Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy Temple / Krishnan Temple / ஸ்ரீ வேணுகோபால கிருஷ்ண சுவாமி கோயில், Coral Merchant Street, Muthialpet, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This series of posts consists of temples  contains 18^th to 20^th Century inscription recorded in “Chennai Ma Nagara Kalvettukkal -  சென்னை மாநகர கல்வெட்டுக்கள்”, Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. This is one of the Maha Vishnu as Venugopala  Krishna Swamy Temples in Park Town and George Town areas. This temple is popularly known as Krishnar Temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy

Consorts  : Sri Rukmini and Bhama

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Deepa Sthambam, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Venugopala  Krishna Swamy is in Standing posture with leg crossed and playing a flute. Rukmini and Bhama are on both sides. Utsava murtis are in front of moolavar.

In praharam Sudharsana with Narasimhar on the back side, Thayar Rukmini, Srinivasa Perumal, Andal, Ramar, Hanuman, Nagars, Thulasi madam,  Vahana Mandapam and 16 pillar mandapam. Andal sannidhi has the paramapatha vassal. Stucco image of Andal and his father and one of the 12 Alwars and Maha Vishnu are on the top of the Andal temple mandapam.  

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a adhistanam with out kumudam. The sanctum sanctorum from adhistanam to prastaram was constructed with stone. A 3 tier stucco Dravida vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. The Stucco images of Mahavishnu’s various avatars are on the Vimanam. No pilasters are shown in the bhitti. The Kostas are without images.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was told that the temple is more than 200 years old and there is no inscription to prove its antiquity.

The 16 pillar mandapam was built by Mangadu Venkatachala Chettiar’s son M. Ellappa Chettiar in the year 1926.

Temple office building was constructed by P B Anandhachariyar. The construction of Rajagopuram and jeernodhara maha samprokshanam of Vimanam and Rukmini Thayar mandapam was conducted during 1965 – 67, by the Thirupani Committee ( Registered in 1964 ).

Dwajasthambam was installed and maha samprokshanam was conducted on 10^th February 2004.

27^th, Aippasi, Akshaya year ( 1985 - 86 ), Sudarsana Narasimhar sannidhi, maha samprokshanam was conducted. For Nidhya poojas Rs 10000 was deposited under registration 1439, by P G Manicka Chettiar, the founder of Ramajam Trust. He entrusted his two sons as managing trustees Jagathjothy and Lakshmi Narasimhan to take of the endowment. The interest earned from the deposit has to be utilized for this nidhya pooja.

16 pillar mandapam construction inscription

LEGENDS

As per the legend Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva. The astrologers predicted that the 8^th child will kill Kamsa / Kamsa, the brother of Devaki.  So Kansa killed all the 7 children and Maha Vishnu took Krishna avatar and born as 8^th Child. Vasudeva took Krishna mystically to Nandaraja and Yasoda and exchanged babies. The 8^th child of Devaki was brought up as Krishna, by Yashoda. During his young days he takes care of the cattle and used to play flute during rearing of the cattle. His posture is depicted to Moolavar of this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular 3 kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Rama Navami, Thirukalyanam, Purattasi Saturdays and all important days.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the Coral Merchants street  also called as Pavalakara Theru, in Tamil.

The temple is about 800 meters from Mannady Metro station, 1.9 KM from Beach Railway Station and 3.6 KM from Chennai Central station.

Nearest Railway Station is Mannady Metro station.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Temple tank

Srinivasa Perumal

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Dharma Vinayagar and Dharmaraja Temple / தர்மராஜா கோயில்/ Sri Muthalamman Temple / ஸ்ரீ முத்தாலம்மன் கோயில், Linghi Chetty Street, Seethakadi Nagar, George Town, Chennai.

This series of posts consists of temples  contains 18^th to 20^th Century inscription recorded in “Chennai Ma Nagara Kalvettukkal -  சென்னை மாநகர கல்வெட்டுக்கள்”, Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.

Even-though the temple is named as Dharma Vinayagar and Dharmaraja temple, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar is given more importance right from Rajagopuram, Vahana, neon sign board, Sanctum sanctorum, mandapam parapet wall ( 7 sets of stucco images  etc,.

