Monday 3 June 2013

Siddhar Srimath Chidambara Periya Swamigal / வேளச்சேரி மகான் ஶ்ரீ சிதம்பர பெரிய சுவாமிகள் , Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 2, June 2013
This week’s  visit was to  Srimath Chidambara Periya Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi at Velachery on 02-06-2013.  There are lot of Jeeva Samadhis in Chennai. Srimath Chidambara Periya Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi is  between western side IIT Gate and Gandhi road. The entrance is from west and jeeva Samadhi is facing  east.

Some of the important features of Srimath Chidambara Periya Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi are as follows.

Srimath Chidambara Periya Swamigal  is from a village Ariyambakkam near Trichy. Born to Muniyappan and Periyanayagi.

About 200 years before he was instrumental for the reconstruction of  Dhandeeswaram Shiva Temple  as per the order of Sri Karunambigai in the form of a old lady.

Srimath Chidambara Periya Swamigal  had done many miracles in his life time.

During construction, for the daily wage, the vibhuti turned to money to the workers.

Swamiji    visited the regular house for food, where the lady had lied that food was not ready.  When she opened the pot to feed  her children she found the pot was empty. When Swamiji told her to open once again  and she found the pot was full of food.

Swamiji also cured the stomach pain of Arcot Nawab.

The original Samadhi was built with stone structure and latter small sannadis were added around jeeva Samadhi. There two more jeeva samadhis for his disciples  Lakshmi ammal and Ambalavana swamigal.

In The prakaram sannadhi for  Panchamuga Sarveswarar with Thayar Yogeswari,  Sri Kamakshi Amman, Dakshinamurthy, Pranava moorthy Vinayagar ( Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma),  Anjenear,  Naalvar, Kubera Perumal,  Siddhas,  Sarabeswarar, Muthukumarasamy, Navagrahas,  Six Aathara sakthis ( Aathi Sakthi, Saraswathi, Lakshmi, Durgai with two faces, Annapoorani  and Parasakthi ), Kubera Perumal,
   
The Rajagopuram was built during 2010.

There is also another Srimath  Chidambara Periya Swamigal siddhar peedam with Vinayagar temple on the 100 feet by-pass road near Sangeetha Hotel.

Swamiji attained samadhi on 14-12-1858, which was confirmed by the then British Doctors. Guru pooja is celebrated on this day of every year..

Swamiji’s moola manthiram is : “ See the Shiva roopam which is beyond thinking “. Regular annadham is served on Pournami and Thursdays. The temple is being managed by Mr C S Selvamani, one of Swamiji's disciples.

LOCATION OF THE JEEVA SAMADHI :  CLICK HERE
                                      
 The Selva Vinayagar Temple with Srimath  Chidambara Periya Swamigal Siddhar Peedam on the 100 feet by pass road.
 Sri-la-sri Chidambara Periya Swamigal  Jeeva Samadhi 
 The Six Aathara Sakthikal.
 The Rajagopuram on the west side

For more details please click the link http://velacherymahan.com/
Mahashivratri 2016 : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thursday 9 May 2013

Navagraha Temples of Chennai / நவகிரக கோயில்கள், Tamil Nadu.

 08, May 2013
On 19th May 2013 had been to some of the Navagraha temple in Thondai Nadu on the way to Kundrathur from Porur.  The details of the temples will be added soon and the photos taken after dharshan are up loaded.


This time also I had been to Navagraha temples through my son’s Bullet motor cycle. The total distance covered was around 50 KM. Except summer heat under the scorching sun nothing stopped me.  Kundrathur Murugan  gave me the breakfast of Sakkarai Pongal & Panchamirtham and  Mangadu Shiva Velleeswarar gave me Curd rice ( Hot ) as Lunch. It was a wonderful journey.  As usual I had  made this trip alone. I do not know my friends frequencies are not matching with mine and my interest is different from others.
   
Thanks to Lord Shiva for his blessings to the safe  and wonderful visit to the following temples.

SRI RAMANAADHESWARAR TEMPLE, PORUR.

