Sri Kasiviswanather Temple, West Mambalam

Moolavar: Sri Kasiviswanather

Amman: Sri Visalakshi

Place: West Mambalam, Chennai

Kasi Viswanatha Temple is a Hindu temple located in the neighbourhood of West Mambalam in Chennai, India. Dedicated to Siva, the temple is named after the Vishwanatha Temple at Varanasi. Constructed in the 17th century, the temple is also known as "Mahabilva Kshetra".

Around 400 years ago, the part which is today called West Mambalam was a small hamlet with big and enormous vilwa trees. The place had been called Mahabilam. They say that the name became Mambalam in course of time. When a swayambhu lingam appeared in Mahabilam, people built a temple for it. Researchers say that the temple might have been built by a Nayakka king of Vijayanagar Empire. The God appeared in the dream of a Nayakka king after he worshipped Him in Kasi and told him to build a temple for Him. Accordingly, Kasi Viswanatha temple was built in Tenkasi. The sthala purana says that the temple at Mambalam in Chennai was also built during this same period by the Nayakka king. Usually, at the temples built during the Nayakka regimes, an emblem of fish will be seen. At the granite roof of this temple also, figures of fishes are seen. Researchers say that this is a proof for the claim that the temple was built by a Nayakka king

In the sanctum, Kasi Viswanatha, facing the east, blesses His devotees. He is a lingam, installed on a high peedam. The small Nandi in front of the sanctum holds our attention with its beauty. After praying to the Lord, when we move rightward, we see the sannidhi of Lord Vinayaka. Then, we’ve the darshan of Lord Muruga along with His consorts Valli and Devyani. Next is situated the sannidhi of Annai Visalakshi. We feel ecstatic seeing the beautiful Visalashi thaayar in a beautifully built sannidhi.

The prahara is spacious so that devotees can have darshan of deities without difficulty. There are Vasantha mandap and Navagraha mandap too

Pradosham is celebrated here every month on a very grand scale. Also, Sivarathri and Arudra vizha are being celebrated with grandeur.

Those, who are unable to go to Kasi for darshan of God can visit this temple and pray to the deity and be blessed by the Lord with all prosperity

Reference:
http://www.westmambalamkasiviswanathartemple.tnhrce.in/history.html

Location:

Sri Kasiviswanather Temple, West Mambalam

Seven Shiva Temples (Saptha Sthaana) of Mylapore

 

 

In search of finding the reason for the famous saying " Mailaye kailai" (Mylapore is equivlant to Kailash) we got the following information from one of our team member and decided to visit all 7 temples in one single day

There are seven great Shiva temples in Mylapore, Chennai. Most have heard of the famous Kapaleeswarar Temple, but how about the other six? In fact, many who visit the Kapali temple regularly have not even stepped inside the important Velleeswarar Temple just next door to it!

The key to this Siddha worship procedure is that devotees should offer worship at the six other Shiva temples first before visitng the Kapaleeswarar Temple.

Order of temple in which we need to visit:

Mylapore Saptha Sthaana Shiva worship includes
(1) Sri Karaneeswarar Temple
(2) Sri Theerthapaleeswarar Temple
(3) Sri Velleeswarar Temple
(4) Sri Virupaksheeswarar Temple
(5) Sri Valeeswarar Temple
(6) Sri Malleeswarar Temple and
(7) Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple, in that order

Given its the month of Aadi we started this trip of 7 temples after visiting the Famous Mundagakanni Amman temple dedicated to Devi. It was indeed a divine experience to see the early morning Nirmalya dharshan and also the previous day Pradosha Utsavar vigraham

Kanchipuram Shivan Temples (Ekambareswarar, Kachabeswarar and Kailasanathar)

 

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram:

(Pancha Bootha Sthalam - Earth)

This vast temple is one of the most ancient in India having been in existence since at least 600 AD. Second century AD Tamil poetry speaks of Kama kottam, and the Kumara kottam (currently the Kamakashi Amman temple and the Subramanya temple). The existing structure then, was pulled down and rebuilt by the Pallava Kings. The Cholas, who came later, also made several contributions to the temple.No separate shrine for Parvati exists here (as in other Shiva temples in Kanchipuram).

