Tuesday 24 March 2015

Sri Mallikeswarar, Sri Kamateswarar, Sri Kachaleswarar, Sri Kandaswamy and Sri Ekambareswarar Shiva Temples from CHENNAI 600001 TO CHENNAI 600003, Tamil Nadu.

 24th March 2015.
One of my friend used to call me to visit Sri Ekambareswarar temple at Mint street ( it was told that coins were minted in this street, once upon a time  by Government ). On 22nd March 2015, utilizing this opportunity visited the Shiva temples starting from Chennai 600001 Muthialpet to Sowcarpet Chennai 600003., where north Indians are dominated. I used to wonder, why Lord Shiva is very popular in this area?, since there are lot of Shiva temples in Park Town area. Some of the temple are 500 years old and has a long history. We have to appreciate the donors who donated the land, constructing the temple and poojas. For some of the temples properties  were donated and the in come from the properties  used for poojas and functions. All the temples are preparing for the Panguni month’s festival, when I visited. Pandhals were erected in front of temples, streets.   

SRI MARAGATHAMBAL SAMEDHA SRI MALLIKESWARAR TEMPLE

This Shiva temple is at the end of Linghi Chetty street in Muthialpet. A walk-able distance from Beach Railway station.
 
 Dwajasthambam with  balipeedam, entrance arch  and 7 tier Rajagopuram on the left 

Moolavar  : Sri Mallikeswarar
Consort    : Sri Maragathambal

Some of the important features of this temple are..
A 16 pillar mandapam ( all in granite stones ) with a 7 tier Rajagopuram on the south side entrance. The Rajagopuram up to first level was constructed with granite stone during 2003. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Ananda Vinayagar, Nagars, Navagrahas with heir vahanas  in round formation and Suryan  is little high, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam Mandapam.

On the east side entrance on the left Vinayagar and Subramaniyar on the right.

In the inner prakaram Suryan, Vinayagar, Chandrasekarar, Adhipureswarar, Sri Shanmugar, Saraswati, Naalvar, Kasi Viswananathar with Visalakshi, Mahadevar, 63var in two rows, Chandran,  Bhairavar, Suryan and Palliyarai.

Dwarapalakas in front of sanctum with artha mandapam and maha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Moolavar is little big.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS 
A permanent arrangement was done for regular pooja and functions through the income from the properties by the donors. This is from the inscription / kalvettu tablet  available on the mandapam walls.

It is believed that this temple was constructed by the Pallava King Mallikarjun in the year 1652 CE ( NO... ?).

The two 19th - 20th Century inscriptions on a tablets affixed on the walls. reads as ... 

சிவ மயம்
ராக்ஷஸ வருடம் மார்கழி மாதம் 17க்கு 1916 வருடம் ஜனவரி 1ந்தேதி சென்னைப்பட்டிணம் ராயபுரம் ஸ்லாடரவுஸ்ரோட்டில் தேக்குமர வர்த்தகர்களின் சிலா ஸாஸனம்

1894 வருடம் மே மாதம் 22ந்தேதி சென்னை ராயபுரம் அர்த்தூன் வீதி o.s.2388. R.S 579. AFC 6620 உள்ள மனை 1. குழி 936ல் அடங்கிய 18 நெ வீடு மனையை ஷை வர்த்தகர்கள் கா. மாணிக்கசெட்டியார் கூ. அரிபுத்ர நாயகர்  இவர்கள் பேரில் ரூபா 1635 க்கு வாங்கப்பட்டது. ஷை வீட்டில்  வரும் குடக்கூலியில் வரி ரிப்பேர் முதலிய செலவு போக மீதி துகையைக் கொண்டு சென்னை முத்தியாலுப்பேட்டை லிங்கிசெட்டி தெருவில் எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் ஸ்ரீமல்லிகேஸ்வரசுவாமி பிரமோஸ்ஸவத்தின் 8வது நாள் பரிவேட்டை உற்சவத்தை நடத்தவேண்டியது. 1905 வருடம் ஆகஸ்டு மீ 2 ந்தேதியிலும் 1908 வருடம் மார்ச்சு மீ 13தேதியிலும் ஷை வர்த்தகர்களால் ஏற்படுத்தப்பட்ட டிரஸ்டிகள் கா. மா. அப்பாதுரை செட்டியார், ப. முத்துசாமி நாயகர் இத்தருமத்தை நடத்திவர வேண்டியது. இவர்களுக்குப்பின் அப்போதைக்கப்போது ஷை வர்த்தகர்களால் ஏற்படுத்தப்படும் டிரஸ்டிகள் ஷை தர்மத்தை நடத்திவரவேண்டியது. ஷை சொத்தை தானம் விக்கிரயம் அடமானம் முதலிய பராதீனம் செய்யக்கூடாது.