 Sri Valli devasena Subramaniyar sannadhi )

Moolavar    : Sri Ramanaadheswarar
Consort      : Sri Sivakama Sundari

Some of the features of this temple are as follows..
This is a Guru sthalam. The temple is facing east with a recently built 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and nandhi are in the mandapa. Moolavar vimanam is of gajabirustam type. Moolavar is little large. In koshtam moortham for Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate temple facing south in standing posture.
In the outer prakaram sannadhi for  Sandhana Vijaya Ganapathi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Kaala Bhairava, Ambal Temple, Navagrahas with their vahanas.

In Maha mandapam stucco images of Kedarnath,  Mallikarjun, Kashi Vishwanath,  Bhimashankar Pooranar, Thiryambakeswarar, Vedanath Poorvi, Rameswarar, Kailangirinathar, Somnath, Nageswarar, Gukeswarar, Yamuleswarar, Omkareshwar, Mahakaleshwar and Vishnu’s Avatars images. 12 Rasi bas- Reliefs on the center ceiling.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The temple contacted through the land line 044 24829955

HOW TO REACH :
On Porur to Kundrathur bus route  500 meters on left side from  Electrical substation.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  CLICK HERE

 ( Navagraha Temple in Thondai Nadu on the south side of Chennai details with map )
( Moolavar vimanam with Chandikeswarar sannadhi )
 ( Maha mandapam of the temple with lot of stucco images )
 ( Amman sannadhi  with new un covered dwajasthambam )
 ( Sculpture of  Elephant and Cow - Vrishabha Kunjara, at the entrance of Rajagopuram under construction )
 ( Sculpture of Kamadhenu  in progress )
( The 7 tier Rajagopuram under construction ) 

SRI NEELAKANDESWARAR TEMPLE, GERUGAMBAKKAM


Moolavar    : Sri Neelakandeswarar
Consort      : Sri Adhi Kamakshi

Some of the features of this temple are..
This is a Kethu sthalam. There is no Dwajasthambam and Rajagopuram. ( There was a lot of change compared to my earlier visit. Outer compound was constructed through donation  and daily poojas are  conducted ). There is no moortham in the koshtam. Moortham of Vinayagar and Bhairavar are in artha mandapam.

There is only outer prakaram and there is no vimanam on the sanctum sanctorum for both moolavar and Ambal. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi in standing posture. The entrance to the shrine is from south and temple is facing east.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Naagar and Navagrahas.

HOW TO REACH :
About 5 KM from Porur junction and the place is Gerugambakkam. The temple is about a km off the main road on the left side.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The temple can be contacted through  24780124 & 9677155245 ( The same number is given for the Somangalam and Kovur Shiva temples, may be the same Sivachariyar ).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 ( Rishabam and balipeedam at the east side )

( South side entrance stucco images are under construction ) 

SRI SUNDARESWARAR TEMPLE, KOVUR

 ( Temple Complex view - Mollavar vimanam is of Gajabirushtam type ) 

Moolavar    : Sri Thirumeneeswarar, Sri Sundareswarar
Consort     : Sri Thiruvudai Nayagi ,  Sri Soundrambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are….
This is the Budhan sthalam. The rajagopuram is of 7 tiers facing south. The entrance of each tier is of madam construction. The dwajasthambam and balipeedam with nandhi are on east side in outer prakaram.The entrance to the main shrine is from south. Moolavar vimanam is of gajabirushta type. In koshtam, Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and  Durgai.

In artha mandapam moorthams of Naagarkal, Kandarkas with dwarapalakas, on both side. In the inner prakarm sannadhi for Naalvar, Kalikambal, Veerabhadra, Somaskandar, Sukravara amman, Muthumariamman, Ponni amman,  Vinayagar, Chandrasekar, Chandikeswarar, Karunakara Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Subramaniyar, 63var,  Thogai Adiyargal, Sekkizhar, Bairavar, Suryan  and Natarajar.

In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Nethra Vinayagar, Varasiddhi Vinayagar, Subramaniyar.

HOW TO REACH :
The place is on the bus route from Porur to Kundrathur and the temple is about 500 meters off the main road on right side.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The temple can be contacted through  24780124 & 9677155245 ( The same number is given for the Somangalam and Kovur Shiva temples, may be the same Sivachariyar

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE


 ( Temple complex view with Dwajasthambam ) 
 Gajabirushtam type moolavar vimanam ) 
 ( 7 Tier Rajagopuram - madam type of the each tier entrance )
 ( The Rajagopuram view from distance- You might have seen in some of the movies )
( The present condition / status of the Temple Car / Chariot ) 

NAGESWARAR TEMPLE, KUNDRATHUR

( Moolavar vimanam )  

Moolavar    : Sri Nageswara swamy
Consort      : Sri Kamakshi Amman.

