Tuesday 28 July 2020

Tiruvalleeswarar Temple / Tiruvalithayam / Thiruvalithayam, Padi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This place Thiruvalithayam, in Thevara period is now called as Padi. This is the 21st Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Since weapons for the war was stored in this temple premises, so called as Padi. Sekkizhar mentioned the visit of Thirugnanasambandar in his Periyapuranam.

    திருவேற்காடு அமர்ந்த செழுஞ்சுடர் பொன்கோயில்
    சென்று அணைந்து பணிந்து திருப்பதிகம் பாடி
    வருவேற்று  மனத்து அவுணர் புரங்கள் செற்றார்
    வலிதாயம் வந்து எய்தி வணங்கிப் போற்றி
    உருஏற்றார் அமர்ந்துறையும் ஓதவேலை
    ஒற்றியூர் கைதொழச் சென்று உற்றபோது
    பெருவேட்கை தருவாழ்வும் பெற்ற தொண்டர்
    பெரும் பதியோர் எதிர்கொள்ளப் பேணி வந்தார்
... பெரியபுராணம்
Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple.

    பத்தரோடுபல ரும்பொலியம்மலர் அங்கை புனல்தூவி
    ஒத்த சொல்லி உல கத்தவர் தாம் தொழுது ஏத்த உயர் சென்னி
    மத்தம் வைத்தபெரு மான்பிரியாது உறை கின்றவலி தாயம்
    சித்தம்வைத்தஅடி யார் அவர்மேல் அடை யாமற்று இடர்நோயே.

Moolavar  : Thiruvalleeswarar, Sri Valithaya nathar.
Consort    : Sri Jagathambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with 3 tier Rajagopuram.Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. A Gaja prishta vimana is over the sanctum. In koshtam,  Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai. Moolavar is little big in size and swayambhu on a square avudayar.

Ambal is facing south and standing on one place we could be able to have the darshan of Moolavar and Ambal.

In the inner prakaram Urchavars and Sannadhi  for Somaskandar, Vinayagar ( Vinayagar is with his two wives Kamali & Valli ). Subramaniyar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Nalvar, Hanuman worshiped lingam, Suryan, Bharadwajar Lingam, Bhairavar, Arunagirinathar, Balamurugan and 63var (Complete 63 vars are not there). In the outer prakaram Navagrahas and Guru bhagavan. 

Arunagirinathar Visited this temple and worshiped Murugan of this temple. Also  sung hymns in praise of Murugan.

    மருமல்லி யார்குழலின்                         மடமாதர்
        மருளுள்ளி நாயடிய                        னலையாமல்
    இருநல்ல வாகுமுன                              தடிபேண
        இனவல்ல மானமன                       தருளாயோ
    கருநெல்லி மேனியரி                             மருகோனே
        கனவள்ளி யார்கணவ                      முருகேசா
    திருவல்லிதாயமதி                                 லுறைவோனே
        நிகழ்வல்ல மாதவர்கள்                   பெருமாளே

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple was existed before 6-7th Century as brick temple and the same was reconstructed during Chozha period and extended during Vijayanagara period. As per the experts and Historians the idols and sculptures belongs to 12th to 13th Century Chozha Period.

The Thevaram hymns mentions this place as Thiruvalithaayam and the same was corrupted to Thiruvallithayam during Chozha Period. As per the inscriptions, this place was under Jayangoda chozha mandalathu Pauzhal Kottattu, Kundrathur Nattu (?) Thiruvallithayam. And Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvalithayamudaiya Nayanar and Thiruvallithayamudaiyar and Ambal was called as Thiruveethi Nachiyar ( AR 217 of 1910 ). The inscriptions mainly records the donations  in terms of Kasu ( money ), Land  donated made to temple towards poojas, prayers,Naivedyam and celebrations.    

The inscription ( 214 of 1910), without Kings name and period records that Chitrambalamudaya Nayanar was installed from Thiruvenkadu, for pooja Andhanars are  also brought from there and for their food a land was donated in This Thiruvalithayam which came under Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Puliyur Kottam, Sangama Chozha Valanadu. It also records that paddy to be given to them, which should be measured in Thirugnanasambandar Nazhi alias marakkal.

Rajararaja-I’s 28th year reign inscription ( 216 of 1910 ), records the construction of Kshethrapala Pillaiyar  temple and for Naivedyam a land was also gifted to this temple.