கா. மா. அப்பாதுரைசெட்டியார்
ப. முத்துசாமிநாயகர்
டிரஸ்டிகள்


சிவமயம்

சென்னை முத்தியால்பேட்டை லிங்கிசெட்டி தெரு 256நெம்பர் அக்கமாபேட்டை வெங்குசெட்டியார் கனிஷ்ட பாரியாள் செங்காளம்மாள் நான் என் மனப்பாத்தியர் சம்மதித்து ஏர்ப்படுத்திய சிலாசாசனம் எனக்கு பாத்தியப்பட்ட ஷை பேட்டை சாலை விநாயகர் கோயில் தெருவு 11..6 நெம்பர் வீடு, முத்துமாரி செட்டி தெருவு 1. நெம்பர் நெம்பர் வீடி 1, அதைச்சேர்ந்த கடையும் ஷை தெருவு 65 ஆம் நம்பர் வீடு. 1. ஆ.. வீடு. 3. இந்த மூன்று வீட்டு வருமானங்களைக்கொண்டு ஷை பேட்டை  லிங்கிசெட்டிதெருவு…. நெம்பரில் வீத்திருக்கும் ஸ்ரீமரகதவள்ளி சமேதறாய  ஸ்ரீ மல்லிகேஸ்வரசுவமியாருக்கு மாலை சந்திகாலபூசை அர்த்தஜாம பூசைபள்ளி அரைவுச்சவம் ஆகிய இம்மூன்று...க  பிங்கரியங்களுக்கு ஏர்கனவே என்னேலேயேர்பாடுசெய்யப்பட்டு நடத்தி வந்ததை இன்று என்னால் நடத்த முடியாமல் ஷை சொத்துக்களை.. ஷை விஷயங்களுக்கு  ஷை ஆலய தர்மகர்த்தாக்களிடம்  1925 வருடம் நவம்பர் 17 தேதியில்…… விஷயங்களைக்கண்டு என்னால் எழுதியமைக்கப்பட்டு மதறாஸ் செங்கல்பட்டு ரிஜிஸ்டர் ஆபீசில் 1925 வருடம் டிசம்பர் 8ந்தேதி  4028 நெம்பர் தஸ்தாவேஸ் ரிஜிஸ்தர்  செய்யப்பட்டு தர்மகர்த்தா மூலமாய் பத்திரத்தை ஒப்பித்துவிட்டேன். இத்தர்மம் சரிவர நடத்தாமல் வி...கும் யேர்ப்பட்டால் ஸ்ரீஆபிநவதர்ம சிவாச்சாரியார் சிஷியர்கள் ஆயிரவர்கள் பரி செட்டியார்களில் யாராவது கேட்டு முயர்ச்சி செய்து கைங்கரியத்தை நடத்தி வர வேண்டியது மேற்படி சொத்துக்களை மேல் கண்ட தேவஸ்தானத்திற்கு ஏதாவது வியார்ச்சியத்கரம் படும் பக்ஷத்தில் இந்த சொத்துக்கும் ஷை… வியார்ச்சியத்திற்கும் சம்பந்தம் இல்லை … எனக்கும் என் வார்சுகளுக்கும் யெவ்வித சம்பந்தமும் கிடையாது என்று சகலருக்கும் தெரிவிக்றேன்.

இப்படிக்கு
அக்கமாபேட்டை  வெங்கு  செட்டியார்
கனிஷ்ட பாரியாள் செங்காளம்மாள்


HOW TO REACH :
This temple on Linghi Chetty Street in Muthialpet, Madras 600001.
About a KM distance from Beach Railway station.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The telephone number is  044 25260504

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

 Sanctum entrance arch
 Moolavar vimanam 
 Rajagopuram - view from inside 
 Rajagopuram another view - Dwarapalakas - wearing shirt and dhoti with 16 hands
Front 16 pillar mandapam 

SRI KALIKAMBAL SAMEDHA SRI KAMATEESWARAR TEMPLE.
This is on the next street to Linghi Chetty street called Thambu Chetty Street. People will easily guide you if you ask for Kalikambal Temple instead of Shiva’s name Sri Kamateeswarar. During Friday and Sundays there will be a lot of rush  for Ambal’s darshan.

