Sri Sathyanatheswarar Swamy Temple, Tiruneri Karaikadu, Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Sathyanatheswarar Swamy

Amman: Sri Biramaraambigai

A good 1500 years old temple and a padal petra sthalam. Saint Tirugnanasambandar has praised the temple in his Thevaram hymns. This the 5th shrine in Thondaimandalam region praised in Thevaram.

The history goes like this- Indira, the king of Devas had a boon to take to any form. His eyes fell on Akalya, wife of Maharshi Gautama. He took the form of a cock and cried near the hermitage of the Rishi indicating the dawn of the day. Rishi set out in the belief that the day is dawn. Waiting for such a chance, Indira immediately took the form of Maharsi, entered the Ashram and behaved with Akalya as Rishi himself.

However, sensing something wrong, Maharsi Gautama returned to the Ashram and saw Indira escaping as a cat. He cursed him to have eyes throughout the body and also Akalya to become a rock.

Indira wandered in earth praying to Lord Shiva in many places seeking relief. He saw Lord Shiva among the Karai bushes in this place, worshipped Him in a touching manner and got his relief from the curse. Lord assumed the name Karai Tirunathar following this event.

Lord Satyanathaswami appears slightly pink in colour. Mother is also known as Vandar Kararkuzhali. Nandhi’s neck alone is turned towards south. There is an entrance before Nandhi. Budha-Mercury graces in the prakara with Indira nearby.

Chandra-Moon was learning under his Guru Jupiter. He developed a desire on Dhara, his Guru Patni-wife. He once conducted a Yagna dedicated to Lord Vishnu seeking His grace. Jupiter attended the Yagna with his wife Dhara as Moon’s Guru. Moon allured Dhara and made her stay with him. Budh-Mercury was born to Moon and Dhara.

Jupiter prayed to Lord Shiva and took back Dhara. Budha was brought up by Chandra-Moon. When he grew older, Budha was pained to learn the nature of his birth and took to penance. He came to this temple and begged Lord Satyanathaswami to give him a place among the planets. Lord appeared before him and assured that he would get the place at an appropriate time. Budha-Mercury is in a shrine in the prakara south of the Lord.

Lord Shiva is facing west as a swayambumurthy. As Mother Kamakshi is the common Ambica for all Shiva temples in Kancheepuram, many Shiva temples do not have a shrine for Goddess. Yet in this temple, Mother has a place in the sanctum sanctorum with Lord Shiva as procession deity facing south. Though a procession deity, all pujas performed to Lord are equally offered to Ambica. On festival days, Mother is not taken out from the sanctum in procession.

Timing:

The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Location:

Sri Sathyanatheswarar Swamy Temple, Tiruneri Karaikadu, Kanchipuram

Sri Santheeswarar Temple, Melmanambedu, Vellavedu, Thirumazhisai

 

Moolavar: Sri Santheeswarar

Amman: Sri Santha Nayagi Ambal 

A beautiful 1200 years and temple located very close to Sri Dhathreeswarar temple in Vellavedu village of Thiruvallur. The temple is facing west which is not very common for Shivan temples and you will find very few temples facing west.

The Shivalingam facing west has a a square Avudayar. And Ambal Shanthanayagi is facing South. The temple is surrounded on east as well as South by a beautiful temple tank. 

As the name itself suggests this place is very peaceful and serene and ideal for meditating and having a peaceful time.

Contact: The temple opens by 6 am and the temple contact person Sri Sridhar can be reached on 9840136888

Location:

Sri Santheeswarar Temple, Melmanambedu, Vellavedu, Thirumazhisai

Sri Maasilamaneeswarar Temple, Siruseri Village, Chennai

 

A beautiful old Shivalingam facing the east along with a Nandhi is all that you can see under a makeshift shed in the middle of Siruseri. The Shivalingam and Nandhi looks pretty old and may be 500 plus years atleast or more.The Avudayar is  circular in shape signifying that it must be installed by some king. 

Though the Ambal name has been given as Oppilamulaiumai Ambal, there is no Ambal Sannidhi or murtham. You can see a beautiful temple tank right in the front of the tenple structure singnifying that there must have been a fairly large temple here many years ago. There are similar 2 other Sivan temples like this with just the sivalingam alone in this Siruseri and Thazhambur village.

From a location perspective it is straight behind Siruseri TCS office but the approach road is from Navalur.

