24th March 2019.
After completing the dharshan of Sri Kandaswamy at Kosapet, on 24th November 2019, Mr Manoj took me to this Shiva Temple at Ayanavaram. This 200 and odd years old Shiva temple, is one of the 400 and odd heritage structures and temples listed by the Padmanabhan Committee and the same was notified by the High Court of Madras. The Temple is very close to Medavakkam tank Road. Initially the Temple had a vast area of land and major portion was taken over/ encroached by the Govt. for constructing the Bus Depot, Annai Sathya Nagar and other residential colonies.
Iraivan : Sri Kasi Viswanatha Swamy
Iraivi : Sri Visalakshi
The salient features of this temple are…..
The Temple is facing east with a mottai goupram built with brick and mortar. The palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Mottai gopuram Entrance.
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai are in the koshtam. Moolavar is swayambu brought from Kasi. In the Arthamandapam Bairavar, Veerabathirar, Sapthamathars Nalvar, Urchavars, Natarajar with Manikavasakar and Anjaneyar. Ambal shrine is in the mandapam facing south with a separate Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Ambal’s Simha Vahana on the south side of the prakaram.
The temple was built by the Gujarathi family and some of the details are… The Tawkers, a clan of Gujarathi origin had migrated to Trichy in 1700s. So they added T ( Trichy ) in their initials, thereby establishing the connection with the historic Town Trichy. Mr. T R Tawker one from the Gujarathi family moved to Madras and started his business on Mount Road ( Office was designed by Henry Irwin, a famous British designer in those days). This firm became insolvent in 1920s. One Mr Viswanatha Tawker was also belongs to the collateral branch of the firm and had some contributions to this temple is inscribed on a tablet installed at the entrance. However Two women of the Tawker family namely Ramkor Bai and Ratna Bai, the sisters are responsible for construction of this temple. They were wealthy enough and lent money to East India Company for their cloth trade.
The Construction of this temple was started in 1804 AD and Completed in 1807 AD. They brought 2 Shiva Lingas from Kasi, of which one was installed in a small shrine at a choultry Motta Utra, a congregational center for the Khedawal Community of Gujaratis in Madras on Mint street opposite to Sri Ekambareswarar Temple. The Second one was installed in this temple. A Tank was also excavated across the road (probably Medavakkam Tank Road ). They constructed Shops and single story houses with madras terrace & mangalore tiles around the temple. The income from these properties was utilized for conducting regular poojas and celebrations. They also established a Choultry, which served as Guest house and now used as an accommodation for Students. The Gujarathi Sisters desire of constructing a Vishnu Temple was not fulfilled.
The Construction of this temple was started in 1804 AD and Completed in 1807 AD. They brought 2 Shiva Lingas from Kasi, of which one was installed in a small shrine at a choultry Motta Utra, a congregational center for the Khedawal Community of Gujaratis in Madras on Mint street opposite to Sri Ekambareswarar Temple. The Second one was installed in this temple. A Tank was also excavated across the road (probably Medavakkam Tank Road ). They constructed Shops and single story houses with madras terrace & mangalore tiles around the temple. The income from these properties was utilized for conducting regular poojas and celebrations. They also established a Choultry, which served as Guest house and now used as an accommodation for Students. The Gujarathi Sisters desire of constructing a Vishnu Temple was not fulfilled.
The Tawker line that built the temple died out over time and the administration was passed on to the Dagat family and then it came in the hands of the present Daveys. The principal money loaned by the Tawker family Sisters Ramkor Bai and Ratna bai, to the East India Company was never returned till independence and only interest was paid. After independence the payment of interest was also stopped. Daveys, who took the administration of this temple filed a suit in Madras high Court and won the case. The principle amount was returned to the temple after calculating the exchange rate for the pagoda vs the rupee. Now the temple administration is being managed by the Mr. T R Subbaraya Davey.
Apart from the regular poojas, a 10 day bramorchavam will be conducted during April month, every year. On 9th night Lord Shiva with Parvathy are taken in procession on a silver Rishabam. To witness this function the Gujarathi families assemble at the temple from various parts of the Country. The Umbrellas taken in a procession, meant for the Thirupathi Thirumala Bramorchavam, which started from Madras Chennakesava Perumal temple used to stay in this temple for one night before their onward journey.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 11 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
HOW TO REACH:
The temple is about 200 meters from Ayanavaram bus terminus
About 2 KM from Perambur Railway station and 2 KM from Perambur Carriage works.
LOCATION:CLICK HERE
Ambal Sannadhi gopuram
ASamtha mathars
Veerabhathirar
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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