The visit to this Sri Apparswamy Thirukoil at Appar Nagar in Tiruvottiyur was a part of “Hero Stones and Siddhars of Tiruvottiyur”, on 11th September, 2022. The visit was mainly focused on the Siddhar Jeeva Samadhis of Tiruvottiyur and on the way had the darshan of Sri Appar Swamy of this temple.
Moolavar : Sri Appar Swamy
Consort : Sri Tripura Sundari
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with an entrance ( half is only visible due to encroachment ). Stucco image of Lord Shiva and Parvati as Uma Maheswara is on the top of the entrance. Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Murugan are at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. Moolavar in the sanctum Sanctorum is little taller. Kostas are empty without images.
Some loose sculptures and Appar ( facing moolavar ) are in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in a separate Sannidhi facing South in the ardha mandapam.
Balipeedam, Rishabam, Saptakannis and Nagathamman are in the maha mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha mandapam. The temple was constructed completely with bricks. The ardha mandapam is supported with vrutha pillars.
The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam ( now up to pattika level the ground level was raised ). Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai and pothyal are shown on the bhitti. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and bhoomi desam. A Two tier dravida vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the first level Vimanam sala kostas. No other stucco images are found on the vimanam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the Appar Swamigal original temple was existed on the same place for the past 1000 years and this present structure belongs to 19th to 20th Century.
Balasundara Swamigal was, instrumental behind the identification of Pattinathar Jeeva Samadhi Temple along with Pamban Swamigal. During the process, a Shiva Lingam was unearthed from this area. The same was installed now at Appar Swamigal Temple.
As per the display board, it was planned to do thirupani of this temple by HR & CE Department.
The temple is squeezed between the encroached houses. The entrance of the temple only 50 is visible and we cannot do circumambulation of the temple. On the north side the space left will be hardly 3 feet and 2 persons cannot cross at a time.
A Narrow gap- Encroachment
A Narrow gap entrance- Encroachment
LEGENDS
It is believed that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal alias Appar Swamigal visited many Shiva Temples and came to Tiruvottiyur. Lord Shiva gave darshan to Appar at this place. Appar Swamigal installed a Shiva Lingam and worshiped, on the same place where Lord Shiva gave darshan. Latter a temple was constructed, keeping the Shiva Lingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
It was told that when Pamban Swamigal came to Tiruvottiyur, stayed in this temple for some days and practiced meditation.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, and some important days sponsored by the devotees.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Gurukkal Balagurusamy may be contacted on his mobile +91 9710990014 and HR & CE official number +91 44 25733703 for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The temple is on the Appar Swamigal Street, Appar Nagar on the east side of Ennore Express Road.
30 meters from Bala Sundara Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple, 500 meters from Pattinathar Temple, 2 KM from Thiyagarajar Temple, 10.8 KM from Chennai Central Station and 22 KM from Pamban Swamigal jeeva Samadhi at Thiruvanmiyur.
Nearest Railway Station is Tiruvottiyur.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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