The Visit to this Sri Paleeswarar Temple at Gummidipoondi was a part of “Shiva, Maha Vishnu, Saptamatrikas and Jain Tirthankara Temples Visit”, in and around Gummidipoondi and Minjur on 13th May 2023. This Baleeswarar Temple is about a KM through the subway. The temple bears a recently constructed temple’s look, which I didn’t expected. The Temple lost its sanctity, antiquity and Chozha period Charming look.
Moolavar : Sri Baleeswarar
Consort : Sri Parvati
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a dilapidated Rajagopuram on the South side. Both Moolavar and Ambal are facing east direction. Balipeedam and rishabam are in front of the Shiva sannidhi. Moolavar in the sanctum is little tall on a round avudayar. There is no images in the koshtams. Natarajar is in the inner praharam facing South.
In the outer praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Ayyappan, Suriyan, Chandran, Kalabairavar, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar.
ARCHITECTURE
Total temple consists of, sanctum sanctorum, antarala and common ardha mandapam of the maha mandapam. The original temple’s, South side Rajagopuram and Compound walls are built with laterite ( செம்பூராங்கற்கள் ) stones. The Southside Rajagopuram is not touched so far for the renovation. The present temple was constructed with Bricks & Cement. A 3 tala vesara Vimanam was built over the sanctum sanctorum, which is not proportionate to the size of sanctum sanctorum. Mandapa, sanctum sanctorums are laid with tiles which gives a shabby look.
The Rajagopuram was constructed with laterite stones, even the sculptures, kapotam, kumbha panjaras are also done and lime mortar was applied over it. The Rajagopuram was built on a kapota bandha upanam, pada bandha adhisthanam with silambu ( Kataka vari ) kumudam. The adi tala has the niches with, Brahma, Shiva etc,.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per Tiruvallur Mavatta Tholliyal Kaiyedu…. There is a hearsay that this temple was constructed by Rajendra Chozha-I, while returning with Ganga water, to justify this claim there is no evidence available in this temple. Maha Vishnu, Lingothbavar and Dakshinamurthi may belongs to Chozha period. The iconography of Dakshinamurthy may be compared to the Gangaikonda Chozha puram Chozheeswarar Temple’s 13th Century sculpture. Please not that non of the sculptures are available or installed in the Temple. The Chandikeswarar seems to be the old one and it may belongs to Chozha period.
During my visit, an inscription flat stone was found near Iyyappan Temple. The bottom line mentions the King’s Name as Rajaraja… Going by the style of inscription this temple may belongs to Rajaraja-II or III. The original temple Mandapam was extended by the Vijayanagara Nayakas.
The present structure was built with brick and concrete, after pulling down the old beautiful structure. So sad, since the old style was not followed. The Vijayanagara nayakas period Mandapa pillars are dumped out side and inside the temple.
The temple alone was renovated and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 02nd February 2015 ( But as per Dinamani .. it is on 2nd May 2017 ) and the Rajagopuram was un touched and still in bad shape.
LEGENDS
It is believed that this is one of the prihara sthalam from Sani Bhagavan. It is believed that Kamadhenu and Siddhars worshipped Shiva of this temple.
Since Shiva and Parvati are in Kalyanakolam, devotees worships Shiva and Parvati to get rid of marriage obstacles.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, maha Shivaratri, Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi, Navaratri, Chithirai Vishu,
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Contact this number : +91 9092777195 and +91 9444175185.
Email address : Sankarngpd@gmail.com
HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 3.8 KM from Gummidipoondi railway station, 16 KM from Ponneri, 20 KM from Periyapalayam, 43 KM from Chennai central and 60.6 KM from Tiruvallur.
Nearest railway station is Gummidipoondi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Iyyappan Sannidhi
RAJAGOPURAM
Walls are built with Laterite stones and below is the Mandapa pillars
Top- new - Old Bottom
PC - Website
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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