Sri Thirukadayur Kailasanadhar Temple, Sembakkam

 

Moolavar - Sri Kailasanathar
Place - Sembakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu


A very unique sivalingam of 3 feet approximately which looks like a pillar. Seems like been unearthed during some excavation and set here in a small temple. There is a small vigrham of Lord Ganapathy and Anjaneyar. Also a very unique yenthiram like stone in Star formation and the letters describing the Navagrahas.

The local family close by is taking care of daily puja but not full fledged. There are no other separate Sannidhi for Devi like in other temples.

Needs development and maintenance.

Address : Vembuliamman Koil St, Gowrivakkam, Sembakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Sri Hrudayaaleeswarar Temple, Thirunindravur

Moolavar - Sri Hrudayaaleeswarar
Amman - Sri Maraghadhambigai
Place - Thiruninravur, Chennai, Tamilnadu


Thiruninravur has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva which is about 1500 years old. The story of this temple dates back to 7th century during Pallava reign. There was a Shiva devotee living in this place during 7th century called Poosalaar. He has been an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Poosalaar had an extreme ambition in his mind to build a temple for Lord Shiva at this place within his lifetime. He sought for help with many rich people who can fund him to raise a temple. But none helped Poosalaar. So he decided to build a temple for the lord by himself in his heart. As he knew all the Aagama Vidhis (rules and nuances to build a temple), he wanted to build a temple. So he sat under a tree called iluppai tree in the village and started meditating. He planned each and every small detail to perfection for the construction of his own temple in his mind itself. He also marked an auspicious day to start the holy work. The temple started growing up in his mind. It is said that Poosalaar actually took the same time (or months) which will be consumed to construct an actual temple. He built the temple step by step. He had designed everything in his mind right from vimana, sanctum, temple pond, compound walls etc., and executed each in detail as per what he had in mind. After everything shaped up in his mind the temple construction work came to a finish. He even had organised all the utensils required for the temple. Finally, he also fixed an auspicious date for Kumbhabishegam of the temple. He prayed to Lord Shiva to be present for the consecration and offer his blessings. During the same period, a king called Rajasimha Pallava was ruling this part, with his capital as Kanchi (today’s Kanchipuram). He also was a sincere devotee of Lord Shiva and was building a huge beautiful temple for the Lord, at Kanchi. He also named the God as Kailasanathar and the temple as Rajasimmeswaram. The king was too happy to see the grandeur of the temple constructed by him.

The king also marked a date for consecration, while the finishing touches were going on at the temple. One day after visiting the progress of the temple work, he came back tired to bed. Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and told him that he cannot make it to the consecration of the king’s temple on the said date and asked him to change the day of consecration, as he had to be present for consecration of another temple built by Poosalaar of Thiruninravur. The king woke up shockingly and couldn’t believe himself. He was worried that God Himself has given priority to someone else’s temple than his temple. He wanted to know about the temple which God informed him of. He immediately started with his queen, ministers and parivaar to see Poosalaar’s temple at Thiruninravur. He came to Thiruninravur the next day and enquired with many people about a new Shiva temple built by Poosalaar. Nobody knew anything about the temple but directed the king to the place where Poosalaar was meditating under the Iluppai tree. King went and asked Poosalaar himself about the temple. Poosalaar, on hearing the king explaining about his dream, was overwhelmed to realize the mercy shown to him by Lord Shiva. Poosalaar explained the king that he had been constructing the temple in his heart and had fixed a date for consecration. Poosalaar made the king to look at his heart and realize the temple which he constructed. King was able to see and realize the temple made by Poosalaar. Knowing this , Rajasimma was amazed to see the devotion and sincerity of Poosalaar. The king himself took all the specifications of the temple which Poosalaar had in mind and physically constructed a temple for the Lord here. This temple is also called Manakkoil. As Poosalaar originally built the temple for the Lord in his Hridaya, the Lord here is known as Hridhayaaleeswarar.

There is a grand Dhwajasthambha and Nandhi on the outer prakaara. The sanctum is built in Gajabrishta or Thoongaanai maadam shape, that is, the sanctum's shape will look like the back of the sleeping elephant. Lord Hridhayaaleeswarar offers dharshan in the form of a Shiva Linga. Poosalaar is seen praying to the Lord. There is an idol of Rajasimha Pallava too inside the temple. Sri Ganapathy and Sri Subramanya are seen in standing posture. Other deities like Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Naalvar, Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Shiva Subramanyar with Sri Valli and Sri Devasena, Sri Brahma, Sri Durgai, Sri Sandigeswarar, Sri Shivagama Sundari Sametha Sri Nataraja and Sri Bairava are seen in the inner praakaaras. There is also a mandap in which vaahanam for the Lord is kept ready for processions. Many devotees in recent years have started worshipping Lord here, for getting recovered from heart ailments, as the Lord himself is called Hridayaaleeswarar.

There is also a wonderful 'Sri Bakthavatsala Perumal' temple in Thiruninravur, which is one of the Divya Desam close to this temple.

References : 1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hridayaleeswarar_Temple
2. http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=646

Sri Ramanathaeaswarar (Guru Sthalam) Temple, Porur

Moolavar: Sri Ramanathaeaswarar 

Amman: Sri Sivakama Sundari Ambal

Place: Porur, Chennai

A beautiful temple with a histroy connecting with Ramayanam.

While Sri Rama came in search of Sita he happend to step stumbled on a stone at this place in Porur Chennai and realised it was a swyambu lingam and to clear his dhosham of stepping on the lingam started to do a 45 days penace under the nelli maram ( Amla tree) by just eating one amal a day. Once his penance was completed he could see the sivalingam grown up to a 6 ft high and Sri Rama offered his prayers. In return lord siva informed Rama to head to Rameswaram from here.

Interestingly there are certain practice that we see only in Vaishnava sthalam which is also practiced here in a sivasthalam.People who cannot visit Rameswaram can visit this temple to offer their prayers. Hence aptly this place is called vada rameswaram

Location:

Sri Ramanathaeaswarar (Guru Sthalam) Temple,  Porur

Sri Vengeeswarar Temple , Vadapalani

Moolavar: Sri Vengeeswarar

Amman: Sri Saanthanayaki Ambal

Place: Vadapalani, Chennai

The Vengeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the neighbourhood of Vadapalani in Chennai, India. Though the sthalam dates back to vedic age, the temple structure is over 1000 years old and one of the oldest Hindu temples in Chennai city. The temple is dedicated to Shiva who is called Lord Vengeeswarar and the goddess is called Saanthanayaki Ambal. The entrance to this temple is crowned with a big rajagopuram adorned with several stucco images. Other deities: Ganapathi, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Bairavar, Lord Subramanya, Goddess Gajalakshmi. There is a separate shrine for Lord Saneeswarar.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vengeeswarar_Temple

Location:

Sri Vengeeswarar Temple, Vadapalani

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