Marundeeswarar Temple

"Marundeeswarar7" by Nsmohan via Wikimedia Commons

Marundeeswarar Temple is a temple dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva, located in Thiruvanmiyur,Chennai adjacent to the beach of Bay of Bengal. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the three of the most reveredNayanars (Saivite Saints), Appar and Tirugnana Sambandar have glorified the temple with their verses during the 7th-8th century. The temple has been widely expanded by Chola kings during the 11th century. The temple has two seven tiered gateway towers, a huge tank, with the overall temple area covering 1 acre. The Marundeeswarar temple has been a place of curative worship for people with diseases. The latest consecration of the temple after renovation, was performed in May 2008. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Lord Marundeeswarar is known so because he imparted sage Agastya on curative properties of various herbs and plants. Since then the Marundeeswarar temple has been a place of worship for people with diseases and various problems with their health. It is said that even The Sage Valmiki, who wrote The Ramayana, came here to The Marundeeswarar temple to worship The Lord. Sage Valmiki was said to be blessed here. After this incident, this place was to be known as Thiruvalmikiyur, the name gradually changed to Thiruvanmiyur.^[4] There is a place present in Thiruvanmiyur called Valmiki Nagar in his honour. There is also a temple built for Sage Valmiki in the middle of the East Coast Road,^[4] very close to the Marundeeswarar temple. The lingam for which Lord Hanuman performed pooja, The lingam(meenakshi sundareswarar) that cured the curse of Lord Indra, the Lingam for which SaintBharadwaja performed pooja are present here. Markandeyar performed a penance and prayed to Lord Shiva here, Lord Brahma is believed to have conducted a festival here for lord Shiva.

The road starting from Marundeeswarar temple, now called ECR was an important route during the Chola period and was known as Vadagaperuvazhi, connecting the kingdom to places in Thanjavur and Andhra Pradesh. Inscriptions can be found in the shrine of Tripurasundari Amman dating back to the 11th century during the period of Rajendra Chola. The origins and antiquity of this temple is corroborated by the inscriptions found in other temples in the city namely Kapaleeswarar Temple, Virupaksheeswarar Temple and Thiruvidandai which bear testimony to Tiruvanmiyur's existence. A new life has been put into this ancient worshipping place, first in the year 1903 and then in the 1970s. This temple along with the Kapaleeswarar Temple and the Thiruvottiyur Thyagarajaswamy Temple form the famous Trinity Sea Shore temples of Thondai Mandalam.

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Madhya Kailash Temple

"Madhya Kailash - Adyar" by Sankar Pandian via Wikimedia Commons. 

Madhya Kailash, also known as Nadukkayilai in Tamil, is a Hindu temple in South Chennai, located at the junction between Sardar Patel Road, Adyar and Rajiv Gandhi Salai. It is located opposite the Central Leather Research Institute and is close to the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai.

The "Moolavar" or main deity, Venkata Ananda Vinayakar, is surrounded by shrines to Lord Siva, Surya, Devi and Vishnu. In response to the wishes of the people, there are also "Sannidhis" to Anjaneya, Swarna Bhairavar and Onpankol, though these fall outside Ganapatyam practices.

On Vinayaka Chaturthi day, the rays of the sun fall on the presiding deity, striking an auspicious note. Since Vinayaka is the form of the first sound "Om", eight bells have been installed. They represent the seven notes Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni, with the eighth bell signifying the Sa that follows. In the "Mandapam" before the sanctum sanctorum is a shrine to Vinayaka’s brother Muruga.

The temple has become famous for its unique idol of "Adhyantha Prabhu", which is part Ganapathy and part Anjaneya. The right side is Ganesh and the left Hanuman. The idol was crafted after a vision of such a form was seen by one of the temple officials. In Maharashtra style, one can light the camphor to this deity himself, giving a great sense of satisfaction. Lord Vinayaka himself takes on the onus of propitiating the ancestors. Every afternoon, the priest has a bath and in his wet clothes begins the rites. He takes the Darba garb, earlier placed at the Anandavinayaka idol’s feet and goes to the shrine of Lord Vishnu. From there he takes the white rice offered to the Lord and comes to the Siva shrine. There the rice transforms into the "Pindam". The rice "Pindam" is taken from the Surya shrine and offered to the crows on a platform. All people can avail this service.

