Saturday, August 11, 2018

Sri Thiruvetteeswarar Temple, Triplicane










Moolavar - Sri Thiruvetteeswarar
Amman - Sri Shengbagambikai
Place - Triplicane, Chennai, Tamilnadu

The temple assumes importance as a sacred place for remedy from the adverse aspects of planets Rahu and Ketu. The temple has three flag posts-Kodi Maram for Lord Shiva, Lord Shanmuga and Mother Ambica. It is said that Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva here to have the Hand of Lord Vishnu. Supporting this story, Mother Mahalakshmi is seen performing abishek to Lord Shiva depicted in a pillar sculpture. Mothers Mahalakshmi and Maha Saraswathi are seen side by side in a shrine. Lord Vinayaka has a separate shrine where devotees light lamps with coconut oil and coconut garlands. Lord Shanmugha graces from a separate shrine on the peacock vehicle. On every Sashti day – 6th day of either new moon or full moon days – pujas are conducted in the shrine with six flowers, six nivedhanas, six fruits by six priests performing the ‘Shatru Samhara Trisadha’ puja, a special event in the temple

References:
1. http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=38
2. http://www.tiruvallikenitiruvetteeswarartemple.tnhrce.in/

Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Besant Nagar





Moolavar - Sri Rathnagiriswarar
Amman - Sri Aralakesi Amman
Place - Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Way back in 1968, when the residents of Besant Nagar, mostly Government employees, at that time wanted a place of worship. Accordingly when His Holiness Sri Abhinava Vidyathirtha Maha Sannidhanam visited Chennai, Besant Nagar residents invited him and sought his blessings for building a prayer structure. His Holiness with His benevolence blessed them and sprinkled holy water, flowers and akshthai at the place where Sri Rathnagiriswarar temple stands now.

The residents later decided to form a regulated forum for this purpose and thus created a body and named it as BHAKTHA MANDALI. This was registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. Bhaktha Mandali (Regd) then purchased a piece of land admeasuring around 4 grounds for building a pucca place of worship .

Bhaktha Mandali members then approached the most venerable sage of Kanchi Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Maha Swamigal and sought his benign grace for building a temple in Besant Nagar. His Holiness prophesied that they could search the seashore in Thiruvanmiyur where they would locate a Maha Lingam, which could be installed as the presiding deity of the proposed temple. The elated residents taking the words of His Holiness Sri Maha Swamigal with absolute faith, searched the seashore of Thiruvanmiyur coast and finally located the Mahalingam Vigram there. With the help of the local residents and with the help of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Swamigal’s poorvasrama father Sri Mahadeva Iyer who was staying in Thiruvanmiyur at that time, brought that Mahalingam to Besant Nagar and placed it on a sandy pedestal, at the place where the Gharbharaham of Sri Rathnagiriswarear stands today – on sacred Maha Sivarathri day, 7th March, 1970.

All important functions like Maha Sivarathri, Sarada Navarathri, Sri Rama Navami Mahotsavam, Aashada Mahotsavam, Arudra Darsanam, Annabhishekam, etc. are celebrated in a most sacred manner, strictly following the vedic injunctions and vaideeha pooja vidhanam.


References:
1.http://rathnagiriswarar.org/
2.http://greenmesg.org/temples_chennai/b/besant_nagar_rathnagiriswarar_temple.php

Sri Dharmalingeswarar Temple, Nanganallur





Moolavar - Sri Dharmalingeswarar
Amman - Sri Sarvamangalabikai
Place - Nanganallur, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Sri Dharmalingeswarar Temple is adorning the southern tip of the temples-map of Nanganallur, a flourishing calm cultural southern suburb of Chennai. The temple is at a distance of about 2 kilometers from the market area, and is very easily accessible.

This temple was known in ancient times as Dhanmisar Semponkoil, as inferred from a stone inscription found in the temple. The inscription dates this temple's existence to the sixth year of rule of the Great King Raja Raja Chola (991 A.D.).
The granite sanctum sanctorum of this temple along with the moolavar came up from an earthern mound covered with shrubs, only during late 1960s. Since then, the name and fame of the deities of this temple have grown from strength to strength and travelled to far-off regions.

