeedam is in front of the temple.

There are 2 approaches to the top of the hill one by road from the south side and from the north side steps lead up to the hill. The road side approach has a beautiful Maha Ganapathy murthy and there are plans of building a Natarajar Meditation hall there. 

Contact: The temple opens by 7 am daily and one Kala pujai is performed by a Sivanadiyar Sri Sivarajendran can be reached on 9791747230 and also 97900 25699

Location: Sri Vaithyanadheeswarar Temple, Pazhaiya Seevaram, Kanchipuram

Sri Kumareshwarar Temple, Gudi Perambakkam, Chengalpattu

 

Moolavar: Sri Kumareshwarar

Amman: Sri Thiripura Sundari

A very old shiva temple believed to be worshipped by lord Murugan himself and hence the moolavar is called as Sri Kumareshwarar. The original temple was built with stone up to prastaram level and the super structure Vimanam was of Vesara style. The old pic also shows that the temple was built with mandapam.  The Ardha mandapam / maha mandapam pillars are very beautiful and the antiquity is well maintained.

The temple is facing east with Balipeedam and Rishabam. Dwarapalakas, bas-reliefs of Vinayagar and Murugan as Mayil vahanan are on the both side of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal Thiripura Sundari, is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. In Praharam, Naga Lingam, Dasa bhuja (10 Hands) Bairavar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Vinayagar.

There is another Shiva Vishnu temple within the same praharam, apparently a very old  huge Shiva Lingam whose antiquity is not known was abandoned near this place and now a  new temple was constructed  in recent years and named as  Sri Rudrambigai Samedha Sri Rudreswar Temple. The whole temple was built with bricks in recent years. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. 

The main Shiva temple is facing east with a temple tank. The balipeedam and Nandhi are in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai can be seen.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal Rudrambigai is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. In praharam, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Chandran, Suryan and Nalvar.

Both Sri Rudreswarar and Kumareshar temples are in the same complex and this temple is older than Sri Rudreswarar Temple. Very pleasant and peaceful temple with amazing vibrations for meditation.

The temple is taken care by a local trust and the shivanadiyar Sri Athmanadar is staying here only for many years and doing puja for both the shiva temples and the perumal temple .

Contact: The temple is opened from morning 6:30 onwards and the contact number is +919443382502

Location: Sri Kumareshwarar Temple, Gudi Perambakkam, Chengalpattu

Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple, Kancheepuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar

Amman: Sri Kamakshi Ambal

 

A beautiful temple said to be of 1000 years plus is very well known temple in the city of Kancheepuram. As per the legend, there was a dispute between Devas and Sages on Vedha. Both went to Lord Shiva and worshiped him to get the solution. Lord Shiva Shiva solved the dispute. And got his name as Vazhakarutheeswarar which literally means the shiva who resolved disputes. Hence, It is believed that Lord Shiva of this temple will relieve us from any court cases and legal disputes.

 

The moolavar is a 16 sided shiva lingam - Shodasha lingam  - 16 denotes the 16 selvangal (blessings) one can possibly be blessed with - material and spiritual. The Avudayar is in the Padma peetam form. This is also a parihara sthalam and it is said that 16 weeks one who visits and worships the moolavar and light a ghee lamp is relieved of any court cases and disputes. You also have another Sannidhi towards the right side of the moolavar called called Parasareshwarar and it was installed by sage Parashar.

This temple is facing east with a Thirukulam in-front. The 3 tier rajagopuram is on the north side. Dwajasthambam, Palipedam and Nandhi are immediately after the Rajagopuram.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Valli devasena Subramaniyar, Thirumurai, Sandikeswarar, Kala bairavar, Suryan, Chandran and navagrahas.In koshtam there are  Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Location: Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple, Kancheepuram