East side arch with Rajagopuram 

Moolavar    : Sri Kamatewarar
Consort      : Sri Kalikambal.

Some of the important features of this temple are..
The temple is facing west with Rajagopurams on east & west side ( Constructed during 1976 CE ).

In the outer prakaram  Dwajasthambam  with thirisoolam is in front of Ambal sannidhi.  The other sannadhis are Sri Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Veerabhadra mahakali, Vada kathirkamam murugan  ( The cine song "Ullam Uruguthaiyaa" was written  by  Sri Andava Pichi in the year 1952 from this place ) Gayathri, Durgai, Natarajar, Urchavar Kalikambal, Madapalli, Periyanayagi with Mahalakshmi and Saraswati on both sides,  in a separate temple like sannadhi with sanctum, artha mandapam. At the east side entrance mandapam on the right Prithiyangara Devi in sudhai and shops on the left.

In the inner prakaram Vinayagar, Valli devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Veerabhadra, Palliyarai. Vinayagar and Naga Subramaniar are at the entrance from outer to inner prakaram on east side.

Moolavar is in a small sanctum compared to Ambaal and regular poojas are mainly for Ambal.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple is being maintained by Viswakarmas. It was believed that the temple was once near the fort and latter shifted to this place during 1640 CE. Also it was believed that Chatrapati Shivaji, the Maratha King worshiped Kalikambal on 03-10-1677 ( information from a book Published by Tamil Nadu Government ). Vyasar, Agasthiyar, Pulathiyar and Varunan also worshiped this temple Ambal.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The telephone number is 044 2522 9624.
Email. Kalikambal.chn1@gmail.com
Web site : CLICK HERE

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is in 212, Thambu Chetty street opposite to Muthialpet Girls school.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

 West side entrance Rajagopuram 

SRI SUNDRAMBAL SAMEDHA SRI KACHALEESWARAR TEMPLE.
This temple is on  77, Armenian street, Chennai, next street to Sri Kalikambal temple.

 Preparing for the festival 

Moolavar    : Sri Kachaleeswarar
Consort      : Sri Sundarambal.

Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple is facing east with a mandapam in front. There is no Rajagopuram. The temple is little lower than the ground level. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, an antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam.  Moolavar is very small with Nagabaranam. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

Panchamukha Ganapati with Siddhi and Budhi on the left and Sri Valli Devasena Shanmugar on the right at the entrance to sanctum. 

In the inner prakaram Navagrahas, Nalvar, Somaskandar, Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Shanmugar, Urchavar, Durgambika, Palliyarai, Chandikeswarar, 63var in double row with passage, Vishnu, Thathreyar, Sabha mandapam, Gajalakshmi, Saraswati, Chandran, Kala bhairava ( on the right entrance to Ambal Sannadhi ).  Shiva’s various form photos are hung around prakaram.

In the outer prakaram Dwajasthambam with a blipedam, nandhi, Sri Moola Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar ( Valli and Devasena  are in a separate sannadhi on the left and right of Sri Subramaniar. - With elephant vahanam ), Kosalai, Adi Sankarar, Sri Munthikeswarar, Sri Anjaneyar, Iyappan in a separate mandapam, Sri Kachaleeswarar stucco image is  on the right side entrance  wall from outer to inner praharam.

Ambal is in standing posture with Abhaya  and varada hastham,  in a separate sannadhi facing south.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original History of Sri Kachaleeswarar temple  article was Published in Hindu by Mr V Sriram is given below with link
THE HINDU , FRIDAY REVIEW » HISTORY & CULTURE

The History  link :CLICK HERE

July 10, 2012,  Updated: June 6, 2013 14:40 IST

The temple forms a square, on three sides of which is the agraharam, marking the residential area

Kalavai Chetty, commemorated in a Chintadripet street and referred to in records as Calloway Chetty, is first mentioned in 1691 when he was declared insolvent and sentenced to prison by the Mayor’s Court. Governor Elihu Yale, commemorated in Yale University thought differently after Chetty’s relatives met him and a surety of 1,000 pagodas (the currency used then) had exchanged hands.

He demanded the immediate release of the “eminent Merchant of the Hon’ble Company”. It was perhaps the first instance in Madras of political interference in the execution of justice.