During Rajaraja-I’s period, the inscriptions ( 218 & 219 of 1910) records that Naranan Yadhavarayan of Chalukya, two houses and two nandhavanams ( flower garden ) in Chinthamanipuram, a part of Padi was gifted to this temple. Also Parameswaramangalathu Silambur kottathu Silambanithan Madhavarayan donated gold towards lighting of perpetual lamp.  

Vijayakanda Gopaladevar’s rule inscriptions ( 217 of 1910 ) records that Lady Dancers  were brought from Kanchipuram and settled them here. The inscription also records that jewelry and vessels were donated to Ambal, Thiruveethi Nachiyar.

LEGENDS
This is also one of the Guru parikara sthalam in and around Chennai. The Guru one of the Navagrahas has incurred a curse out of his lust and desire. To get rid of the Curse Maharishi Markandeya advised Guru to worship Lord Shiva of this temple.

Bhradwaja, Ramar, Anjanayer, Suryan, Chandran, Indiran as  Valiyan ( as Bird ) worshiped Lord shiva of this temple.

In another legend Bharadwaja, son of Guru bhagawan, was born to Valiyan ( sparrow – கருங்குருவி ). Bharadwaja, depressed about his birth as Valiyan, did a penance on Lord Shiva of this temple. Pleased by the devotion Lord Shiva blessed him as a lord of birds. Hence this place was called as Thiru ( Sri ) Valithayam and Lord Shiva alao called as Thiruvalleeswarar.   

It was believed that this temple was used for storing weapons during war, hence  this place was called as Padi. ( to support this the temple authorities, mentions the Padavettamman, were soldiers stayed, prayed before war and offerings after the war which includes Navakandam )

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, annual brahmotsavam will be held in Chithirai ( April- May), and special poojas are offered on Thai Kiruthigai ( Jan- Feb ), Annabhishekam  in Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thiruvathirai in Margazhi ( Dec –Jan ), Maha shivaratri in Masi ( Feb- march ), pradosham and Guru peyarchi day / Transit day.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The land line number is 044 2654 0706 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH 
The temple is in Padi, an industrial area on west part of Chennai ( wheels India and Lucas TVS bus stop. ). City and Town buses are available from various parts of the City.
The temple is about 7.5 KM from Koyambedu,  9.6 KM from Chennai Central and 20 KM from Domestic Airport
Nearest Railway Station Anna Nagar Metro ( 4 KM ) and Junction is Chennai Central.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE






---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Monday 27 July 2020

Sri Kachabeswarar Temple / Virunthitteswarar Temple / அருள்மிகு கச்சபேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Thirukachur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 26th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam at Thirukachur, of Thondai Nadu. This temple is on the base of a small hill also called as Alakkoil, since the sthala Vruksham is a Kal-ala tree( Banyan Tree ). As per Kanchipurana this place was called as “Adhi Kanchi”.  There is also a Shiva temple on the top of the Hill and Lord Shiva is called as Marundeeswarar and the details will be written at last. This is one of the Shiva temple, where Thiyagarajar is in a separate sannadhi.Sekkizhar narrates the arrival of Sundarar with his disciples after Thirukazhukundram  Sudar kozhuntheesar to Thirukkachur. After walking a long distance, Sundarar was very tired and hungry. Knowing this, Lord shiva in the form of old anthanar, begged food and gave to Sundarar and his disciples.

    வன்தொண்டர் பசிதீர்க்க மலையின்மேல் மருந்தானார்
    பின்தங்கு வெண்தலை ஓடுஒழிந்து ஒருவெற்று ஓடுஏந்தி
    அன்று அங்கு வாழ்வார் ஓர் அந்தணராய்ப் புறப்பட்டுச்
    சென்று அன்பர்முகம் நோக்கி அருள்கூரச் செப்புவார்
    
    மெய்ப்பசியால் மிகவருந்தி இளைத்திருந்தீர் வேட்கைவிட
    இப்பொழுதே சோறுஇரந்து இங்குயான் உமக்குக் கொணர்கின்றேன்
    அப்புறம்நீர் அகலாதே சிறிதுபொழுது அமரும் எனச்
    செப்பி அவர் திருக்கச்சூர் மனைதோறும் சென்று இரப்பார்.

Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Also in one song he mentions, the complete hill with Marundeeswarar Temple on the top, itself is a medicine.
 