Some the important features of this temple are….
This is the Rahu stalam. The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers and the temple is facing east. Temple Tank is on the left side of temple entrance  and the Neerazhi mandapam is under construction. Nandhi with balipeedam are at the entrance in the outer prakaram. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,  Maha Vishnu,  Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner prakaram Sekkizhar, Suryan, Sundarar with Paravai Nachiyar, Naalvar,  Nageswarar,  Kalinga Narthana Krishnan, Somaskandar, Kasi Viswanathar, Arunachaleswarar,  Lakshmi, Saraswathy,  Veerabagu, Chandrasekar, Urchava Moorthangal, Natarajar Saba and   Bhairavar.

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi and in standing posture. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Karpaga Vinayagar, Sekkizhar,  Navagrahas and Saneeswarar.

Tamil inscriptions are found on the out side of Sanctum sanctorum wall. There is a separate temple for Sekkizhar on the way to Kundrathur Murugan Temple. There are lot of inscriptions on the walls of prakaram.

HOW TO REACH :
Town buses are available from various parts of the city through Porur and Iyyappanthangal.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The temple contacted over phone  2478 0436.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Entrance view 
 Another view of the entrance 
 The 5 tier Rajagopuram 
Neerazhi mandapam under construction
 
KUNDRATHUR SEKKIZHAR TEMPLE

 ( Sekkizhar mandapam near the temple )

 Sekkizhar temple vimanam 
Entrance of Sekkizhar temple 

SRI VELLEESWARAR TEMPLE, MANGADU

 ( Moolavar Vimanam with Dakshinamurthy sannadhi )

Moolavar : Sri Velleeswarar

Some of the important features of this temple are ….
Moolavar is little large. Dwajasthambam  is under preparation with teak wood.  In koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy,  Lingothbavar ( Brahma and Vishnu are on both sides in sitting posture ). In the artha mandapam sannadhi for  Maangani Vinayagar ( Holding Mango fruit on the left hand ),  Sri Subramaniar,  Naalvar,  Urchava Moorthangal, Natarajar saba, Bhairavar and   Suryan.

In the outer prakaram  Sannadhi for Kasi Viswanathar, & Visalakshi,  Siddhi Vinayagar,  Veerabhadra,  Sri Valli Devasena sametha Subramaniar,  Kaala samhara moorthy & Balambigai and Navagrahas.

There is no sannadhi for Ambal since at Mangadu  Sri Kamakshi is in thabas on fire.   There a separate temple about a KM for Ambal as Sri Kamakshi ). Ambal’s patham is  near nandhi with a protective enclosure. It was believed that Ambal had done Dhabas on fire in this place.

The temple  was built during 10th to 11th century by bricks by Pallavas and latter reconstructed with stone structure.

HOW TO REACH :
4 KM from Kundrathur.
Town buses are available from Porur, Iyyappanthangal etc..
CONTACT DETAILS :

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 ( Lingothbavar , Vishnu and Brahma on both side in sitting posture )
 ( Moolavar vimanam with Chandikeswarar Sannadhi )
 ( Nandi Mandapam on the east side )
( Amman Patham - Believed that Sri Kamakshi Amman had done her Thabas in this place )

SRI KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE,  MANGADU.

 ( Amman sannadhi Vimanam  - on the right small vimanam visible is  for the Thabas Kamakshi  sannadhi ) 

Moolavar    : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the important features of this temple are ….
Ambal is in standing posture and facing east. Moortham of Ambal in Dhabas on fire, posture in artha mandapam. Sannidhi for Vinayagar, Urchava Murtis and Navakannigaikas.

It is believed that after dhabas Ambal has left to Kailash, but the heat was not reduced. Sri Sankarachariyar has installed a enthiram to reduce the heat.

The Rajagopurams  are in east and south side.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION
The Sadayavaraman Sundara Pandian's period ( 1256 CE ) inscription on the floor stone of Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple refers a Jain School "Mangattu Thiruvaraanthaanam", existed in this place. 

