SRI JALAKANTESWARA TEMPLE, IIT MADRAS, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU.

15^th April 2019.

This visit to the temples of IIT Madras was happened on 15^th April 2019. Mr Sampath Kumar, Prof Metallurgy Department, personally came along with me to all the temples. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to cover the temples through unknown routes of the Campus. I extend my sincere thanks to Prof. Mr Sampath Kumar, for his excellent  hospitality and sparing his valuable time in spite his busy schedule.

    

Iraivan      : Sri Jalakanteswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Devi Katyayani.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with an entrance on east and west side. On the east side entrance, Kalabairavar and Nagars under a Peepal tree. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and a muka mandapam. Palipedam and Rishabam are in front of the open mandapam. On the front mandapam top stucco images of Shiva’s family  ( Shiva Parvathy Ganesh and Murugan ).   Ganapathy and Subramaniyar at the entrance of the sanctum. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Sandikeswarar is in front of Brahma. Ambal Sri Katyayani is on the right side of the main sanctum facing south.

STHALA PURANA: As per the 1986 kumbhabhisheka Souvenir released the text reads as… The story of the Lingam, summarized from the reading of the Kakabujander Nadi, which was with the Raj Bhavan Authorities is as follows.

“There was a Gandharva Kumaran by name of Vanavilangan. While he was passing through the sky, he spotted a lovely lake with a swan on it. He attempted to capture  and take the swan away, but as the swan was goddess “Kali” herself, She cursed Vanavilangan that he would become a stone. The Gandharva Kumaran accepted the punishment but prayed to goddess for redemption. The Goddess relented and commanded him to built a temple and perform penance as stone, until he was redeemed by the touch of holy feet of Thrikala Gnanis and saints. Comforted  by this  blessing of Goddess, he built a temple where Goddess rested and established  a Shivalinga at the foot of which lays as a stone for ages, until he regained his original form. The Lingam was shifted as years passed and once a King ( Hunter ) attained salvation by spotting it. Finally a Brahmin Yogi with great efforts lifted the Lingam and installed on the bank of the lake , where it was subsequently found in 1959. The adi describes the Shivalingam as a composite whole, fusing Lord Jalakanteshwara and Devi Katyayani as one o cognate expression of universal peace, prosperity and glory.”

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE.

Prior to the establishment of IITM, the Shiva Linga was under a Mandapam with a thatched roof near the lake. Mahaperiyavaa, of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, clarified that this Shiva Linga is of more than 500 years old and worshipped by Sri Appaya Deekshidar ( 1520-1593AD), who was an advaita Vedanta scholar who composed the famous Margabandu Stotram and Atmarpana stuti. Maha Periyavaa also asked to check the records of Rajbhavan.

As per the authors of the original article, they had checked with the records of Raj Bhavan. According to the information furnished by the Controller of Raj Bhavan area in 1959, the precincts of  the temple had formed the route from an ancient place of worship in Vedasreni ( Present Velachery) to Thiruvanmiyur and had been frequented  by great saints including Appaya Deekshitar (1520 – 1593AD). Kanchi Kamakoti Peethadhipathi Jagadguru Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamiji mentioned that then king performed the Shastiabdapurthi ( 60^th birthday) of Appaya Deekshitar in the temple where the Jalakanteswara Lingam had been present.

The re-construction of the temple was started in 1962 and completed in 1965 ( Vesara style vimana weighs around 300 kg). Kumbhabhishekam was performed on 18^th June 1965 in presence of Kanchi Kamakoti Peethadhipathi Jagadguru Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamiji. Sringeri Sharada Peetathipathi Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Swamiji visited on 7^th Nov 1965. Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Bahadur, Maharaja of Mysore Visited 1965 Kumbhabhishekam. Mahaperiyaa also visited on 20^th Feb 1966. Again Kumbhabhishekam was performed in 1986.

REFERENCE:

The article written by Arun Ayyar, Harish Ganapathy and Hemanth C, alumnus of Indian Institute of Madras in consultation with Kanchi Sankara Mutt, Controller of Raj Bhavan and Dr Nagaswamy. The link to the article Click Here.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Mahaperiyaa also visited on 20^th Feb 1966. 

 Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Swamiji visited on 7^th Nov 1965.

 Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Bahadur, Maharaja of Mysore

The 1965 Kumbhabhishekam

                                     ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

SRI AGASTHESWARAR TEMPLE , THIYAGARAYA NAGAR ( T NAGAR ), CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU.

14^th April 2019.

Being a Sunday, thought of Visiting Sri Agastheswarar Temple of T Nagar. This temple  was left out while visiting temples of Mambalam and T Nagar area.