    முதுவாய் ஓரி கதற முதுகாட் டெரிகொண் டாடல் முயல்வானே
    மதுவார் கொன்றைப் புதுவீ சூடும் மலையான்  மகள்தன் மணவாளா
    கதுவாய்த் தலையிற் பலிநீ கொள்ளக் கண்டால் அடியார் கவலாரே
    அதுவே ஆமா றிதுவோ கச்சூர் ஆலக் கோயில் அம்மானே

    மேலை விதியே வினையின் பயனே விரவார் புரமூன் றெரிசெய்தாய்
    காலை யெழுந்து தொழுவார் தங்கள் கவலை களைவாய் கறைக்கண்டா
    மாலை மதியே மலைமேல் மருந்தே மறவேன் அடியேன் வயல் சூழ்ந்த
    ஆலைக் கழனிப் பழனக் கச்சூர் ஆலக் கோயில் அம்மானே

Moolavar  : Sri Kachabeswarar,  Sri Thiyagaraja Swamy,
                 Sri Virunthitteeswarar, Sri Virunthittavarathar.
Consort    : Sri Anjanakshi Amman.

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a temple tank on the right side and Sri Vinayagar temple is in front. In between there is a 16 pillar mandapam. There is a base ( mottai gopuram ) of the Rajagopuram on the east side. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam under a small mandapam are after the mottai gopuram. Moolavar is of swayambhu and short. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu ( in place of Lingothbavar ), Brahma and Durgai. There is a moat around the sanctum sanctorum, this may be due to raise of out side ground level. The Urchavar is Thiyagarajar. 

In the inner prakaram Naalvar, Ganaganapathy, Choleeswarar, Sri Kalatheeswarar, Sri Maheswarai, Sri Markasahaeswarar, Nagalingam, Nagarajan, Ramanatheeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar.

In the outer prakaram Maha Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar,  Virunthiteesar, Sundarar and Bhairavar. Sri Thiyagesar is in front Nakshatra mandapam and facing east. The Nakshtra mandapa has 27 pillars to signify the 27 Stars. Thiyagarajar here is Upaya Vidangar and believed that Lord Shiva danced for Mahavishnu.  The Mandapa was constructed during Vijayanagara period. The pillars has the bas-reliefs of various deities which includes Mahavishnu’s Kachaba avathara, Anjaneyar etc,. The entrance to the Moolavar sannadhi is on the south from Nakshathra mandapam.

Ambal Anjanakshi Amman is in a separate Temple like sannadhi with a circumambulatory path. Ambal is facing south in standing  posture. Urchava vahanas are kept  in maha mandapam.

The 15th century, Arunagirinathar also praises Murugan of this temple, in another temple’s hymn, hence this temple is a Thiruppugazh Vaippu sthalam.    

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since 8th Century Sundarar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, the temple might have been existed before  6th to 7th Century Pallava Period. Latter the temple was reconstructed during Chozhas period and further contributions from Vijayanagaras.  

The inscriptions recorded  ( AR 261 to 319 of 1909 ) belongs to Kulothunga Chozha-I, Rajadhirajan, Rajara-II, Kulothunga-III, Pandya King Maravarman Sundara Pandyan, Jadavarman Sundarapandyan, Maravarman Veera Pandyan, Vijayanagara Kings Ariyanna Udayar’s Son Viruppanna Udayar and Saluva King Narasinga Rayar. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Thiru Aalakoil Udayar. The place was called as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Kalathur Kottathu, Chengundra Nattu, Thirukachur. Rajaraja-III (?), 14th year reign inscription mentions that this place was also called as Nitha Vinotha Nallur.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s  inscription records the installation of Thirunavukkarasu Thevar. Another 35th year reign inscription records the, order of Nandhivarman gave a gift of land measuring 67 veli gifted to this temple.

Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan period inscription records the donation of Villages Manarkudi as devathanam and it also mentions Thevaraththu Eeswaramudayar Temple.

One inscription mentions about the Muththamizh teacher called Sathanar, whose knowledge was applauded  and his disciple Perunambi, a Kaniyudayar ( land lord..?) was a member of Kachur Kadikai ( Highly knowledgeable person’s Sabha )

Rajaraja-II or III,’s 8th year reign inscription records that oil Merchants assembled at the temple and came to a decision that the oil extractors of Thirukachur and Kanchipuram Thirukkattupalli, to  supply oil to the temple for the lighting of Lamps.  

LEGEND
The Devas and asuras churned the milk ocean to get the amirth with hill Manthara / mount meru as a churner and Vasuki as rope. Due to the weight,  meru hill  starts sink in to the ocean. Mahavishnu took the Koorma – Kachabam – Tortoise avathara and holds his back. Before holding the meru hill Mahavishnu came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple to get strength. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Kachabeswarar.