Presiding Deity  : Sri Dharmaraja.

Consort            : Sri Throwpathi Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are..

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch and  stucco dwarapalakas on both sides, looks like a mini Rajagopuram. Stucco image of Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar are on the entrance arch and mandapam parapet wall. Peacock vahana, balipeedam and dwajasthambam are after the entrance gopuram. Nagar sannidhi is on the left side of the entrance.

In the main shrine Sri Valli Devasena with Subramaniar is at centre, Krishna, Dharmaraja & Throwpathi Amman are on the left side Shrine and Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar is on the right side shrine. All the three sannidhis are facing east in a straight line from South to North. Inside mandapam has Utsava murthis, Bairavar, Saneeswarar and Suryan. Throwpathi Amman is in a separate sannidhi.

Dharma Vinayagar and Muthalamman are in separate temples, on both side of the entrance arch facing east.

In Muthalamman Sannidhi, Amman is in sitting posture. There are 7 Veera Statues, in which 2 are in Navakandam posture. Stucco images of Ashta Lakshmis are on the walls of the mandapam.   

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was constructed with bricks. Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar sannidhi is with two tala vesara vimanam ( stucco images are in the tala and greeva Kostas ), Shiva’s sannidhi and Dharmaraja’s sannidhis are with ekathala nagara vimanam with stucco images of Maha Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi are in greeva Kostas. Since all the three sannidhis are abutting each other adhistanam and bhitti are not built separately.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may be 100 to 150 years old and reconstructed during recent years. The original temple may be built for Dharmaraja and during reconstruction Shiva and Murugan sannidhis are added. The Place Muthialpet might have obtained its name from this Sri Muthalamman.

Construction of Vimanas for Sri Dharmaraja, Murugan Sannidhi and Sri Sundareswarar Sannidhi and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 3^rd May 1995.

Ashta bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted to Dharma Vinayagar, Dharmaraja, Muthalamman, Throwpathi Amman, Subramaniyar, Ayyappan and all privara devada’s sannidhis  on 09^th February 2014.

Installation of Dwajasthambam and Salakara Vimanam  kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 05^th June 1989.

LEGENDS

There is no particular legend associated with this temple. Going by name Dharmaraja temple, Krishnar, Throwpathi Amman, originally this temple might have been constructed for the Characters of epic Mahabharata. Even though Arjuna is the hero of the epic, Dharmar is the eldest and is known for Dharma. There are many Dharmaraja and Throwpathi Amman temples in Tamil Nadu, where Maha Vishnu devotees are in large numbers. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on Krishna Jayanthi, Thai poosam, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Dharmar Pattabhishekam, Aadi month festival, etc,.

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

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on Linghi Chetty Street in Seethakadi Nagar on the northern end of George Town.

This temple very close to Thambu Chetty Street bus stop on Ebrahim Sahib street, 650 Meters from Royapuram Sub Urban Railway Station, 1.5 KM from Mannady Metro Station and 3.9 KM from Chennai Central Railway Station.

Nearest Railway Station is Royapuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Muthalamman Temple

Navakandam

Navakandam

Ashta Lakshmis

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அருணாசலேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Tondiarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This series of posts consists of temples  contains 18^th to 20^th Century inscription recorded in “Chennai Ma Nagara Kalvettukkal -  சென்னை மாநகர கல்வெட்டுக்கள்”, Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.

While searching for the temples built by Thirumanam Arunachala Mudaliar in Chennai apart from Sri Vijaya Vinayagar temple at Choolai, I came to know that this Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple  at Tondiarpet was also constructed by his son and his descendents are the trustees of this temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Arunachaleswarar

Consort    : Sri Unnamulaiyammai / Abithakujambal

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with and entrance mandapam. The temple tank is on the back side of the Temple. Bas reliefs of Vinayagar and Murugan are in the mandapam. Stucco image of Shiva with Parvati as rishabaroodar’s is on the top of the entrance mandapam. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are after the entrance mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar in the sanctum is little short. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing east. In praharam Suryan, Saniswaran on the wall of Ambal, Bairavar, Nalvar and Vinayagar.  