By 1708, Chetty was clearly prosperous enough to rent the villages of Tondiarpet, Purasawalkam and Egmore from the East India Company at 1,750 pagodas per annum. Within a few months, Governor Pitt, of whom Chetty was clearly a favorite, encouraged him to take on the villages of Tiruvottiyur, Nungambakkam, Vyasarpadi, Kattupakkam and Sattangadu, which he did at a rent of 1,200 pagodas per year.

Kalavai Chetty formed a joint stock company, a private limited in today’s parlance, through which he and other investing merchants supplied cloth to the East India Company. Apart from Kalavai, the shareholders were Sunkurama, Balu and Kalathi Chetties, all commemorated with street names in north Chennai. But Kalavai Chetty’s continuing involvement in caste riots ensured his dismissal from this venture in 1717. He was soon back in favour, this time on payment of 40,000 pagodas as a surety.

His various dealings prevented him from regularly visiting the Kachabeswarar shrine in Kanchipuram to which he was greatly attached. He decided to build a temple for the deity in Madras itself. His garden on Armenian Street was made over for the purpose and on it came up the temple then referred to as the Kachali Pagoda and now known as the Kachaleeswarar Temple. Like the shrine in Kanchi, the Shiva Linga here is mounted on a turtle depicting Mahavishnu. The goddess here is Saundarambika, just as in the Kanchi temple. The temple today has several sub-shrines, including some hideous recent structures that ought to have never been erected.

Among the more aesthetic ones is a sanctum for Ayyappa. This has an interesting story behind it. In 1952, when the temple at Sabarimala was damaged by fire, a new idol was made and taken in procession to various parts of the country. When it came to Madras, it was housed at the Kachaleeswarar Temple. When the idol was taken back to Sabarimala, a portrait of the deity took its place and was worshiped. In the 1980's, this portrait was replaced by an image.

The temple forms a square, on three sides of which is the Kachaleeswarar agraharam, marking the traditional residential area. Was this endowed by Kalavai Chetty? To the rear of the shrine is a large tank. And fronting the temple is Kachali Pagoda Lane, a throwback to the old name. In the 18th century, this was the principal dancing-girl quarter of Madras. It has no vestige of that colorful past now. 

CONTACT DETAILS :
The telephone number is 044 2522 7177

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is at 77, Armenian Street, Chennai.


LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

 Entrance arch

SRI KANDASWAMY TEMPLE, KANDHAKOTTAM
This temple is a  Sri Kandaswamy / Sri Murugan on the Rasappa Street, Park Town, Chennai 600003


Moolavar : Sri Kandaswamy

Some of the important features of this temple are ..
The story of the temple goes like this. Originally Sri Kandaswamy was in Thiruporur. He hide himself in a karayan putru due to war between Britishers and Marathis. After the war was over Iraivan asked Thambiran to take and install him from putru ( ant-hill ), for which Thambiran ignored. Sri Kandaswamy got angry and not returned to the original sanctum. After some time Sri Kandasamy, in the form of snake. asked Sri Velur Marichetty to take him along with him  Sri Marichetty took Sri Kandaswamy along with Kanthappa Asari to Park town area and installed in this temple.

In the Square sanctum, Vinayagar, Veerabhagu, Urchavar, Urchava moorthangal, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Shiva and Parvathi, and Arumugar.

In Koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma Murugan, Kukkudanathar, Mahalakshmi, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswarar and Durgai.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Chidambaram swamikal, Dhandapani Swamigal, Kumaraguru Dasa Swamigal, Ramalinga Swamigal, Dwajasthambam, Arunagirinathar, Urchavar mandapam, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Kalvettukkal. On the opposite to Temple Tank, Thirukachi nambigal, Kirubanandhavariyar, Natarajar in wood finish ( May be wood too.. - Manikkavasakar, Ambal, Viyakrapathar and Patanjali muni ), Gnana Dhandapani, Palliyarai, 63var, Dharma Namasivaya, Velur MariChetty ( Who is the instrumental for this temple construction ), Urchava moorthangal.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The 1912 CE inscription on a Shop wall in mint street records the endowment of Midday Pooja, Karthigai Somavaram and Deepam functions, by T Raghava Parasad Lala's wife Kuppammal. For the same, a House with land situated at Chenna Pattinam Peththanayakan Pettai, Subramania Mudaliar Street. 