In another legend Sundarar after travel from long distance, reached temple around noon. Went inside the temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. He was very tired and hungry, so he slept in the mandapa. On seeing him Lord Shiva as an old Brahmin begged food from the village and gave it to Sundarar.  Sundarar after  he become normal, searched the old man and found nowhere. He realized that the old man is nothing but Lord Shiva and sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
The annual festival is being celebrated during Chithirai month. On the fifth day Lord Shiva's Chin mudra vaibhavam is a special one in this temple.
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Brahmotsavam on Chitra Pournami ( April- May ), Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Thiru Karthigai, Thiruvadirai, Makara Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri and on all pradosham days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple is open between 08.00 Hrs to 11.30 Hrs and evening 17.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs. 

CONTACT DETAILS :
Archakars  Murali and Shanmugam  may be contacted for more details and Pooja on their land line number 044 27463514 and the office number is     044 – 27464325.
Alternatively the mobile number can also be contacted 93811 86389 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:
SP Koil or Singaperumal Koil is on the bus and Train route from Chennai to Chengalpattu after Maraimalai Nagar.  Get down at Singaperumal Koil.
Route no 82c passes through the main road from Chengalpattu to Sriperumbudur. From the bus stop the Village is about a KM.
Auto facility is available from Singaperumal Koil bus stop.
The temple is about 25 KM from Tambaram, 34 KM from Chennai Airport, 48 KM from Koyambedu and 52 KM from Chennai central.
Nearest railway station is Singaperumal Koil and Big station is Tambaram. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE





Viruntteesar Sannadhi ( விருந்திட்டீசர் சன்னதி )
Sundarar sannadhi
Vinayagar Sannadhi


Inscriptions

SRI MARUNDEESWARAR TEMPLE / ARULMIGU MARUNTHEESWARAR TEMPLE,  THIRUKACHUR MALAI KOIL
This temple is on the top os the hill and believed that Sundarar also Visited this temple and sung Hymns along with Kachabeswarar. About a KM from the base Temple ir Kachabeswarar temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Marundeeswarar , Sri Oushadeeshwarar
Consort    : Sri Irulneeki Ambal , Sri Anthakaara Nivarani.

Some of the important details of this temple are…..
The temple is facing west with an entrance mottai gopuram  from South. Balipeedam, New Dwajasthambam and Nandhi mandapam are on the west  and Lord Shiva will be visible through jala ( Jalaram ). Vinayagar and Subramaniyar are in front of moolavar Sanctum.

In koshtam Durgai, Brahma, Sri Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Dakshinamurthy and Vinayagar. Bas-reliefs of  Dwarapalakas, Ambal, Sundarar, Appar, Pattinathar, Vallalar,  Vinayagar, Dhandapani are on the mandapam pillars.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Gnana Ganapathy,  Nagars, Chathurmuga Chandeswarar ( Brahma mugam – a special in this temple only ), Bhairavar, Suryan and Navagrahas.

Ambal Sri Irulneeki Amman is in a separate sannadhi  in standing posture and facing west. Theertha well is the oushatha well with steps constructed beautifully.

Two kala Pooja is being performed  with the effort of Sri Kuzhandhai swamikal and Sri Veerasamy swamikal.

HISTORY: 
The temple was built during First Kulothunga and Chozhas period. There is no inscriptions found. The construction of Rajagopuram will be after the arrival of new disciple to Sri Kuzhandhaivel  Swamikal.   

LEGEND : 
Aswini Devars worshiped Lord Shiva   and Ambal for the medicinal herb “Palai Athipalai“  to cure their deceases. Lord Shiva gave this hill as “The hill earth itself a medicine“. When Sundarar came to this temple after girivalam, Iraivan served food after getting from the villagers as picksha ( Yasakam ).
Brahma  Worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple hence Chandikeswarar is in the form of Brahma Chandikeswarar with Chathur mugam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE




A Well with steps at the top of the Hill
Lingothbavar



Brahma Chandikeswarar



Iranthitteesar Sannadhi (இரந்திட்டீசர் சன்னதி )
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Marundeeswarar Temple / Arulmigu Marundeeswarar Temple / திருவான்மியூர் மருந்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில்,Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 25th Padal petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu, at Thiruvanmiyur, a part of Chennai City. Ancient times this place was called as (Thiru) Valmiyur and got corrupted to Thiruvanmiyur. ( But Still the place near the temple is called as Valmiki nagar ). The jeeva Samadhi of Sri Pamban Swamigal is about 0.5 Km from this temple. Sekkizhar in his periyapuranam, describes the arrival of Thirugnanasambandar to Thiruvanmiyur, who was welcomed by devotees and the decoration made on the streets with mangala materials. After entering through the Rajagopuram, Thirugnanasambandar worshiped Lord Shiva lying on the floor.