There is a small shrine for Lord Vishnu named Thiru Nilaaththingal Thundathan. Here, the Lord Vishnu is prayed as Vamana Murthy.

The temple covers an area of over 40 acres. Reaching a height of 57 meters, the temple's Raja gopuram (the entrance tower to the temple) is one of the tallest in South India and was built by the Vijayanagar King, Krishnadevaraya.

One notable feature of the temple is the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, or the "hallway with a thousand pillars", which was built by the Vijayanagar Kings. The temple's inner walls are decorated with an array of 1,008 Siva lingams.

The sthala-virutcham is a 3,500 year old mango tree whose branches are said to yield four different types of mangoes.

Legend has it that once Parvati was doing tapas under the temple's ancient Mango Tree. In order to test her devotion Lord Shiva sent fire on her. Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Lord Vishnu, for help. In order to save her, he took the Moon from Lord Shiva's head and showed the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati.

After that, Lord Shiva again sent the river Ganga to disrupt Parvati's tapas. Parvati devi prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so should not harm her. And so Ganga did not disturb her penance after that. Then Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand and got united with Lord Shiva.

According to another legend, it is believed that Parvati worshipped Shiva in the form of a Prithivi Lingam (or a Lingam improvised out of sand), under a mango tree. Legend has it that the neighboring Vegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Lingam and that Parvati or Kamakshi embraced the Lingam. Shiva touched by the gesture materialized in person and married her. In this context he is referred to as Tazhuva kuzhainthaar ("He who melted in Her embrace") in Tamil.

Temple Timings:
Morning 6.00 a.m. To 12.30 p.m
Evening 4.00 p.m. To 8.30 p.m

Pooja Details:
Koo Pooja - 6.00 a.m
Ukshakala Pooja - 6.30 a.m. To 7.30 a.m
Kala santhi Pooja - 7.30 a.m. To 8.30 a.m
Uchikala Pooja - 11.30 a.m. To 12.00 Noon
Pradhosa Kaalam - 5.00 p.m. To 5.30 p.m
Sayaratchai Pooja - 6.00 p.m. To 7.00 p.m
Arthajama Pooja - 8.30 p.m

Reference:
http://www.ekambaranathartemple.tnhrce.in/index.html

Location:
Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

 

Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram:

The Kanchi Kailasanathar temple is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram.Located in Tamil Nadu, India, it is a Hindu temple in the Tamil architectural style. It is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and is known for its historical importance. The temple was built from 685-705 AD by a Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II) ruler of the Pallava Dynasty. The low-slung sandstone compound contains a large number of carvings, including many half-animal deities which were popular during the early Pallava architectural period.The structure contains 58 small shrines which are dedicated to various forms of Shiva. These are built into niches on the inner face of the high compound wall of the circumambulatory passage.

The main shrine has a 16 sided Shivalinga in black granite stone deified in the sanctum sanctorum. Within the walls of the main shrine there is padabhanda adhisthana (main pedestal) with very elegantly carved images of gods with a sculpted Nandi, a little distance away giving guard to the deity. On each face of the outer walls of the main shrine there are many carvings of deities.

In the south facing wall the sculpture depicts Shiva as Umamaheshavara (Shiva with his consort Parvati) with Lingodbhava (emergence of Shiva as fiery pillar - linga) surrounded by Brahma and Vishnu and flying amaras on the lower level.

The west facing hall has sculptures of Shiva in the form of Sandhya Tandavamurti and Urdhava Tandvamurti and the ensemble is completed with images of ganas in dancing poses and also with images of Brahma, Vishnu, Nandi and Parvati.

The carving of Shiva on the north facing wall is a composition of Tripurantaka flanked by three ganas, goddess Durga with three ganas, and goddesses Bhairavi, Kaushiki and Jyestha.

The exterior faces of the vimana (tower) have images of aspects of Shiva - Bhikshatana, Somaskanda and in Samhara-Tandava (destructive dancing) pose.