Iraivan      : Sri Sundara Vanibesvarar

Iraivi         : Sri Sundaravadivambigai.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram on east and North. Ambal Sri Sundara Vadavambigai is also adjacent to Moolavar sannadhi. Ambal and moolavar are facing east. Moolavar is little below the ground level. In the sanctum Statues of Shiva and Parvathi are in standing posture. Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and a open muka mandapam. In Front of Moolavar sannadhi Rishabam and Palipedam. In front of Ambal Sannadhi are the Palipedam, Simha vahanam and a small dwajasthambam. In koshtam only Dhakshinamurthy.

On the left is the sannadhi with a corridor for Sri Valli Deivanai Subramaniyar. At the entrance of the sanctum Sri Agasthiyar with his consort Lobamudra.  On the opposite side is the Navagrahas in and octagonal shaped mandapam  with Vimana. Navagrahas are with their Vahanas.

On the right of Main sanctum, a separate temple like sannadhi for Lakshmi Narayanar and Suba mangala Kalyana Varadhar. In front is a small Dwajasthambam, Palipedam and Garudalwar. On the right is the sannadhi for Rama Bhaktha Anjaneyar. In the prakaram sannadhi for Chakkarathalwar, Durgai, Bairavar, Iyappan, Sandikeswarar and Nagars. 

Immediately after the east side Rajagopuram on the right is the Siddhi Puthi Vinayagar in a Temple like a sannadhi with a corridor. On the walls, Sri Vinayagars Leelas, Amman, Shaiva and Vaishnava deities in the form of reliefs.

Since the temple houses both Shiva and Vishnu, all the Hindu festival are celebrated. It was believed that Agasthiyar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. This temple is more than 50 to 70 years old.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs  to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is on Raja Street off 300 meters from Venkatnaraya Road in T Nagar.

About 750 meters from Panagal park, 1.6 KM from T Nagar Bus terminus.

About 2.5 KM from Mambalam Sub Urban Railway Station and 11 KM from Chennai Central.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Main Sanctum

 Main Sanctum

 Navagrahas

 Sri Lakshmi Narayanar saandhi

 Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum 

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

 Reliefs around Sri Siddhi Pudhi Naithyandha Vinayagar Sanctum

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

ARULMIGU SRI PEELI AMMAN TEMPLE, PALLIPATTU, THARAMANI, CHENNAI.

04^th April 2019.

This Arulmigu Sri Peeli Amman temple is a Village / Kirama guarding deity at Pallipattu a part of Tharamani Village near Metro water pumping station. Usually these type of guarding deities will be installed on four corners of the Village. The west part of original Tharamani Village was taken over by Rajbhavan and latter by IIT Madras. The west side Peeli Amman temples must be inside IIT Madras, of which one is still under worship and the location of the other is not known. The details of Peeli Amman Temple inside IIT Madras, will be written separately along with IIT Madras temples.

Presiding deity : Arulmigu Sri Peeli Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

Arulmigu Sri Peeli Amman temple complex consists of Shiva, Vishnu and other sannadhis. 50% of the total complex space is utilized for these temples and the balance is kept vacant. The temple complex consists of Anjaneyar, Dharma Sastha Iyappan, Periya Kaduthan, Siriya Kaduthan with Ammayi Amman, Chandramouleeswarar with Sandikeswarar, Gangai Amman under Neem tree, Sri Padmavathy Thayar Samedha Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal & Garudalwar ( In koshtam Kirshnar &  Lakshmi Narasimhar), Selva Vinayagar with Saraswathy, Brahma, Vishnu and Durgai as koshta murthams. Sri Valli Deivanai Subramaniyar Sannadhi, Navagrahas are also there. Nagars are under the peepal tree.

Arulmigu Sri Peeli Amman is almost at the centre of the Complex facing east. Amman is in sitting posture on a raised sanctum. In koshtam Dhakshinamurthy, Durgai. Simha vahanam, palipedam and Soolam are in front of the sanctum.

It was told that the Amman is more than 200 years old and it was under a neem tree near Seva Samajam Children’s Home. About 50 years before the Amman was shifted to this present place after constructing a small temple.

Apart from regular poojas, annual pooja during Adi month and Amman’s important festivals with Amman thiruveethu ula are conducted in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

About 500 meters from Madhya Kailash and Gandhi Mandapam Bus stop.

All the Pondy route buses used to stop at Gandhimandapam bus stop.

Minibus from Madhyakailash- Pallipattu- Tidelpark passes through this temple.

   

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI POZHICHALESWARAR TEMPLE, PADUVANCHERY / PATHUVANCHERY ( MADAMBAKKAM ), CHENNAI.