    திருவான்மியூர் மன்னும் திருத்தொண்டர் சிறப்பு எதிரே
    வருவார் மங்கல அணிகள் மறுகு நிரைத்து எதிர் கொள்ள
    அருகுஆக இழிந்தருளி அவர் வணங்கத் தொழுது அன்பு
    தருவார் தம்கோயில் மணித்தட நெடும் கோபுரம் சார்ந்தார்

Thirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. After worshiping Lord Shiva Sri Kapaleeswarar of Mylapore, Thirugnanasambandar came to Thiruvanmiyur. In his hymns he asked Lord Shiva, why he is in red colour ( Evening / dusk red )?. He also mentions that thiruvanmiyur was on the sea shore with salt pan and covered with green trees / solai.

    கரையு லாங்கட லிற்பொலி     சங்கம்வெள் ளிபிவன்
    திரையு லாங்கழி மீனுக  ளுந்திரு வான்மியூர்
    உரையு லாம்பொரு ளாயுலகு ஆளுடை யீர்சொலீர்
    வரையு லாமட மாதுடன் ஆகிய மாண்பதே
.....திருஞானசம்பந்தர் தேவாரம்.
    
    விண்ட மாமலர் கொண்டு விரைந்து நீர்
    அண்டர் நாயகன் தன்னடி சூழ்மின்கள்
    பண்டுநீர் செய்த பாவம் பறைந்திடும்
    வண்டு சேர்பொழில் வான்மியூர் ஈசனே
.... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் தேவாரம்

Moolavar  : Sri Marundeesar, Sri Aushatheeswarar, 
                 Sri PAlvanna NAthar .
Consort    : Sri Thiripurasundarai, Sri Chokka Nayagi, 
                 Sri Sundara Nayagi.

Some of the special features  of this temple are….
The temple and moolavar are facing west. The west side along the ECR road, Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. In addition to this, there  are two Rajagopuram on the east side, of which the first  one is of 7 tiers, constructed in this 21st  century  with concrete. The second level Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the west side rajagopuram. 

The entrance to the main shrine is through south side entrance after worshiping Thiyagarajar. The dwarapalakas Dhandi and mundi are the not the normal images with gadha in their hands. Moolavar is of swayambhu white in colour and scars of  kamadhenu’s leg  mark on moolavar, since Kamadhenu worshiped Lord Shiva. Only milk abhishekam is done to moolavar and the rest of the abhishekams are for avudayar only. In koshtam, Brahma, Durgai, Vishnu, Dakshinamurthy and Vinayagar. In the Prakaram Sannadhi for, Vinayagar, NAlvar, Gajalakshmi, Subramaniyar with Arunagirinathar, Natarajar, Shiva Lingas ( 108 ), Sri Unnamalai, Arunachaleswarar, Shiva on Rishaba vahana and 63 var stone images.

In the outer prakaram Vinayagar, Sthala vruksham Vanni Tree with Nagars and Ambal. Ambal is in a separate temple on the back side of the Temple facing south. Ambal is in standing posture. There is no koshta images in the niches of Ambal temple. SukravAra Amman is in the Amman temple inner prakaram  facing west. Sarabeswarar pudai sirpam ( relief ), is on one of the pillar of the Ambal temple.

Sri Subramaniar and Sri Vinayagar Sannidhis are facing east at the east side entrance. In the outer prakaram on the South side, a 4 pillar mandapam is on the south east corner of the temple complex, Iratai Vinayagar, Office, discourse / lecture hall and Goshala are abutting the compound wall.

The temple tank Chitrakulam is between the east side two Rajagopurams. Another Temple tank is in front of the east side Rajagopuram. Opposite to Chitrakulam  there is cultural hall called Thiyagarajar kalai arangam.  