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Kapaleeshwarar Temple

"Kapaleeswarar1" by Nsmohan via Wikimedia Commons

Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a temple of Shivalocated in Mylapore, Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The form of Shiva's wife Parvati worshipped at this temple is calledKarpagambal (from Tamil, "Goddess of the Wish-Yielding Tree"). The temple was built around the 7th century CE in Dravidian architecture.According to the Puranas, Shakti worshipped Shiva in the form of a peacock, giving the vernacular name Mylai (Mayilāi) to the area that developed around the temple - mayil is Tamil for "peacock". Shiva is worshiped as Kapaleeshwarar, and is represented by thelingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Karpagambal. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Shaiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The Arubathimoovar festival celebrated during Pankuni in the Tamil calendar is its most prominent festival.The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.The temple's name is derived from the words kapalam (head) and eeshwarar an alias of Shiva. According to the Puranas, during the meeting of Brahma and Shiva at top of Mount Kailash Brahma failed to show the due respect to Shiva. Due to this, Shiva plucked of one of Brahma's heads (kapalams). In an act of penance, Brahma came down to the site of Mylapore and installed a Lingam to please Shiva.This place is known as Sukra Puri, Veda Puri, among many other names including “Kailaye Mayilai and Mayilaye Kayilai “which means this place is equal to kailash. Goddess Karpagambal once playfully closed Shiva's eyes which made the world getting no light (the whole world fell into darkness). So Parvathi was cursed to became a pea-hen by Lord Shiva and did penance here to get back her original personality. Lord Muruga received the spear (Sakthi Vel) for Soora Samharam from goddess Parvathi here. Brahma had worshipped here to get rid of his ego and get back his power to create. The four Vedas have worshipped here. Sukracharya worshipped the Lord here and got back his lost eye. Lord Sri Rama has worshipped here and won the war against Ravana and brought back Sita Devi from Sri Lanka. The daughter of Sivanesa Chettiar Angam Poompavai got her lost life here by the powers of Thirugnana Sambandar. Vaayilar Nayanar, a saiva saint, attained salvation here and Mylapore is also the birth place of Thiruvalluvar who wrote Thirukkural. In Thevaram special mention is made about the beautiful Madaveedhi as “Malgun Mathri Thavazhum Maada Veedhi Mylappil Ullar”. Thiruganana Sambandar, Arunagirinathar have sung the glory of Karpagambal, Singara Velar. The 10 day festival during March / April is a treat to watch and Arubathu Moovar festival is attended by lakhs of devotees every year.

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Kandaswami Temple, Georgetown

Kandaswami Temple

Kandaswami Temple is a Hindu temple in George Town, Chennai in India dedicated to Murugan. Constructed by the Beri Chetty community in the 1670s, it is considered to be one of the finest in the neighbourhood. The temple is situated in Rasappa Chetty Street, the temple is associated with the life of the Saivite saint Ramalinga Swamigal who composed Deivamanimalai here. The idol of Murugan in the temple was brought from Tiruporur and installed in the 1930s.

When two merchants Mari Chettiar and Kandappa Achari were going to Murugan Temple in Thirupporur, they got tired and slept on the sidewalk. They then both had a same dream, which in their dream they found a Murugan Idol at a place where they slept. They woke up and unearthed the Idol and brought it to Georgetown. They then built a temple for Lord Murugan called Kandaswami Temple. This legend dates back to 1670s. The main deity in this temple is Thirupporur Kandaswamy and the Urchava Moorthi is Muthukumara Swamy. There is a well inside the temple called ‘Saravana Poihai’, in which the water levels never diminished to this day since it was constructed in 1670s some 340 years back. Saivite saint Ramalinga Swamigal composed Deivamanimalai here.

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Kalikambal Temple

Main Entrance, via Wikimedia

The Kalikambal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kalikambal (Kamakshi) and Lord Kamateswarar, located inGeorge Town, Chennai, India. The temple is located on Thambu Chetty Street, a prominent financial street running parallel to Rajaji Salai.

