Sri Agatheeswarar Temple, Kolapakkam

Moolavar - Sri Agatheeswarar
Amman - Sri Aanandhavalli Ambal
Place - Kolapakkam,Chennai, Tamilnadu

A beautiful Shiva temple where the main deity is Sri Agatheeswarar (also called Sri Vaakeesa Mahadhevar) and Goddess Sri Aanandhavalli.

This temple is said to be over 1300 years old. According to legend, Sri Surya Bhagavan had worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple. Sri Surya Bhagavan has a separate shrine inside this temple facing the Lord towards west. This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai devoted to Sri Surya Bhagavan. The Sun God is given prominence in this temple, where all important deities of the temples are facing Surya Bhagavan shrine.

It is said that, apart from Surya Bhagavan, Sage Agasthiyar too had worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Sri Agatheeswarar. Another Rishi called Vaakeesa Muni also had worshipped Sri Agatheeswarar here.

The temple is built facing south on a vast land. Sri Agatheeswarar is seen facing east. Ambaal Sri Aanandhavalli is facing south and is in standing posture. Nandhi is seen facing the Lord towards east.

There is a separate shrine for Lord Ganesha called Raja Ganapathy here. Also, Sri Kaasi Viswanathar and Sri Visaalakshi have separate shrines facing east at the south west portion of the temple. Lord Subramanyar also has a shrine in the temple in which a Maragatha Mayil (Peacock made of green granite) is found.

Sri Kaala Bhairavar is very popular in this temple and is said to be more powerful. Special Poojas and Abishegams are performed to Sri Kaala Bhairavar every Sunday during Raahu Kaalam (4.30 pm to 6 pm) timings. It is said that people worshipping Sri Bhairavar here for 6 consecutive Sundays, get their wishes fulfilled.

Many kings have patronized this temple during various periods. A king called Aadhithyan is said to have done renovations to the temple during 878 AD.

One strange thing is everyday a cat comes here when the temple is opened and sits right in front of the lord and stares at the lingam as if he is meditating. The priest says probably Agatheeswarar Muni is worshipping the lord in the form of a cat

Also Raja Raja Chozha I, Raja Raja Chozha II (1152 AD), Kulothunga Chozha III (1188 AD), Sundara Pandiyan (1200 AD), Veera Rajendra Chozha, a Telugu Chozha king called Vijayakanda Gopala are said to have contributed much to the temple, according to the inscriptions found in the temple

References:
1.http://www.dharsanam.com/2008/04/kolappaakkam-sri-agatheeswarar.html
2.http://templesoftamilnadu.co.in/suryan-sthalam-kolapakkam/

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Nedungundram

 

 

 

 

Moolavar - Sri Agastheeswarar Temple
Amman - Sri Thiripurasundari Ambal
Place - Nedungundram, Chennai, Tamilnadu

On a beautiful rainy morning at Chennai visiting this 13th century temple was an amazing experience.

The temple is facing east with an arch on the east side and an entrance on the south. Dwajasthambam, Balipedam and Nandhi are immediately after the south side entrance arch. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of the arch. Temple tank with a big banyan tree is in front of the temple.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Iyappan, Sri Valli devasena Subramaniyar, Maha Lakshmi, Bairavar, Navagrahas with their vahanas, Sandikeswarar and Nagars under a neem tree.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam. Urchavars, Bala Ganapathy, Bala Subramaniyar, Bala Sundari are in the arthamandapam.

Moolavar is little big and Ambal is in separate sannadhi in arthamandapam facing south. In Koshtam Dhakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Inscriptions of Rajaraja –III, ie 13th century inscriptions are on the kumudham of athidanam. One of the inscription speaks about donation of a cow to burn a perpetual lamp till sun and moon exists, also the the cow’s calf to be maintained in the temple when the Cow becomes old. Another inscription mentions this place as PerunKulathur, it means a big water body / Kulam latter changed to the present name of Perungalathur.

References:
1.http://remoteoldtemples.blogspot.com/2017/03/nedunkundram-sivan-temple.html

Sri Sathyapureeswarar Temple, Ponmar

 

 

 

 

 

Moolavar - Sri Sathyapureeswarar / Shakthipuriswarar
Amman- Sri Sathyapureeswari / Sakthipureeswari
Place - Ponmar, Medavakkam - Mambakkam Road, Chennai, Tamilnadu

This temple is unusally a south facing temple. There are very few south facing temples and this unknown temple in a very small village is one of those. The Lord is east facing and the Goddess is facing south.