The Mandapa Vinayagar is about 50 meters away on the south side of the temple with a stone mandapam. Poojas are done first to this Vinayagar. Moolavar’s procession for any function will start only from this Mandapa Vinayagar Shrine. 

ARCHITECTURE

Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati are on both sides of Temple bell structure with Dwarapalakas. The temple is on an elevated level. Jalas on the mandapam walls are beautifully done. The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The mukha mandapam of the Moolavar and Ambal are combined together  forms the inner praharam. A Gajabirushta eka thala Stucco Vimanam with 3 kalasas are on the top of the sanctum sanctorum. The temple from Adhistanam to prastaram was built with stone and the super Structure was built with bricks.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the temple history inscriptions, This temple was built by Chengal Choolai Thirumanam Muthu Muniappa Mudaliar in memory of his Father Sriperumbudur vattam Thirumanam Village Thiru Arunachala Mudaliar, Mother Alamelammal and Guru from the own money of his father Thirumanam Thiru Arunachala Mudaliar. The construction of this temple was started on Monday 7^th Tamil month Chithirai, Durmukhi Year ( 15-04-1776 ). The Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after completion of the temple on Sunday, 21^st Tamil Thai Month in Vilambi year ( 31-01-1779 ). This place was named after the Shiva of this temple Sri Arunachaleswarar as Arunachaleswarar Pettai.

Jeernodhara Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 21-06-1866 during Thiru Thirumanam Sonasalamudaliar and Sonagiri Mudaliar period.

திருபெரும்புதூர், திருமணம் அருணாசல முதலியார் மகன் முத்து முனியப்ப முதலியார் என்பார் அருணாசலயிசுவரர் கோயிலையும், உண்ணாமுலையம்மை கோயிலையும், கோபுரத்தையும், பிருசாத பிம்ப மண்டபம், பலிபிடம் முதலானவற்றையும் தன் தாய், தந்தை குரு ஆகியவர்களின் நினைவாக கட்டிவைத்ததைக் குறிக்கிறது. அந்த இடத்துக்கு அருணாசலயீசுவரர் பேட்டை என்று பெயரிட்டதையும் தெரிவிக்கிறது. The original inscription reads as ….

1. உ
2. சிவமயம் சுபமஸ்.து
3. அகிலாண்டகோடிப் பிறுமாண்
4. ட நாயகராகிய .அருணாசலயீசுவரர்
5. உண்ணாமுலையம்மன் கோபுரப்
6. பிராசாத பிம்ப மண்டப பெலி
7. பீடயித்தியாதிகள் ௨
8. சுவஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ விசையாப்புதைய
9. சாலிவாகன சகாப்தம் ௲௭௱ ௯
10. லியாப்தம் ௪தஅ௱எ௰௯ பிரப
11. வாதி கெதாப்தம் ௩௰௧ உ பரிவ
12. ற்தமான விளம்பி வருஷம் தை
13. மீ உ௰க ௨ நாயற்றக் கிழ
14. மை சதுற்தெசி பூச நக்ஷத்த
15. ரம் . ஆயுஷமான நாமயோகம்
16. வணிகரணம் இப்படிக்கொ
17. த்த சுபதினத்தில் சென்னப
18. ட்டணத்திலிருக்குந் துளுவ வெ
19. ள்ளாழரில் கண்டமகாரிஷி
20. கோத்திரம் ஸ்ரீபெரும்புதூர் திரு
21. மணஞ் செங்கற்குளை முத்து
22. முதலியார் குமாரன் அருணாச
23. ல: முதலியார் செய்விச்ச
24. தற்மம் உ
25. நித்திய சதா சேர்வை ௨
26. மேல் எழுதிய திருமணம் அறுணாச
27. ல முதலியார் ஷைடி பெண்சாதி ௮
28. லமேலம்மாள் இவர்கள் புத்திரனான
29. திருமணம் முத்துமுனியப்ப முதலியா
30. ர் தாய் தகப்பன் குரு ஆத்மா சக குடு
31. ம்பத்துடன் மோட்சாற்தமாகிய நித் :
32. தியத்தை அறுணாசலயீசு வூரை கல்
33. காறி நடந்து விளங்கும் பணிவிடை
34. தவ சங்கல்ப் படிக்கி அறுணாசலயீ
35. சுபரர் ஸ்தூபி கோபுரம் தெரியிற வரை
36. க்கு.ம் அறுணாசலயீசுவர பேட்டை எ
37. ன்று விளங்கும்படி. திருவுளத்தில் பூற
38. ணமாய் கடாட்சிக்க யிருக்குற படியா
39. ல் திருமணம் அறுணாசல மு(த)லியார்
40. ஷேட்டார்சிதமாகிய திரவியத்தில்
41. அவா் குமாரன் முத்துமுனியப்ப முதலி
42. யார் துற்மதி ளூ சித்திரை மீ” ௭௨
43. ஆறம்பித்த கோவில் திருப்
44. பணி யித்தியாதிகள் முதலா.
45. னதும் கோவிலுக்கு வட
46. வண்டை. தென்னண்டை சத்து
47. ரங்கள் கருங்கல் மண்டப வே
48. லை தண்ணிப் பந்தல் பூ
49. சை மடம் திருப்படிக் கொள
50. மும் வாஸ்து திரித்திநகமுக*
51. மும் அருணாசலயிசுவரர்
52. பேட்டையென்று நிச்சை
53. யிச்சு செயிவித்த பிதுறா
54. ச்சித பரிபாலன
55. சாசனம் உ