The temple was originally located closer to the sea shore and was relocated to the current site at 1640 AD. It was then built in 1678.^[1] Shivaji, the Maratha warrior and the founder of the Hindawi-Swarajya in the 17th century, had worshiped in this temple incognito on 3 October 1667.^[2] It is believed that a fierce form of Goddess was held in worship earlier and that this form was replaced with the shanta swaroopa (calm posture) form of Goddess Kamakshi.

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Kachchaleswarar Temple

Front Entrance, via Wikimedia

Kachchaleswarar Temple, also known as the Great Kachali Pagoda, is a Hindu temple located in Armenian Street, Chennai, India. Constructed on land belonging to dubash Kalavai Chetty in 1725, the temple belonged to the left-hand castes and was the site of the first major conflict between left and right-handed castes in the then Madras city.

The temple is modelled on the Kachaaleshwarar temple at Kancheepuram. Kachaaleshwarar (Lord Shiva) is the main deity and Soundaraambikai, the consort deity.

The temple was built in 1725 by Kalavai Chetty, a 'dubash' working for the British East India Company, on a land belonging to him. A huge retinue of dancing girls were attached to the temple in the earlier days. These dancing girls resided in a quarter adjoining the temple. A plaque in the temple records the year of the first kumbhaabishekam (consecration) as 1728. Post-Independence, a mahaa-kumbhaabishekam (great consecration) was held on 8 July 1962. A major renovation of the temple began on 20 February 1984 and another great consecration was held on 9 July 1989.

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Jagannath Temple, Chennai

Jagannath Temple, Chennai - via Wikimedia

Jagannath Puri Temple Chennai is a Hindu temple dedicated to the divine trinity Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadrain Chennai, India. The temple located in Kannathur off the EC Road by the seaside is built in Kalinga architecturereminiscent of the Jagannath Temple, Puri. The temple has shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh, Bimala. The annualRathyatra is the main festival celebrated.

The temple was built in 1725 by Kalavai Chetty, a 'dubash' working for the British East India Company, on a land belonging to him. A huge retinue of dancing girls were attached to the temple in the earlier days. These dancing girls resided in a quarter adjoining the temple. A plaque in the temple records the year of the first kumbhaabishekam (consecration) as 1728. Post-Independence, a mahaa-kumbhaabishekam (great consecration) was held on 8 July 1962. A major renovation of the temple began on 20 February 1984 and another great consecration was held on 9 July 1989.
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Ettampadai Temple

The Ettampadai Idols, via Wikimedia

The Ettampadai Temple is located in Murugan. It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Muruga. 

This Temple is the ancient temple in South India. The Lord Murugan kalvettu in this temple is only placed in Kandhaswamy temple and Thiruporoor Murugan Temple. In early days pilgrims refreshen up while carrying Kavadi.
This land of this temple was donated by Ms. Pachayammal, later it was maintained by Dharmakartha Mr.K.S.Kathirvel Pillai and Mr.K.Subramaniyam.To restructure this temple the devotees of Murugan (Thiruvallikkeni Thirumuruganadiyargal", started a Devotional Musical Organization named as "BHAJANASHWARA" in the year of 1978.) From the remuneration they started initial structure of this temple.
In the first inner prahāram, or ambulatory, around the heart of the temple, shrines are Pillayar, Kumbeshwarar, Ambigai, Sri Kanaga Durga, Navagraha Sannathi and besides one to the Ancient Pillar of Lord Muruga.

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Dandeeswarar Temple

Dandeeswarar Temple

Dandeeswarar Temple (Shri Dandeeswarar Temple) is a Shiva temple situated in Velachery, a suburb of Chennai. The temple was built during the Pallava reign and was repaired and rebuilt during the Chola reign. The temple complex consists of a main temple complex and a tank, and is 2 kilometers towards the east from Guru Nanak College on the Velachery main road. This temple is administered by the HR & CE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The Temple traces its mythology to that of Lord Yama (God of Death) who is said to have installed this Lingam and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness and restoration of his strength after he was kicked on his chest by Lord Shiva in Thirukadavur at the behest of saving the life of Sage Markandeya. Lord Yama having lost his strength is said to have created a Tank (Yama Theertham) and installed this Lingam and had fervently prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness and restoration of his strength so that he can carry out his duties in full measure. Pleased by his prayers Lord Shiva is said to have granted a Staff (Dhandam) to Lord Yama in this place and restored his strength and hence the name Dandeeswarar - or bestower of mythical staff. The Lords Consort is Goddess Karunambika (Merciful Mother).