CONTACT DETAILS:
The telephone numbers are 044 2535 2191 & 92 and 044 2535 2190.
Web site : CLICK HERE 
Email: smdevasthanam@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH :
Walk-able distance from Pai kadai bus stop.
1 KM distance from Fort Railway station and Broadway bus stand.
0.5 KM from Central Railway station.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE


SRI EKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE
This temple is on the Mint street in Sowcarpet, Chennai 600003. About a KM distance from Kandakottam.

 The 7 tier Rajagopuram 

Moolavar : Sri Ekambareswarar
Consort   :

Some of the important features of this temple are...
16 Pillar mandapam with Rajagopuram is on the east and moolavar is also facing east. Moolavar is little tall and it is believed that if one could not go to Kanchipuram, can get the same blessings from this temple Sri Ekambareswarar. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner parkaram Suryan, Navagrahas, Virudhagireeswarar, Adi Sankarar, 63var, in L shape, Nalvar, Vinayagar, Sri Subramaniar, Vadaranyeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar Visalakshi, Jambukeswarar, Arunachaleswarar, Chandikeswarar, Kalatheeswarar, Chidambareswara, Palliyarai & Chandran.

In the outer prakaram Dwajasthambam, Palipedam, Nandhi mandapam, Ambal sannadhi dwajasthambam with simha vahanam, Vannimara Vinayagar, Arasamaram nagars, Nagalingeshwara under Arasamaram, Naga Ganapathy, Kala Bairavar, Anjaneyar.

A mandapam is in between inner and outer prakaram. In that sannadhi for Natarajar, Urchava moorthangal, Somaskandar, Dwara Ganapathy and Dwara Subramaniyar. Dwarapalakas are after this mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS 
The temple was built in Edayarpalayam, now called as Park Town by Sri Alingan Pillai  about 500 years before. Latter during 1680 renovated and kumbhabhishekam was conducted by Sri Alangathaapillai.

CONTACT DETAILS :
Telephone number : 044 2535 2933
Web site : CLICK HERE 

HOW TO REACH :
This temple is on the Mint street in Sowcarpet.
About a KM distance from Broadway Bus stand, Central Railway Station and Fort railway station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Moolavar vimanam with Rajagopuram in side view
 16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones
 Pillar relief in the 16 pillar mandapam  - two snakes 
The relief of  Sri Alinkan Pillai ? ( who is the instrumental in constructing this temple
A beautiful simha vahana in 16 Pillar mandapam  
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

Saturday 21 March 2015

Vadapalani Sri Murugan Temple and Sri Vengeeswarar Temple, Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 21st March 2015.
VADAPALANI - SRI MURUGAN TEMPLE  
We had been to Vadapalani Sri Murugan temple on this Saturday 21st March 2015. Last week my wife reminded me to go to this  temple after her knee pain cured. So she wish to thanks Lord Sri  Murugan and offer salt and peeper.  We reached the temple little late  and there was not much crowd, even though it was a holiday. Sanctum was closed after milk abhishekam. Waited and had the darshan of Sri Lord Murugan. Tried to have the darshan at mupperum siddhar temple also, but  to my bad luck it was closed. The details of the temple are as follows.


Moolavar : Sri Murugan

Some of the important features of this temple are..
The temple is facing east with Rajagopurams on all the four sides of which South side Rajagopuram is the tallest. Temple Tank on the east with a neerazhi mandapam. Dwajasthambam with Balipeedam are at the east side entrance.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Sri Ganapathy, Sri Chokkanathar, Sri Valli devasena Subramaniar, Sri Meenakshi, Sri Arumugar, Sri Arunagirinathar, Sri Anjaneyar, Chandran,  Suryan, Madappalli, Kalyana mandapams, Urchava mandapams.  Sudhai sipangal of  Sri Murugan’s story of Palani and Swamimalai in the maha mandapam.

The temple consists of Sanctum, Artha mandapam and maha mandapam. At the entrance of maha mandapam, Ganapathy, Muthukumarasamy, and Idumban.

In the inner prakaram  Suryan, Naalvar, Sri Vaiyapuri Pandyan,  Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sri Veerabhadra, Sri Naga Subramaniar, Natarajar and Urchavars,  Chandran and Chandikeswarar.

In koshtam Maha Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu Subramaniyar, Brahma and Durgai. The temple is constructed like a Shiva temple except moolavar.

Moolavar is Sri Murugan in standing posture of about 4 feet high. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum.

