Sri Somanatheechurar Temple, Sekkadu, Avadi, Chennai

 

Moolavar: Sri Somanatheechurar

Amman: Sri Vedanayagi Ambal

A beautiful 1000 year old temple was known as Siddhar Peedam. The inscriptions from Telugu Chozha period at the nearby Serathamman Temple reveal that this area was once called Seru_Kadu. In Tamil, Seru means mud mixed with abundant water, signifying a lush, fertile land fed by the Holy River Cooum. Over centuries, "Seru Kadu" evolved into the modern "Sekkadu."

Built in the Gajaprishta (elephant-back) style, the architecture dates back to the Pallava and Chozha eras. The tenple is on the banks of coovam river. Swamy is facing the east and Vedanayagi Ambal stands gracefully in the maha mandapam, facing south, with a Mahameru installed in front of her.

To the right of the main Balipeedam lies the Jeeva Samadhi of the Sekkadu Siddhar.For years, the Shiva Lingam was directly atop the Siddhar’s Samadhi. 

However, in 2016, following spiritual indications, the Lingam was moved to a separate shrine, and a dedicated idol of the Siddhar in a sitting posture was installed over the Samadhi.

Locals speak of countless miracles attributed to this "nameless" saint. Because his origins and name remain a mystery to history, he is simply and reverently known as the Sekkadu Siddhar.

Contact: The temple is being maintained by Sri Bala and can be reached on 9841935012

Location: Sri Somanatheechurar Temple, Sekkadu, Avadi, Chennai

Sri Kasi Vishwanathar Temple, Karukupetai, Kancheepuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Kasi Vishwanatha

Amman: Sri Kasi Visalakshi Ambal

A good 1000 years old temple on the way to Kanchipuram main city from Walajabad. It is said that during that time 5 shivalingams were got from Kasi to Kanchipuram and was installed in 5 villages and it’s called as Pancha Kasi Kshetram and the villages are Karukupetai, Pudhupettai, Navaspettai, Babaspettai and Thimmianpettai.

The moolavar is a beautiful small shivalingam just like in Kasi, separate sannidhi for Visalakshi facing south in the maha mandapam. The temple is facing east and there is also a south and west entrance. 

Contact: The temple kurukal Shanmugasundaram can be reached on 9042381875

Location: Sri Kasi Vishwanathar temple, Karukupetai, Kancheepuram

Sri Thinthirineesvarar Temple, Tindivanam, Villupuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Thinthirineesvarar

Amman: Sri Maragathavalli Ambal

In ancient times, the town now known as Tindivanam was called Tinthrivanam, meaning the forest of tamarind trees—“Tinthiri” signifying tamarind and “Vanam” meaning forest in Sanskrit. It was beneath one such sacred tamarind tree that a Shiva Linga was discovered. From this divine revelation, the Lord of the temple came to be known as Thindrivaneshwarar, the presiding deity of Tinthrivanam.

This holy shrine holds a revered place as a Thevara Vaippu Sthalam, as it finds mention in the sacred Devaram hymns sung by Thirunavukkarasar (Appar). References to this temple appear in the 6th Thirumurai, specifically in the 7th Pathigam (8th song) and the 70th Pathigam (9th song), affirming its antiquity and spiritual importance.

The temple is believed to have been constructed during the Chola period. According to local tradition, it was sanctified by the visits of the Nalvars—Appar, Sundarar, Thirugnana Sambandar, and Manikkavasagar—as well as Saint 

Arunagirinathar. Inscriptions found within the temple refer to this sacred place as Oyma Nattu Thindeeswaram, reflecting its historical identity.

Legend further holds that Sage Veda Vyasa himself built the majestic Rajagopuram of this temple. It is also believed that the great sages Valmiki and Vyasa, along with the divine Dwarapalakas of Lord Shiva—Thindi and Mundi, and devotees such as Killi and Killali, worshipped Lord Shiva here. The place where Thindi offered his worship came to be known as Thindeeswaram (Tindivanam), while the place sanctified by Mundi’s devotion is called Mundeeswaram.