The 15th Century Arunagirinathar  worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and has sung hymns on Murugan of this temple.
    குசமாகி யாருமலை மரைமாநு ணூலினிடை
        குடிலான ஆல்வயிறு                                                குழையூடே
        குறிபோகு மீனவிழி மதிமாமு காருமலர்
        குழல்கார தான குண                                                மிலிமாதர்
    புசவாசை யால்மனது உனைநாடி டாதபடி
        புலையேனு லாவிமிகு                                             புணர்வாகிப்
        புகழான பூமிமிசை மடிவாயி றாதவகை
    பொலிவான பாதமல                                                       ரருள்வாயே
        நிசநார ணாதிதிரு மருகாவு லாசமிகு
        நிகழ்போத மானபர                                                   முருகோனே
    நிதிஞான போதமர னிருகாதி லேயுதவு
        நிபுணாநி சாசரர்கள்                                                   குலகாலா
        திசைமாமு காழியரி மகவான்மு னோர்கள்பணி
    சிவநாத ராலமயில்                                                         அமுதேசர்
        திகழ்பால மாகமுற மணிமாளி மாடமுயர்
        திருவான்மி யூர்மருவு                                              பெருமாளே

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since 7th – 8th Century, both Thirunavukkarasar and Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, it is believed that the temple might have existed before 7th Century. The 10th Century inscriptions found in the Amman Temple, records that Chozhas contributions to this temple. Some of the  10th Century inscriptions found in various temples at Mylapore, Triplicane, Purasawalkam and Saidapet, records the donations made to this temple.

The 11th Century Sekkizhar, who had written the Periyapuranam, describes the Thiruvanmiyur, Sri Marundeeswarar temple and Thirugnanasambandar & Appar’s arrival to this temple.

One of the latest inscription in front of Amman sannadhi says, a devotee gifted a land with house to this temple and the income from the property should be used for this temple urchavam. If  any amount is not given, it is a Paavam equivalent  to extinguishing the deepam of moolavar Sannadhi. ( This shows the intense faith on this lord and the paavam ( Sin ) and punyam )

The inscriptions at Kapaleeswarar Temple
The inscription on the west wall of inner prakaram, records the gift to Thiruvanmiyur Ulakaludaiya Nayanar.

The 13th Century inscription, on the top of west gopuram, records the endowment of perpetual lamp for which 3 Cows are given to the temple.

The 13th Century inscription on the west wall inside, records the endowment of lighting  two lamps to Thiruvanmiyur Ulakaludaiya Nayanar, by Thandipidikon of Mylapore, for which he 22 Sheep / Goat were given to the temple.
  
LEGENDS
The, 16th Century, Sri Appayya Dikshitar who belongs to advaita Vedanta Philosophy and an ardent devotee of Sri Marundeeswarar, used  to come for worship Lord Shiva from Velachery ( In olden days it was called as Vethesreny ).  When he was not able to come near the temple due to flood around, Lord Shiva himself turned to west and gave darshan to him.

Lord Shiva gave the dance darshan to Vanmeeki / Valmiki Munivar. Hence this place was called as Thiruvalmikiyur, the same was corrupted to the present name of Thiruvanmiyur. There is a temple for Valmiki on the middle of the ECR, near the main temple. 

Lord Shiva taught the herbal medicine to Agasthiyar in this temple, when he was suffering from stomach pain, hence Lord Shiva is called a Authastheesar or Marundeesar ( in Tamil ).

Devas, Suryan, Brungi, Bharadwaja, Indra, Markandeyar   worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. It is believed that Suryan worshiped lord Shiva during dusk ( The temple and Lord Shiva are facing west ), hence important functions are started from dusk / at the time of sun set, including kodiyetram.

In another legend Sage Vasishta did a penance on Lord Shiva. Appreciating his penance, Indra sent Kamadhenu along him.  One day Kamadhenu delayed in giving milk, Sage Vasishta cursed to become an ordinary cow with out special powers. Kamadhenu came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva, who was under a Vanni Tree, by pouring milk. Hence Lord Shiva was called as PAlvanna Nathar. 

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas Vilakku pooja will be conducted in the month Aadi, Brahmotsavam in Panguni ( March- April), Mahashivaratri ( Feb - March), Vinayaka chathurti, Skanda Sashti ( October- November ), Navaratri, Maha Shivaratri, Thai Pongal, Deepavali, Pradosham, Pournam Karthigai Nakshatra, Thirukarthigai, New Year etc,. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Land line number is : +91 44 2441 0477, may be contacted for further details

HOW TO REACH:
Town buses are available from various parts of the city and very near to Thiruvanmiyur city Bus stand.
The temple is 12.5 KM from Chennai Central, 14.8 KM from Chennai Airport and 19 KM from Koyambedu.
Nearest Railway station is Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station and Chennai Central is the Junction.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE



Vinayagar sannadhi
West side Rajagopuram
Sthalavruksham Vanni Tree


Kalai Arangam
East side newly constructed Rajagopuram



Ambal sannadhi



---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---