The temple is undergoing steady expansion, strictly according to aagama saastras right from the day the Lord Dhanmisar revealed Himself in this place - thanks to the devotees who have been regularly contributing small amounts for the improvement and upkeep of the temple, in the absence of any major property or resources or endowments or big-donations. Perhaps, the Lord here is in constant communion more with the ordinary devotees and blessing them, rather than a chosen few! Recently, a new 3-tier East Rajagopuram was constructed, and kumbhabhishekham (the third during this century), was performed on 10th September, 2000. Another new 5-tier Rajagopuram was constructed at the Southern Entrance, and kumbhabhishekham (the first during 21st century), was performed on 4th September, 2009. A new Yagasalai Mantapam has been constructed on the Northern Prakaram. A new Chariot has also been made to facilitate the Tiru-Veedhi-Ula of Utsava Moorthies on prescribed days.

References:
1.http://www.sridharmalingeswararkoil.in/

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Sri Chandramouleeswarar Temple, Medavakkam








Moolavar - Sri Chandramouleeswarar
Amman - Sri Kamatchi Amman
Place - Medavakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu   

A beautiful small temple tugged in the midst of the residential area of Medavakkam. The temple apparently had Sri Kamatchi Amman for over 50 years and recently Sri Chandramouleshwarar has been brought in from other location.

It has all the goshta vigrahams and also it’s got separate Sannidhi for navagraham. Very simple n beautiful temple.

Address:Chandra Mouleeswarar Temple,Second Main Rd,Munusamy Nagar, Vimala Nagar, Medavakkam,Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600100     

Sri Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Vengaivasal









Moolavar - Sri Swarnapureeswarar
Amman - Sri Mangalambigai
Place - Vengaivasal, Chennai, Tamilnadu

A beautiful temple located in the middle of the residential area of Vengaivasal at Bhajanai Kovil Street.

It seems that few decades ago while excavating the land for building a house a localite found the Sivalingam and decided to build a temple. Later they have found the Nandhi while clearing the tank and you can still see the old Nandhi. Though they have newer Nandhi installed.

The initial thought was to name this Vengaeshwarar but later decided to call it Swarnapureeswarar.

There is a 5 headed snake being carved on the sivalingam which can be seen while doing abhishekam.It is said that this sivalingam is of the same period as the Dhenupriswarar and the rest of the goshta murthies are fairly new.

The interesting fact is that when pure cow’s milk is used for the abhishekam on the sivalingam it turns blue in colour and we were lucky to witness the same today.

You can connect with the Gurukkal at 7358337055. His name is Sriram.


Address: Sornapureeswarar Temple, Noothencheri, Vengaivasal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600126

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Nemilichery













Moolavar - Sri Agathiswarar
Amman - Sri Aanadavalli ambal
Place - Nemilichery, Chrompet, Chennai, Tamilnadu

A good 1000 year old temple in midst of the developing residential area of Chrompet.

The moolavar has been worshiped by sage Agasthiar and hence the name Agasthiswarar. The interiors of the temple is very old and you can see the fish symbol on the roof which is significance the ancinentness of this place.
A separate Sannidhi for sage Agasthiar here. A rare sight of bairavar along with suryan and Chandiran can be seen in this temple.

It is belived that those who have sugar complaints get rid of their problems by visiting and praying to lord Agasthiswarar.

References:
1. https://www.columbuslost.com/temples/Sri-Agasteeswar-Temple-Nemilicherry-Chrompet-Chennai/info

Sri Thirunavaleeshwarar Temple, Navalur









Moolavar - Sri Thirunavaleeshwarar
Amman - Sri Akhilandeswari
Place - Navalur, Chennai, Tamilnadu


The Siva lingam and Nandhikeshwarar vigraham is around 1000 plus years and structure around is fairly new. As per the priest around 10 to 15 years old. The theppa Kulam or the pond seems to have around 11 wells. The Sanskrit name for the lord is Sri Jambukeshwarar.

As per the advise of MahaPeriyava, the temple was built by few local people. The place is called Navalur because of this temple. Subsequently Akilandeswari Amman sannidhi, Vinayagar & Murugar Shrines were added. Recently Ayyapan Shrine in typical Kerala style was built. There is also a huge pond in front of Shivan sannidhi. Prodhosham is celebrated in a big way here.

There is a separate Sannidhi for Sri Lakshmi Narayanan

Address : Thirunavaleeswarar Kovil,Old Mahabalipuram Rd, Navallur, Tamil Nadu 603103