Temple Timings:
Morning 6.00 a.m. To 10.00 p.m
Evening 5.00 p.m. To 8.00 p.m

Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanchi_Kailasanathar_Temple

Location:
Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram

Kachabeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram:

Tirukachur is near Chengalpat in Kancheepuram district. There are two Shiva temples here one at the top of the hill, the other at the foot of the hill. Saint Sundarar had sung the praise of the Lords in a single Pathigam – 10 verses. Maha Ganapathy and Thalamoola Vinayaka grace the devotees. The Vimana of Lord Shiva is of Gajabrushta design.

      Kachabeswarar temple is one of the most important and big temples of Kanchipuram city, the city of thousand temple. Kachabeswarar temple is located in the southern corner of Western Raja street, at a distance of around 1 km from the famous Ekambareswarar temple in Kanchipuram.

      Kachabeswarar temple is a Shiva temple, and Lord Shiva, the main deity of this temple is called as Kachabeswarar. The goddess is called as Soundarambikai. The temple has big Raja gopuram (temple tower) and very big in area. The temple also houses other idols such as Saraswati, Ganesha, Chadurmukeswarar, Sastha and Bhairav. There are four shrines of Lord Shiva around the temple tank (called as Ishta Siddhi Teerth) - Dharma Siddheswarar, Kama Siddheswarar, Artha Siddheeswarar and Moksha Siddheswarar. Near the main deity Kachabeswarar, there is an idol of Lord Ganesha called as Satyamozhi Vinayaka, which was worshipped by Lord Vishnu.

Legend:
While churning the milk ocean, the Mandhara hill used as the stick (mathu) began to sink. To bring it out, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Kachaba-tortoise to help the Devas. He came to this place, created a spring, bathed and prayed to Lord Shiva in the endeavour. As Lord Shiva helped Vishnu, hence named Kachabeswarar. The place came to be known as Tirukachur after this event.

          Mother Anjanakshi in Kachabeswarar temple blesses the devotees from a separate shrine. Anjanam means eyes. As the Mother is protecting devotees as Her own eyes, She is so named. Admiring Her beauty, She is also praised as Sundaravalli. The Sri Chakra is installed in the mandap before this shrine. Women light ghee lamps here for family welfare and prosperity. Lord Shiva also staged His Ajaba Dance here as Thiagaraja for Lord Vishnu. As a procession deity of the temple, all festivals are dedicated to Him. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the praise of Lord Muruga of this temple. As Kallala Maram (Banyan tree) is the sacred tree, the temple is also known as Aala Koil – banyan tree temple.

Timings:
Morning : 5.30 A.M. to 12.00 Noon
Evening : 4.00 P.M to 8.00 P.M

Reference:
http://www.kanchipuramkachabeswarartemple.tnhrce.in/index.html

Location: Kachabeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

 

Sri Kachchaleeswarar Temple, Parrys

  

Moolavar:Sri Kachaaleshwarar
Amman: Sri Soundaraambikai
Place: Parry's corner, Chennai

Kachchaleswarar Temple, also known as the Great Kachali Pagoda, is a Hindu temple located in Armenian Street, in the neighbourhood of Parry's corner (Old: George Town) in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India. Constructed on land belonging to dubash Kalavai Chetty in 1725, the temple belonged to the left-hand castes and was the site of the first major conflict between left and right-handed castes in the then Madras city.

The temple is modelled on the Kachaaleshwarar temple at Kancheepuram. Kachaaleshwarar (Shiva) is the main deity and Soundaraambikai, the consort deity.

Location: Sri Kachchaleeswarar Temple, Parrys

Sri Kurungaleeswarar Temple, Koyambedu

Moolavar:Sri Kurungaleeswarar
Amman:Sri Aram Valartha Nayagi
Place: Koyambedu, Chennai

Kurungaleeswarar Temple is a historically important Hindu temple in the neighbourhood of Koyambedu (the name coming from ‘ko(horse)+ambu(arrow)+pedu(fence)’ when lava & Kucha caught the horse sent by Rama in a fence made of arrows) Chennai, India. The temple encloses a large tank and dates from the Medieval Chola period.

Kurungaleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the neighbourhood of Koyambedu in Chennai City of Tamil Nadu. This temple is situated on the banks of river Cooum at Koyambedu. The presiding deity is called as Kurungaleeswarar / Kuchalavapureeswarar and Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini / Aram Valartha Nayagi. Sthalavriksham (the divine tree of the temple) is a jack tree.