The other important incident associated here is that the 4 Vedas came and prayed to this Lord and regained their strength after they were taken by Hiranyaksha and were kept immersed in Sea before being rescued by Lord Vishnu in Matsya avatar. Thus this place is an apt one for any one wishing to regain their lost strength and vitality. The name Velachery is said to be corruption of Veda Shreni (Place of Vedas).

The Temple sports a 5 Tier Vimana and has separate shrines for Ganapati, Subrahmanya and Shasta as well. We can find the idols of Lord Surya and many other deities including 63 Nayanmars.

The Temple however, has been badly maintained in the past as one can see broken pillars and remnants of carvings spewed around. The Pillars have Tamil and Devnagri etchings. The Temple has however seen good patronage in the recent times after Velachery has become an active suburb.

It is said that the rays of the Sun would fall on the Lingam on the exact date of Tamil New Year and this is not happening now as High rises have been built around the Temple. The Temple poojas starts from about 6.30 am and go on up to 11.30 am and is open again from 4 pm to 8.30 pm daily. Visit Ishtadevata to know more about Dandeeswarar Temple and many more.

Chennai Om Sri Skandhashramam

Roof Designs of the Temple

Chennai Om Sri Skandhashramam is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Murugan (Swaminatha Swami) in Chennai, India. It is located at Selaiyur, Tambaram, a southern neighbourhood of Chennai. The temple is known of its huge idols of several deities, including Kamala Siddhi Vinayakar, Panchamukha Heramba Ganapathy, Dattatreya, Panchamukha Hanuman, Sanieswara, Ayyapan, goddess Ashtadasabhuja Durga Parameswari, Sarabeswara (form of Shiva), goddess Prathiyankira, goddess Bhuvaneshwari, Swaminathaswamy (chief deity at the temple), Sudarshanachakathalwar, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Maha Sahasralingamurthy (1008 lingams), Nandikeswarar, goddess Annapurani and Chakra Poorna Maha Meru. There is also an idol of Saint Sathguru Santhananda Swamigal, who built the temple.

Chennai Om Sri Skandhashramam temple was consecrated by Saint Swami Santhananda on 24 June 1999.^[2] Before building the temple at Chennai, Shanthananda Swamigal also built the Judge Swamigal Adhishtanam at Pudukkottai, Om Sri Skandasramam at Salem and Dattagiri at Sendamangalam.^[3] The temple is dedicated to goddess Ugraprathyangira Devi and god Sarabheswara. This is said to be the first temple in India to have been dedicated to goddess Ugraprathyangira Devi. It is also said to be the first temple of god Sarabheswara constructed in modern times. There is an old Chola temple dedicated to Lord Sarabheswara atThribhuvanam near Thanjavur, also in Tamil Nadu. Swami Santhananda died before the completion of the temple.

The temple boasts over 15 life-sized and larger idols of various gods and goddesses, weighing dozens of tonnes each. Visit Ishtadevata to know more about this temple, an many more all over the world.

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Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thirunindravur

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thirunindravur Via Wikimedia

Sri Bakthavatsala Perumal temple is a Hindu temple, located at Thirunindravur, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Bhaktavatsala Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Ennai Petra Thayar.

The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholasand Vijayanagar kings. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a four-tieredrajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, in the temple.

Bhatavatsala Perumal is believed to have appeared to Kubera. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Krishna Janmasthami festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Aavani (August–September), being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend is that Varuna, Samudraraja had worshipped Vishnu at this place. It is also said that Vishnu, reurning from this place followed by Lakshmi, stayed here and hence it is called Thirunindravur. It is also that Thirumangai Alvar did not sing any paasuram(songs) here and followed by Vishnu followed Thirukadalmallai and sang song praising the deity Bhaktavatsala Perumal from there. Lakshmi requested Perumal to appear before the azhwar, but when he did Azhwar had already reached Tirukannapuram. Perumal again appeared in the dreams of the Azhwar who felt that he is viewing Bhatavatsala in Tirukannapuram.

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai alvar. The Azhwars have sung praise on the different forms of Bhaktavatsala Perumal. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Many Acharyas have also written songs on the various forms of God in this Temple.

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