Facing east, the temple features a six-tiered Rajagopuram. The lower structure is built of sturdy granite, while the upper portions are constructed with bricks. Directly aligned with the sanctum are the Dhwajastambha and Nandi, standing in reverent attendance. The temple comprises two prakarams, enclosing the sacred space.

The presiding deity, Sri Thindrivaneshwarar, is a Swayambhu Lingam, enshrined in the east-facing sanctum. Adorning the koshta walls are the idols of Selva Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, and Durga, with Chandikeswarar occupying his customary position. The Divine Mother, known as Maragathavalli or Maragathambal, resides in a separate east-facing shrine located to the left of the main sanctum.

At the inner entrance of the gopuram, Bhairavar and Surya stand guard. The temple walls are embellished with murals depicting Prahalada and the Surutapalli Temple, adding artistic and devotional depth to the sacred space. The outer prakaram houses shrines dedicated to Vinayaka, Murugan, Anjaneya, and the Navagrahas.

A unique feature of this temple is the presence of Pancha Lingams (Five Lingams)—Baktha Prahaladeswarar, Gyanapureeswarar, Karakandeswarar, Swayambhu Moolanathar, and the presiding Thindrivaneshwarar. The sacred Sthala Vriksham of the temple is the Tamarind tree, under which the divine presence was first revealed, eternally linking the Lord to the land.

Contact: The temple kurukal Sri Balaji can be reached at 9843983463

Location: Sri Thinthirineesvarar Temple, Tindivanam, Villupuram

Sri Karkadeswarar Temple, Manavoor, Thiruvallur

 

Moolavar: Sri Karkadeswarar

Amman: Sri Aadikamakshi Ambal

Adhi Kamakshi Ambal samedha Sri Karkadeswarar Temple, located in Manavoor is a revered Shiva temple with a rich history. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, who is worshipped as Adhi Kamakshi, and Lord Shiva as Karkadeswarar.

The temple is facing east with an entrance metal arch. Rishabam and balipeedam are in the mukha mandapam. Murugan and Vinayagar are on both side of the ardha mandapam entrance. There is no provision for the Koshtas, hence no images are installed. In praharam Bairavar and Chandikeswarar.

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple adhistanam with 3 angas. There is no Kostas and pilaster on the bhitti / wall.  An eka thala vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Maha nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions. Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams. The Vimanam over the Ambal sanctum sanctorum is also with similar construction.

It is believed that the original temple was built during Pallava period and latter received contributions from Chozhas. The Temple was reconstructed with the same stones and sculptures. A concrete Mukha mandapam was added during recent years. Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 27th January 2019.

Location: Sri Karkadeswarar Temple, Manavoor, Thiruvallur 

Sri Agatheeswarar Temple, Ozhalur, Chengalpattu

 

Moolavar: Sri Agatheeswarar

Amman: Sri Aaranangambal

On entering the temple, we have ganesa murthi on the left, named as the varam tharum Sundara vinayagar. The main deity Agastheeswarar is west facing, just opposite Vinayagar, with a bigger linga swaroopam situated below the ground level. The valli devasena samedha subramanya swamy here is named as pun muruval azhagiya Perumal, standing tall at about 5 Ft. 

A unique characteristic of the murugan is the thandam on his right leg. Thayar is named as Aaranangambal also is below the ground level gracing us with her beautiful smile. There is no dwajasthambam hence no brahmotsavam.  Kumbabishekam happened recently during the year of 2024. Daily 1 kaala pooja is happening with help of village people. The temple is located at Alapakkam in Ozhalur village under Chengalpattu district

Contact: Sivanadiyar shankar can be reached at +919999326630

Location: Sri Agatheeswarar Temple, Ozhalur, Chengalpattu