Tonsuring place, Pasumadam, Kalyana mandapam, Mupperum Siddhar temple are at  the west side of the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Telephone number is 044 2483 6903
www.vadapalaniandavartemple.tnhrce.in
e-mail  vadapalaniandavartemple@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is very near to Vadapalani bus stop and new Metro  Railway station.
Lot of town buses available from various parts of Chennai city.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:CLICK HERE
 
 South side 5 tier Rajagopuram 
 West side Rajagopuram 
 Mupperum siddhar's temple 
 Temple Tank with neerazhi mandapam 
 Temple arch on the south side 
 a Bhairava Siddhar on the south side temple street 

SRI VENGEESWARAR TEMPLE, VADAPALANI.
Utilising this opportunity we also had the darshan of Sri Vengeeswarar. When we stayed at Ashok Nagar I visited this temple. At that time it was very small and renovations has not been carried out. 15 year passed. The Kumbhabhishekam was carried out recently and mandala pooja was also concluded. Lot of renovations has been carried out with rajagopuram and additional sannadhis.
 
 East side 7 tier rajagopuram 

Moolavar    : Sri Vengeeswarar
Consort      : Sri Santhanayaki

Some of the important features of this temple are.
The temple facing east  with a 7 tier Rajagopuram and small gopuram on all the other three sides. Moolavar sanctum is of Gajabirustam type and little lower than the ground level. The temple was built with sanctum, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum and moolavar is of little big in size. In koshtam, Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durgai and Chandikeswarar.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Suryan, madapalli, Urchavar kalyana mandapam, Sri Vara siddhi Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Urchavar mandapam, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Saneeswarar,  Yagasalai.

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi like a temple with reliefs at the entrance.  A stucco image of Ambal on the east side wall of inner mandapam.

It is believed that the Viyakrapada munivar ( Pulikal – tiger leg - munivar – to climb trees to plug flowers for Shiva ) worshiped lord Shiva of this temple Lord Shiva.  The temple is in Puliyur kottam of Thondai Nadu.  Hence This puliyur may be derived from this temple story.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Telephone number is : 044 2483 8362

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is very near to Vadapalani bus stop and new Metro  Railway station.
Lot of town buses available from various parts of Chennai city.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 North side gopuram 
 Gajabirusta moolavar vimanam
 Temple view from inner side 
West side Rajagopuram with Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar sannadhi 
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA: ---

Monday 16 March 2015

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.

 16, March 2015. 
It was a long wish to go to Rameswaram. I had been to this temple earlier during 1980’s. It happened just like that. It was not planned. I applied for LTC, when I was working with M/s SPIC. They sanctioned me, but I was forced to avail a week holiday. Self and my wife started without planning. On reaching Tuticorin bus stand a bus was waiting to Rameswaram. Boarded in the bus and reached Rameswaram mandapam and from there by train and had darshan of Sri Ramanathaswamy. The road bridge was not constructed at that time. Now 35 years passed.  Due to age I could not recollect my memories completely.  Also I would like to do some pooja to my ancestors.  This time planned in advance. Since my son and daughter could not joined with us, my son booked  for me and my wife.

Started our yatra from Chennai on 13th March 2015 through Sethu express and reached Rameshwaram around 4.30 Hrs on 14th March 2015, Saturday.  Booked our stay at  Trichy Swamigal Nilayam, on the south mada street  through Mr Nachiappan, who is one of my well wisher. The Subramania Sastrigal was also arranged for performing the pooja and Pithrukadan through the caretaker Mr Ramasamy Chettiar.

On reaching Rameswaram, pooja and pithru dosham/ kadan homam was performed at Sasthrikal’s residence. After pooja and homam left the pindam at Agni theertham and had a bath. Again the abhisheka water was poured on us and paid the thatchanai to the sastrigal.

In the temple the crowd was not much. But the paths and corridors are full of water to devotees holy bath in the 22 theerthams. Went through the special darshan counter  and had the opportunity of milk and Ganga water Abhishekam darshan to moolavar. In the Ambal temple also we had the dharshan sitting on the sanctum  entrance steps. As usual went around all the corridors and sannadhis and noted down the details for writing this post.

SRI RAMANATHASWAMY TEMPLE, RAMESWARAM.