The goddess is very unique with her head tilted a little towards the left and it seems she is willing to listen to all your prayers.

There are inscription on the walls which belongs to the Vijaya Nagara Empire, dating inscribed 1520 AD during the reign of Sadasivarayar, nephew of Krishna Deva Raya. This location is referred to as Thyaga Vinodha Nalloore now called Ponmaru. This inscription also refers to a small village called Poyilicheri near Ponmar.

The exterior of the temple has a separate shrine of Kasi Viswanathar. The outer areas are very beautifully engraved with great amount of detailing.

Other shrines here are of Brahma, Valampuri Vinayakar with trunk turned to right and has a beautiful smile, Lord Muruga, and Bhairavar. Behind the temple there is a small pond. There are no goshta murtis around which is very unlikely for any Shiva temples.

It is believed that doing abhishekam to the goddess here with manjal (turmeric) helps in thyroid issues for ladies. And lord shiva here heals issues with stomach aches n pains.

This is very well maintained temple and has special worships during pradhosham and other festivals. A must visit temple for all those who like to visit old Shiva temples

There is a need for some bit of restructuring and those willing to contribute funds for the Thirupani can reach to Srinivas 9940262654

References:
1.http://travel.bhushavali.com/2011/09/sathyapureeswarar-temple-kanchipuram.html

Sri Othandeshwarar Temple,Thirumazhisai

 

 

Moolavar - Sri Othandeshwarar
Amman - Sri Kulirvitha Nayagi Amman
Place - Thirumazhisai, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Chola king Karikal Peruvalathan was proceeding on his elephant to worship Shiva in another place. On the way, one leg of the elephant was caught in a creeper. Despite efforts, it could not pull out from the bush. The king tried his hands to remove the bush but could not. He began cutting the bush with his sword which began to bleed. Shocked king, found a Shiva Linga hidden under the bushes. Realizing that he had offended the Lord, he unhesitatingly cut his hand with the same sword when Lord appeared before him with Mother on His Nandi and fixed the hand as before. Remembering the event, Lord is praised as Kai Thandha Piran – Lord who gave hands. Lord consoled the king. Mother narrated to king the stories of Shiva devotees and cooled his mind. Kulirvithal in Tamil in this context means cooling the sorrows of devotees, hence, she is praised as Kulirvitha Nayaki.

There is a scar on the head of Shiva Linga caused by a cut. Lord and Mother grace together from behind the Linga in the sanctum sanctorum facing east. Devotees firmly believe that worshipping them together would release them from all the sins and ensure total salvation. Lord Othandeswarar is also praised as Mano Anukula Easwarar as He blesses the devotees with mental strength.
Lord Vinayaka of the temple is revered as

Prasanna Vinayaka. The faith is strong among the devotees that unity among the couple would be closer if they worship Lord Nataraja and Mother Ambica both looking at each other ensuring happiness in life. The Vimana, tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabrushta design. Lord Vishnu facing west is on the goshta. There are shrines of Sani Bhagwan, Vrushaba Nayaka in the prakara-corridor.

References:
1.http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=141
2.http://templetrot.com/Temple/Sri-Othandeswarar-Temple-Thirumazhisai-Tiruvallur/55f65db24ef8611c0a0164bd

Sri Somanaadheeswarar Temple, Somangalam

 

Moolavar - Sri Somanaadheeswarar
Amman - Sri Kamakshi Amman
Place - Somangalam, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Somangalam lies at about 35 kms south west of Chennai city. One can take the route from Tambaram via Kishkinta to reach Somangalam. The better alternative is to take the road from Pallavaram going to Kunrathur. After reaching Kunrathur junction, one has to take left (towards south) to reach Somangalam. Somangalam is about 10 kms from Kunrathur. Also plenty of busses ply from Porur directly to Somangalam.

Somangalam is an ancient, beautiful village having a temple for Lord Shiva. The main deity here is Sri Somanaadheeswarar and Goddess Sri Kamakshi Amman.

This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Sri Chandra Bhagavan (Moon God). According to legend, once, Sri Chandra Bhagavan (also called Soman) is said to have got cursed by Dhakshan. As a result, he lost his divine charm and forgot all 16 form of arts he acquired. To come out of this, He is said to have created a pond here called Soma Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva here. After this, he got back his beauty and wisdom. As Sri Soman (Sri Chandra Bhagavan) worshipped the Lord here, Lord Shiva here is called Somanaadheeswarar and the place came to be known as Somangalam.