Contact: Daily one kala pujai is performed by local person called Mahadevan 8248070277

Location:

Sri Maasilamaneeswarar Temple, Siruseri Village, Chennai

Sri Baleeswarar Temple, Dindigul

 

Very powerful, elegant Sivan facing North. History unknown, people mentioned that this has been brought from Kasi and placed it here under a small shed. 

Very neatly maintained by local people.

Unique thing to notice in this temple is , the lingam represents both Sivan and Vishnu roopam together. 

Thiru namam appears in the forehead of lingam which is unique.

Contact:

Sivanadiyar Sambaji can be reached in his mobile 9443773589. 

Daily oru kaala poojai is happening and all other auspicious days.

Location:

Sri Baleeswarar temple, Dindigul

Sri Arthanareeswarar temple, Egmore, Chennai

 

Moolavar: Sri Arthanareeswarar

Amman: Sri Tripurasudari

This temple is small east facing with out any rajagopuram or entrance arch or Dwajasthambam. The lord is also called Saptharishinadhar. Arthanareeswara is the form of shiva and Parvathi in equal parts. Here this form is represented in the form of large Lingam mounted on an Avudayar of about 3.5 feet which belong to 7th century. The original temple was destroyed before the Britishers period by the Dutch. About 2 centuries back an old man of this place found these idols while cleaning up the tank in his land. The present temple was built later. The famous saint Thirunavukkarasar has sung about this temple and refered this place as "Ezhum Oor" meaning "awakening" which become Ezhumboor and Egmore in English.

Timing: Temple remains open between 7am to 11 am and 5pm to 8pm.

Contact: Gurukkal Madan can be reached at his mobile number 9940166691

Location:

Sri Arthanareeswarar temple, Egmore, Chennai

Sri Parasuramalingeswarar Temple, Ayanavaram, Chennai

 

Moolavar: Sri Parasuramalingeswarar

Amman: Sri Parvathambigai

A beautiful temple with lots of interesting information and facts associated with it. Though the current temple structure looks fairly new it is said that presiding deity in the form of shivalingam is believed to be at least 1000 years old.. 

The moolavar is Theendaa Thirumeni, meaning the Linga banam will not be touched even by the kurukal performing daily pujas. Hence only water, tender coconut and panneer is offered in abhishekam to the lingabanam and rest of the dhravyam like milk curds etc are offered to the Avudayar which is around the linga banam. The linga banam is also very unique and square in shape rather than the usual round/cylindrical shape. This temple is a Thevara Padal Vaippu Sthalam (called as Ayaneechuram).

Not many of us would know that the current Ayanavaram was actually known as Ayanpuram in those days. The word  “Ayan” depicts Lord Bramha himself. According to Kandapuranam when Bramha could not tell the meaning for “Pranavam” or Om when lord Murugan as a kid asked him, he was put in jail by lord Muruga and then took over the duty of creation on himself. So to get back his duty of creation lord Bramha prayed to lord Shiva, came to this Kshetram of Parasuramalingeswarar and took bath in the temple tank here and hence as Ayan came here it was named Ayan Puram and as days passed by was knows as Ayanavaram. It was also referred as Bramhapuri in those days. The temple tank is named as Bramha theertham as he took a dip in this tank.

Another interesting feature of this temple is that you can see lord Murugan in BramhaSastha vigraham form. A form that depicts his portfolio of creation which he took over from lord Bramha. You can see him with Akka  malai and kamandalam in both his hands. A very beautiful vigraham and is said to be done during the 8th or 9th century and a marvellous creation of the Pallava carving artists.

Mahavishnu’s sixth incarnation Parasuramar based on his father Jamadhagni’s instruction actually cut off his own mother Renukadevi’s head and ended up as a sinner. To get rid of this sin he worships lord Shiva in this Ayan Puram kshetram and hence the moolavar here is called Parasuramalingeswarar.

Yet another feature of this tenple is the Ambal Parvathambigai’s Sannidhi. Usually you will find Ambal towards the left side of the moolavar and will be facing South. But here you can see her Sannidhi is towards the right of moolavar Sannidhi and is facing the east. This is believed to be very auspicious and it is said that she will bestow all your wishes.

Contact:

The temple contact sivanadha kurukal can be reached at 8124763613

Location:

Sri Parasuramalingeswarar Temple, Ayanavaram, Chennai