The inscription stone at Alandur Sri Siva Subramaniyar Temple belongs to a Jain School called "Thiruvaraanthanam - திருவராந்தானம்existed during Kamba varman ( 875 AD) 5th year ( Chithirai month ) period. அருகன்தானம் ( அருஹத்ஸ்தானம் ), this word might have got corrupted to அராந்தானம். This word was mentioned as Araanthanam in Manimegalai ( 3:82, 5:23 ) and in Perungathai as அரா அந்தானம் ( 2:2:138, 2:6:161, 5:4:151). திரு was added with அராந்தானம், and became as thiruvaraawthaanam-திருவராந்தானம் The  Arcot section ( kootram ) Paripandathurai Parisai, Village Headman’s daughter and the Jain’s school Teacher Ananda Veera Kuravar’s Student by name “ku..Adigal - கு... அடிகள்" ( குரத்தி அடிகள் ) donated 60 kaadi ( Kalam -கலம் ), one kuruni and 3 nazhi paddy  for the AviHavis Padayal ( may be naivedyam ) called Avihavis - ( அவி(ஹவிஸ் )) and a plate weighing 30 palam. The  further details of the endowment is not known since, the last lines are worned out completely. 

The Arcot cootram mentioned in the inscription refers the place called Arcot near Kandiyur of Thanjavur District. This was recorded in the Thirupazhanam inscription as "Arcot Kootrathu ParivaNdathurai Parisai ..". The same place is mentioned in the Alandur inscription. This inscription seems to be special since it mentions a Lady who belongs to Thanjavur area, educated in Pallava Region and gave donation.  

How and when this 9th Century inscription stone came here is not known. At the end of British period many temples in and around Chennai were constructed using other temple stones, for example, Thirisoolam / Tirusulam temple's stones are used in Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple. This might have happened for this temple also. The inscription at Alandur Sri Siva subramaniya Swamy was identified by Mr K Sridharan and Mr Ramachandran, from Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department. 

HOW TO REACH :
4 KM from Kundrathur.
Town buses available from Porur, Iyyappanthangal etc..
CONTACT DETAILS :

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE


( South side Rajagopuram )

SRI MURUGAN TEMPLE, KUNDRATHUR 


Moolavar    : Sri Murugan
Consorts    : Sri Valli and Devasena

Some of the important features of this temple are…
The temple is on a small hill with 75 stone steps. Facility is available to drive up to hill top. Vazhum Chuzhi Vinayagar sannadhi is on the right side of the  steps. There is no moortham in the artha mandapam.

Sannadhi for Vinayagar and a Shiva Lingam on the right side of the maha mandapam. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Nagars, Dakshinamurthy, Durgai amman, Vilva Vinayagar.

The entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is small, such that we may be able to have a dharshan of either Sri Murugan with Valli or Sri Murugan with Deivanai.

By looking at the beauty of this place Sri Murugan sat here for a while while proceeding to Thiruthani.
  
HOW TO REACH :
Town buses are available from various parts of the city through Porur and Iyyappanthangal.
CONTACT DETAILS :

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :  CLICK HERE

 ( Half way on the steps - Total 75 steps ) 
( Entrance arch of the temple  and Main Rajagopuram is on the back )
( Back side of the moolavar Vimanam with Dakshinamurthy Sannadhi ) 
 ( An uninstalled  sculpture at the foot hill arch ) 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA : ---

Monday 29 April 2013

Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar Temple at Koovam, Sri Deivanatheeswarar Temple at Elumiyankottur, Sri Jalantheeswarar Temple at Thakkolam, Sri Vaitheeswarar Temple at Poonamallee, Sri Singeeswarar Temple at Mappedu and Soleeswarar temple at Perambakkam, Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu - Paadal Petra Sthalangal of Thondai Nadu.

 29, April 2013
It was little uneasy to  me  when the Sunday approaches. Also I had planned to carry out some domestic work on Sunday. Since my wife agreed to follow up with the contractor,  planned to visit some of the Shiva Temples.  In this visit I want to test my self and my bullet bike, (which I transferred to my son.)  Prepared the list of temples  from Poonamallee to  Thakkolam.  Even though I had been  to these temples already, thought of making it once again.