This temple is a Parihaara Sthalam for those having any Dhosham related to Chandra Bhagavan. Sri Chandra Bhagavan has a separate shrine in the temple, facing west.

This temple is said to have been built by Kulothunga Chozha in 1073 AD during his 3rd year of reign. According to inscriptions found here, this place was referred as ‘Jayankonda Chozha Mandalathu Senkaattu Kottathu Maaganoor Naattu Somangalamaana Rajasigaamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam”

Those days the places gifted (tax free) to Vedic Brahmins by ancient kings were called Chathurvedhi Mangalams.

There lived a king called Somakaanthan in this part of the country, who wished to build 108 Shiva temples throughout his country. While he was in the middle of the construction work for this temple, he had his enemies marching towards his territory for war. The king was shocked to hear this, because he was never prepared for a war at that time and had engaged all his soldiers in the temple construction work.
With much grief, he prayed Lord Shiva here to save him. Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion in constructing the temple, directed Sri Nandhigeswarar to fight against the king’s enemy. Nandhi turned towards east and blew away the entire troupes of the enemy just with his forceful breath. Lord Shiva made Nandhi to face east permanently to make sure that there were no further attacks to the king’s country by enemies.

Here one can see Nandhi unusually facing east instead of facing the Lord in the sanctum. This is one of the very unique features of this temple.

Ambaal Sri Kamakshi Amman has a separate shrine in the temple, facing south.

Lord Natarajar here is present as Chathura Thaandava Murthy which is again very unique and rarely seen anywhere.

The sanctum is built in Gajabrishta shape or Thoongaanai Maadam type which is popular in Chozha architecture. Such structures would look like the back of a sleeping elephant.

References:
1.http://www.dharsanam.com/2008/04/somangalam-sri-somanaadheeswarar.html
2.http://www.templeadvisor.com/temples-in-india/hindu-temples/somangalam-sri-somanaadheeswarar

Sri Jambugeswarar Temple, Sembakkam

 

 

 

 

Moolavar - Sri Jambugeswarar
Amman - Sri Azhagambikai
Place- Sembakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Sembakkam village is situated about 45 kms from Chennai. It lies on the road connecting Thirupporur (OMR) and Chengalpattu and at about 7 kms while going from Thirupporur. There is an arch on the left side of the road, indicating the direction to the temple. The temple is about 1 km from the main road.

Sembakkam has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva where the main deity is Sri Jambugeswarar and Goddess Sri Azhagaambigai. This temple is also called Vada Thiruvanaikkaa or Uthara Jambugeswaram as this temple also represents Water element. Moreover, this temple is also built by the same king Ko Chengannan who built the Thiruvanaikkaa Sri Jambugeswarar temple.

According to the legend, when Lord Muruga killed Soorapadhman (Soora Samhaaram) the head of the demon is believed to have fallen here and hence the place was known as Sirampakkam (Siram means Head in Thamizh). It is said that the name Sirampakkam got changed as Sembakkam down the generations. Even today, the flag hoisting ceremony of Thirupporur Sri Kandhaswamy temple (for Lord Muruga) is done by the people of Sembakkam.

It is said that Sri Aadhiseshan along with Vasuki and other Naga Kanyas came here and worshipped Lord Shiva to get relieved of their sin as Sri Aadhiseshan spit Poison while churning the mighty ocean. Another story has it that Sage Naradha was explaining the sanctity of Sri Uthara Jambugeswarar to Lord Indra who didn’t pay much attention in listening to the sage. Because of this, Indra got into difficulties and came personally and worshipped Lord Shiva here.

As per Sthalapuraanam, the king Ko Chengannan who was childless was traveling across the country worshipping Lord Shiva at various places. When he reached Sembakkam the axle of his Chariot broke down here and he was resting at this place. Lord Shiva appeared in his dreams and directed him to build a temple here, where He would be called Sri Jambugeswarar along with Goddess Sri Azhagaambigai. The king built this temple for Lord Shiva and was blessed with a child.
This beautiful temple has a wide landscape inside the compound where a beautiful garden is maintained. Sri Jambugeswarar is facing east from a small sanctum with Dwarapaalakas guarding it. A beautiful Nandhi is facing the Lord here towards the sanctum.

References:
1.https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/12/jambugeswarar-temple-sembakkam.html
2.http://www.dharsanam.com/2008/03/sembakkam-sri-jambugeswarar.html