This temple was believed to be developed by Valmiki while Sita has come down with heavy heart after separating from Lord Rama. She had been worshipping Siva and she gave birth for Lava and Kusha. Both have been growing well with the support of Valmiki. One day the Aswamedha Yagna was conducted by Lord Rama at Ayodhya and the horse was running away and reached this place, which is presently called Koyembedu. Earlier it was called Kosai. The horse has to be traced and brought back to the place where Yagna was started. But these two children of Rama kept the horse and firmly resisted Lord Rama's battalion. Finally Lakshman also came and he was also defeated. Finally Lord Rama had to enter into the battle and his sons were preparing. Fortunately, Saint Valmiki made the children realise that they are going to fight against their own father and vice versa. After this the Ram family was united and from then on, this temple is known for family unity and togetherness as Shiva was the cause for the re-uniting of Lord Ram's family

Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurungaleeswarar_Temple

Location:
Sri Kurungaleeswarar Temple, Koyambedu

 

Sri Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Madambakkam

Legend:

Dhenupureeswarar got his name because he gave moksha to a cow (Sanskrit: Dhenu).Sage Kapila is said to have been reborn as a cow for his sin of having improperly worshiped a Shiva lingam using his left hand. The cow continued to worship Shiva by pouring milk on a Shiva lingam buried in the ground. The cowherd initially punished the cow for wasting the milk, but when the villagers unearthed the Shiva lingam, Shiva appeared and granted moksha (liberation) to Kapila and forgave the cowherd who had mistreated him. Legend has it that the king had a dream of this occurrence at this site and had the temple built to commemorate it.

Dhenupureeswarar's consort here is Dhenukambal. The main building of the temple, which contains the statue of Dhenupureeswara in linga form, faces east and his consort faces south in a separate sanctum.The Shiva lingam is Swayambhu Lingam or Self Manifested Lingam.

The temple was built during the reign of the Chola king, Parantaka Chola II, father of Raja Raja Chola I, who constructed the famous Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. The main sanctum (Sanskrit: garbha griha), like some other Chola temples in and around Chennai, is apsidal in shape (Sanskrit: gajaprishta vimana) (also described as shaped like the back of a sleeping elephant), unlike most Hindu shrines, which are square or rectangular.

The temple is thought to have been consolidated with stones during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I.

Well-preserved Chola sculptures and carved pillar bases are present in and around both sanctums.

A number of fine inscriptions and sculptures dating to the Vijayanagara Empire are also preserved.

Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhenupureeswarar_Temple_(Madambakkam)

Location:
Sri Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Madambakkam

Sri Nandeeswarar Temple, Guduvanchery

Moolavar: Sri Nandeeswarar
Amman: Sri Soundara Nayagi
Place: Guduvanchery, Chennai

Legend:
As per the legend, Lord Brahma advised to churn the celestial sea to obtain “Amruth” which would help devas to become immortal. Devas, unable to churn the sea alone with Manthara Mountain and vasuki sought the help of Asuras. In the beginning, poison came out of the sea. Lord Shiva took the poison himself and saved this universe. At the end of the churning, Danwanthari appeared with Amruth pot in his hand. After the brief quarrel with Asuras, devas were able to retrieve the pot and consume the Amruth. The devas started singing, dancing and enjoying after having Amruth, and they totally forgot Lord Shiva due to who they were alive. After some time, they realized their mistake and apologized to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva forgave them and danced in the middle of his vahan (vehicle) Nandi’s (bull) horns, and hence he got the name Nandeeswarar.

The temple is half a km away from the Guduvanchery bus terminus.This temple is believed to be built by Nandivarma Pallava in 715 CE.

Nandeeswarar Temple have seperate shrines for Lord Brahma, Lord Mahavishnu , Lord Dakshinamurthy , Lord Bhairavar , Lord Durgai , Lord Valampuri Vinayagar, Lord Arumugar.

The temple is open from 6 AM to 11 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM

Reference:
http://temples-chennai.blogspot.com/2011/06/nandeeswarar-temple-nandivaram.html

Location:
Sri Nandeeswarar Temple, Guduvanchery