Filled petrol for 4oo rupees and checked the air in the Tyre after Porur, reached first to POONAMALLEE Sri Vaitheeswaran Temple.  There was no crowd at 07.00 Hrs and the archakars were preparing for the abhishekam. Had the dharshan and proceeded to MAPPEDU.  In this temple also Archakar was called from his house and opened the main shrine. From there I went to KOOVAM and had a peaceful dharshan.  My next visit  was Elumiyankottur. On the way I had been to NARASINGAPURAM  Perumal temple.  Luckily the archakar’s residence is in  the temple premises  at ELUMIYANKOTTUR and he opened the temple  (disturbed him from his morning sleep after breakfast around 11.00 Hrs ). During my last visit I had seen some of the students were practicing the vedas. But this time nobody was there in the temple premises. The road between Koovam and Elumiyankottur was really tough also there was no traffic on this village route.  On the way to Thakkolam purchased vegetables from the roadside vendor. ( Purchased brinjal, Ladies finger each Rs 10 for ½ Kg. and drum stick 6 nos at a cost of Rs 10/- ). It was around 11.30 Hrs when I reached THAKKOLAM and the temperature was too hot. After darshan returned to Chennai through PERAMBAKKAM.  The temple at Perambakkam was closed and the side gate was found opened. Along with a local devotee went round the prakaram.

When I reached Chennai  around 13.45 Hrs, I was completely exhausted, since I had skipped my breakfast and temperature was too high. The total distance I traveled was 133 Km and my bike didn’t gave any trouble.  Lord Shiva was with me throughout my travel and Thanks Lord.

I am splitting this post in to Two, one is for the Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams in THONDAI NADU and other for the  rest of the temples.

PAADAL PETRA SHIVA STHALAMS – THONDAI NADU

14. SRI THIRIPURANTHAKESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVIRKOLAM / KOOVAM.


Now this place is called as Koovam. This is the 14th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Gajabirushta Vimanam

Moolavar    : Sri Thiripuranthaswamy, Sri Thiruvirkolanathar
Consort      : Sri Thiripura Sundarai, Sri Thiripuranthagi

Some of the important features of this temple are…
The 5 tier Rajagopuram is on the south side, constructed during recent years. The temple is facing east with sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. Moolavar is of sand under rudraksha mandapam and theenda thirumeni. Abhishekam is done only for avudayar. Moolavar vimanam is of Gajabirustam type. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Sannadhi for Ganapathy and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar at the entrance of Rajagopuram. 

The Ambal is in a separate temple at the entrance of Rajagopuram. There are two Dwajasthambam, one is in front  Shiva  Temple and other in front of Ambal ( Simha vahanam in front of Ambal instead of Nandhi ) Temple. Natarajar Saba is in a separate sannadhi and the dance is called as rasha Nadanam.

In the prakaram Brihadeeswarar, Achirutha Vinayagar, Shanmuganathar, Balasubramaniar, Chokkanathar with Meenakshi, Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar with out dog and Navagrahas.

In old days the moolavar colour used to change depending on the natural calamities like flood, war etc.

CONTACT DETAILS :
For more details Mr Balasubramanian of Nalvar Iraipani Mandram may be contacted on his mobile 9444808886.

HOW TO REACH : 
Bus frequency is unpredictable. Hence, get down at Koovam junction on the way to Poonamallee to Thakkolam / Arakkonam route from there 1 KM.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE 

5 Tier Rajagopuram
 Ambal Sannadhi
 Raja Gopuram with Ambal Sannadhi Entrance
Urchava Moorthangal 
 Urchava Moortham - Chandrasekar 
It is not the National High way - The state highway between Poonamallee & Thakkolam  - forest on both sides. 
 Another stretch of highway with banyan trees on both side looks cool to pass through


13. SRI DEIVANATHESWARAR TEMPLE / SRI ARAMBESWARAR SWAMY TEMPLE. ILAMBAIYANKOTTUR.  


Now this place is called as elemian Kottoor or Elumiyankottur. This is the 13th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 
 Dwajasthambam with front mandapam

Moolavar    : Sri Arambeswarar Swamy, Sri Deivanayakeswarar,
    Sri Chandrasekarar
Consort      : Sri Kanaga Kujambigai, Sri Kodenthu Mulaiammai.