13^th April 2019.

This Sri Pozhichaleeswarar Shiva temple, at Paduvanchery ( Pathuvanchery ) a part of Madambakkam near Kovilanchery is part of Chennai’s ancient Shiva Temples. It was learnt that this temple was built during Hoysala period. This  made me more curious to visit and to know more about this temple. After visiting Sri Chenganmaaleeswarar temple and Kolathur Shiva & Vishnu temples, visited this temple.

Iraivan      : Sri Pozhichaleswarar

Irai           : Sri Anandhavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east without any Rajagopuram or entrance arch. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and a muka mandapam. Narthana Ganapathy, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai are in the Koshtam. In the prakaram sannadhi for Sarabeswarar, Ambal, Navagrahas, Anjaneyar and Kala bairavar. Ambal is facing south. Sarabeswarar sannadhi is also facing east, like Shiva's Sannadhi. Nagars are under a Peepal tree. South wall is painted with Saibaba and Bogar.

In-front of Anjaneyar sannadhi there are two pillars installed with reliefs of Kannapar, Anjaneyar, Maha Ganapathy, Rishabam, a rishi, sun, moon, a donar with folded hand, etc,.  These two pillars are most probably, the remains of old Vijayanagar / Nayak period mandapa pillars.

Even-though  it is claimed that the temple belongs to 13^th Century Hoysala period, there is no evidence found. The 2003 inscription plaque mentions that the temple was built during Hoysala period and after renovations, maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in presence of Mambalam Sri Sankarandha Swamikal with Sri Kanchi Sankarachariyar’s blessings. Again in 2016, Jirnothara ashtabandhana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted after installing, Navagrahas, KalaBairavar, Anjaneyar sannadhis.

It was noticed that coconuts with names are tied at the temple. These Coconuts are offered after fulfilling the prayers. The names of the persons are written on the coconuts. Apart from the regular poojas, Maha Shivarathri is celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 1.7 KM from Kovilanchery bus stop - All the buses from Medavakkam to Mambakkam via Ponmar stops at Kovilanchery, and the temple is 7.6 KM from Medavakkam and 8.3 KM from Mambakkam.

Town bus 51T stops near the temple ( Rice mill stop ) starts from East Tambaram.

    

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

These two pillars are most probably, the remains of old Vijayanagar / Nayak period mandapa pillars.

The inscriptions claims that the original temple was constructed during Hoysala period

 Coconuts offered for prayer

Coconuts offered for prayer

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI KALYANA RANGANATHA PERUMAL TEMPLE, KOLATHUR ( MAMBAKKAM ), CHENNAI.

13^th April 2019.

This Perumal temple was a part of Kolathur temple’s visit. There is a big temple tank called Kalyana Theertham, on the back side of the temple. The Kolathur in Sanskrit called as Kaasarapuri. 

Moolavar   : Sri Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal

Thayar      : Sri Ranganayagi

Some of the salient features of this temples are…

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. A Deepa sthambam ( short ), Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar is at the entrance of the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a muka mandapam. Moolavar Sri Kalyana Ranganathar is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi is called Kalyana sobanam. Urchavars are in antarala. The sanctum is wath a pathabandha adhistanam. The Kalyana Vimanam is on the sanctum. There is no statues in the koshtam. Thayar is in a separate temple like sannadhi also facing east. Anjaneyar sannadhi is immediately after the Rajagopuram.

It was Told that the Consorts of Nithya Kalyana Perumal of Thiruvidanthai and this Kalayana Ranganatha perumal are sisters and Akila Valli Thayar was born in this Village. Further, Thiruvidanthai Sri Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal used to Visit this Place.

As per the history, the temple was built during 8^th Century, completely renovated  and Ashtabhandhana Jeenorthana MahaSamprokshnam was conducted on 24^th Aug 2003 and Sriperumbudur Jeeyar Swamy was also participated. Except Deepa Sthambam, nothing is there to prove it’s antiquity.

Apart from regular poojas, annual festival like Annakoodai is also celebrated ( Rice, Sambar, Rasam, Sweets, fruits will be offered). This temple is equivalent to Thiruvidanthai Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple  to pray for marriages.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 18.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Archakar Arangan Karthi may be contacted for further details on his mobile 9445275268.

HOW TO REACH:  

Kolathur may be reached through town bus No M51V from T Nagar via Saidapet- Medavakkam.

About 2 KM from Mambakkam, which is on the Kelambakkam Vandalur Road.

Kolathur is about 18 KM from Vandalur and 8 KM from Kelambakkam through Mambakkam.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---