On 30^th April 1906, again ashta bandhana maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted along with the installation of Navagrahas during Rao Bahadur Thirumanam Annamalai Mudaliar period.

On 04^th February 1996, Dwajasthambam, Prasada bimbam, Stupis, Thirukalyana mandapam, Compound walls Thirupani was done during the present Trustee Thiru T M Manohara Mudaliar’s  period. And on 13^th September 1998, Jeernodhara Ashta bandhana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted.

Initially this temple was constructed exclusively for worshiping, by the family members. Latter it was allowed others also to worship without any claim of right. Hence this temple is a private temple.   

On the east side wall of the inner praharam has the names of the trustees of this temple in the forms of inscriptions. The inscription reads as....

இத்தேவாலயத்தின் ஆதீன

தர்மகர்த்தாக்கள்

கண்ட மகரிஷி கோத்திரம்

திருமணம் அருணாசல முதலியார்

தி நிஜாம் முத்து முதலியார்( முத்து முனியப்ப முதலியார் )

தி அண்ணாமலை

தி சோணாச்சலம் ...  தி சோணகிரி

திருமணம் அண்ணாமலை முதலியார்

முனியப்ப போகீஸ்வரர்

LEGENDS

The legend applied to Thiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswarar temple is applied to this temple also. Once there was an argument between Maha Vishnu and Brahma, about who is powerful and great. When it came to Shri Shiva for a Solution. Shiva told them, that if anyone, who found the end and start of Shri Shiva, will be greatest and powerful ( Adi & Mudi ) and stood in a column of fire. 

Brahma took the form of Anna bird, flew up to find the end and Mahavishnu took the form of Varaha, dig the earth to find the start point of Shiva. While Mahavishnu accepted his defeat, Brahma told that he had seen the top and showed the proof of Thazhampoo, which adorned the head of Shiva. Brahma lied, without reaching top. Thazhampoo also lied that Brahma took it from top of Shiva’s head. Actually the Thazhampoo was falling from Shiva’s head and Brahma took it and showed as proof. Since Brahma and Thazhamboo lied, Shiva cursed that no temple will be constructed for Brahma and Thazhampoo will not be used for poojas. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Annabhishekam, Vinayagar Chaturthi and all important festival days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the Thiruvottiyur High Road about 200 meters from New Washermanpet Metro, 1.6 KM from Tondiarpet Metro and about 7.5 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway Station is New Washermanpet metro.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Mandapa Vinayagar

Mandapam

Nalvar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---