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east and there is no Rajagopuram, only entrance from west.

The Dwajasthambam is standing separately without kavasam. Nandhi and Balipeedam are at the ground level under a small mandapam. Moolavar is Theenda Thirumeni and covered completely with Nagabaranam. Through vibhuti hole the red colour of the moolavar is visible. In koshtam Nirutha Ganapathy, Yoga Dakshinamurthy ( Right hand on the left chest – a rare moortham ), Maha Vishnu ( in place of Lingothbavar ) Brahma and Durgai.

There are two Ambal sannidhi one is in the inner prakaram and other is outer prakaram. In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Ambal ( Kanaga Kujambigai ), Suryan and Chandran.  In the Outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar and Subramaniyar.

CONTACT DETAILS 
Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile  9600043000 and 9444865714. 

HOW TO REACH : 
From Koovam Elumiyankottur is 5 KM via Narasingapuram. Route is little tough and there is no proper road.
Auto is available from Perambakkam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

 Front mandapam
 Rishabam with balipeedam
 Un installed damaged statutes


12. SRI JANANTHEESWARAR / JALANATHEESWARAR TEMPLE. THIRUVOORAL  


Now this place is called as Thakkolam. This is the 12th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

Three tier Rajagopuram of west side 

Moolavar    :Sri Jalanatheeswarar / Sri Jalantheeswarar
Consort      :Sri ThirirajaKannigambal.

Some of the important features of this temple are …..
The Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers on the west side and the temple is facing east. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. Moolavar is of sand ( prithvi ) Theenda Thirumeni. Abhishekam is not done to moolavar.

In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu  ( in place of Lingothbavar ), Brahma and Durgai ( In standing like Kannan playing flute ). Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu and Brahma are in sitting posture very rare to see.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Saptamatrikas, Nalvar, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Ganapathy, Ganapathy with 10 hands ( One hand found broken), Bhairavar, Mahavishnu, Suryan and Chandran.

The main entrance to maha mandapam is from south side and Sannadhi are for Natarajar Saba, Navagrahas, Dharma Sastha and Subramaniyar.  In outer prakaram Subramaniar Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, Nandhi and Ambal Sannadhi. 

Stucco images of Lord Shiva kicking Yaman for Markandeyar is worth to see.

LEGENDS: 
The place is called as Thakkolam, because, Thakkan cried ( oolam -ஓலம்  ) by sensing the end of his life.

HOW TO REACH 
Direct bus is available from Poonamallee bus stand.
Arakkonam bus from Chennai passes through Thakkolam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 


 Maha Vishnu in sitting posture - in place of Lingothbavar - Right hand abhaya hastham and left hand on his thigh.
 Vinayagar one hand was damaged - with sidhi on his left side
 Brahma  also in sitting posture beautiful to look
Vishnu  Durgai - watch the standing posture - like kannan  playing flute
 Un-installed damaged statues
 Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Nandhi - granite stone window to see moolavar
 Front entrance of Main shrine
 Entrance of Ambal sannidhi

SHIVA & VISHNU TEMPLES BETWEEN POONAMALLEE & THAKKOLAM 

SRI VAITHEESWARAN TEMPLE - POONAMALLEE

Moolavar    :  Sri Vaidheeswarar
Consort      :  Sri Thaiyal Nayagi

Some of the important Features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east and Sun worships Lord Shiva during Tamil Masi Month ( dates  21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.). The temple tank is in front. The Rajagopuram  is on north side and there is a Shiva Lingam at the entrance near compound wall. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are at the entrance of Maha mandapam. In koshtam Narthana Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu in place of  Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner Navagrahas, Urchavars, Veeran, Ganapathy, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Kumbeswarar, Kailasanathar, Annapoorani, Mahalingeswarar, Adhisankarar installed Srichakram, Shiva Chakkaram and Shanmuga Chakkaram, Subramaniyar, Mahalakshmi. Natarajar Saba, Bhairavar, Naalvar, Chandran and  Suriyan.

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi. In the outer prakaram has only Ko-sala.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The Contact Phone number is 044 26491444. 

HOW TO REACH :
The  temple is .5 Km off from main road before bus stand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :  CLICK HERE

 View of temple complex from the north side Rajagopuram
 Dwajasthambam with maha mandapam
 East side 3 tier mini Rajagopuram
 Bas-reliefs on the entrance wall of Rajagopuram

 North side Rajagopuram

SRI PUSHPAKUJAMBIGAI SAMEDHA SRI SINGEESWARAR TEMPLE – MAPPEDU

The Place Mappedu was originally called as Meipedu.


Moolavar    : Sri Singeeswarar
Consort      : Sri Pushpakujambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are…
The 5 tier Rajagopuram is on the south side and the temple is facing east. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam  are on the east side entrance of main shrine but the entry to the sanctum is from south side. In koshtam Rudhra Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy ( Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar), Brahma and  Vishnu Durgai.

There is a Dakshinamurthy moortham on the left side of the Rajagopuram entrance. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Aasthana Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Adhikesava Perumal, Veerapaleeswarar, Bhairavar, Veena Anjaneyar ( A veena is on the hands ) and Suryan. Natarajar Saba is in Maha mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. On moolavar vimanam, stucco image of Shiva’s Narthanam, Gajasamkara moorthy, Veena Dakshinamurthy, Pichadanar, Naalvar, Kannappar, Egapadamurthy, on the east side Shiva and Parvati on the Rishaba Vahanam are worth to see. 

HISTORY 
It was believed that the temple was constructed during Chozha King Aditya Karikalan (AD 967).

LEGENDS
Why Shiva is called as Singeeswarar - refer my latest post on Tripurantaka lecture by Chitra Madhavan ....CLICK HERE

CONTACT DETAILS :
Sivachariyar Sridhar Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile 9444943644 and 94443225093.

HOW TO REACH :
The Mappedu is on the bus route Poonamallee to Thakkolam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :  CLICK HERE

 East side view of temple complex
 Dwajasthambam with balipeedam and Rishabam

 Entrance to the main shrine
 5 tier Rajagopuram
 Moolavar Vimanam
Stucco images on the moolavar vimanam 
Bas reliefs at the entrance of Rajagopuram - The lengthy one with Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma with their vahanas. 


SRI MARAGATHAVALLI SAMETHA SRI LAKSHMI NARASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE - NARASINGAPURAM

The Village is named after the Lord of this temple. 

Moolavar    : Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
Consort      : Sri Maragatha valli.

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers and the temple is facing east. Lot of cows are in front of Rajagopuram. Moolavar is Narasimhar (one of the avatar of Lord Vishnu ) in sitting posture and Sri Lakshmi on his left thigh. In the maha mandapam Alwar’s thirumenikal. At the entrance of Rajagopuram Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar.

Thayar is in a separate temple/ sannadhi facing east in standing posture. There is also a separate temple/ sannidhi for Aandal. In prakaram Moortham of Ashta Lakshmis constructed separately.

HOW TO REACH :
2 KM before Perambakkam on Poonamallee to Thakkolam / Arakkonam bus route.
Mid way between Koovam to Elumiyankottur and 2 KM from Koovam after colony. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Moolavar Vimanam

 Main entrance
5 tier Rajagopuram 

SRI KAMAKSHI SAMEDHA SRI SOLEESWARAR TEMPLE - PERAMBAKKAM
This place was called as perumbakkam and latter corrupted to the present name of Perambakkam.

Moolavar    : Sri Soleeswarar
Consort      : Sri Kamakshi Ambal.

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch on the south side. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are on the east side. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal sannidhi is in maha mandapam. In outer prakaram, sannadhi for Sakthi Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar, Sri Subramaniar, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Suryan, Chandran, Iyappan and Pradhosha Lingam.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. An ekathala  vesara vimana is on the sanctum. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
There are about 14 inscriptions in this temple. As per the inscriptions the temple was built during 12th Century, Kulothunga Chozha –I period and the Lord Shiva was called as Kulothunga Chozheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar and now called as Soleeswarar.  The temple also had the contributions from Vijayanagar Dynasty.

HOW TO REACH : 
Perambakkam is about 33 KM from Chennai on Poonamallee to Arakkonam route and 5 KM before Thakkolam. ( The Place is not on the main road )

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 South side entrance
 Dwajasthambam with balipeedam and Rishabam - No entrance from east side
 Moolavar Vimanam
 Dakshinamurthy
Brahma in Koshtam 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---