This is the 252nd Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 8th sthalam of Pandya Nadu. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 East side Rajagopuram with Sethupathy mandapam 

Moolavar    : Sri Ramanatheswarar
Consort      : Sri Parvathavarthini

Some of the important features of this temple are...
The moolavar is of bana lingam (1) about 2 feet height. On the head  a five headed hood Nagam like umbrella. It was believed that the sanctum was constructed ( from one of the epigraph ) during 1414 by the Sri Lankan king Pararaajaseka with the stones brought from Thirukonamalai ).

In Artha mandapam, Abhisheka platform and Upachara medai of 36 feet square. Vinayagar on the left and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar at the entrance of sanctum. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of moolavar sannadhi with korai tooth. 

Maha mandapam is in front of artha mandapam and people used to worship from her. There are two Lingas  on either side of maha mandapam.

On north west Anjaneyar and on southwest Ramar, Seetha and Lakshmana Anjaneya Urchavars in cheppu/ copper are there.

Moolavar Vimanam is of two tiers with stucco images. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar,  Brahma and Durgai. Chandikeswarar is on the opposite to Durgai.

Urchavar Somaskandar (2a) is in a separate sannadhi on the south side of Chandikeswarar with karuvarai and artha mandapam. Somaskandar and  Amman are in a separate pedam in a separate sannadhi on the south side to sanctum sanctorum.

On the back of urchavar sannadhi on the northwest  Seetha, Ramar and Lakshmanan are in a separate mandapam.

Kasi Viswanathar sannadhi (2) is on the north side of Sri Ramanathaswamy sannadhi. It was believed that the moolavar was brought from Kasi. Pooja is conducted to Kasi Viswanathar first and latter to Sri Ramanathaswamy. The sannadhi is like a separate temple with artha mandapam and single tier vimanam and stucco images.

The corridor Around Sri Ramanathaswamy and Sri Kasi Viswanathar sannadhi is called as First Prakaram. In the 1st prakaram sannadhi for, Usha Suryan and Prathyusha (3), Sahasra Linga(4), Cheppu  and stone thirumeni of 63 Nayanmar ( 5a & 5b), Sekkizhar, Saraswathy(6) on  Pathrapedam, Vinayagar (7), Sankaranarayanar(8) ( Shiva in half and Thirumal other half ), Arthanareeswarar (9) with their vahanam Rishabam and simham, Chandrasekar & Gowri (10) in separate pedam,  Sri Valli Devasena sametha Murugan(11), Gajalakshmi (12), 11 Lingams of Ekatha rudhrars (13) and Visalakshi Amman (Kasi Visalakshi (14) is in a separate temple like sannadhi with artha mandapam and Vimanam), Saba mandapam (15), Jyotir lingam (16),  Krithika, Chandran, Rohini (17).

Rishaba mandapam, Dwajasthambam and balipeedam (18 & 19) are at the entrance of first corridor. Rishabam is of little big (22 feet length, 12 feet width and 17 feet high ) made of stucco /sudhai. Viswanathar and Krishnappa Nayak reliefs are on the mandapa pillar. The Nandhi has Urchavar, Vahana and moortham like Thirumazhapadi. Navagrahas (20) are on the north side of Rishaba mandapam.

Maha Ganapathy (21) sannadhi sanctum sanctorum  with a vimanam in on the south side. Devi is on the lap of Sri Vinayagar. Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (22) is on the north side. The construction is similar Sri Vinayagar Sannadhi.

Parvathavarthini Amman sannadhi (23) is of separate temple type with Sanctum, Artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and corridor. The vimanam is of single tier type with stucco images. Amman temple is on the right of Moolavar temple. Amman is in standing posture on a padma peetam and Sri Chakram is also installed. Chandikeswari is on the north side facing south. In Amman temple corridor Santhana and Sowbhagya Ganapathi (24),  Saptamatrikas (25)  ( Brahmi, Maheswari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Vaaraki, Indrani and Samundi.), Pallikonda Perumal (26) and  Palliyarai (27). Ashta Lakshmis (27a) are at the passage from first prakaram.

Sukravara mandapam (28) is out side Parvatha Vardhini Amman Temple. The mandapam has 32 pillars with  reliefs. On the south corner Sri Kalyanasundareswarar,  Suryan are facing east Brahma and Vishnu are facing north. On the north west Ashtalakshmi (27a) in a single stone slab. In the center of the mandapam Rishabam and Dwajasthambam on a separate platform.

Navasakthi mandapam (29)  is on the way to second corridor from Sukravara mandapam. Between this and Rishaba mandapam  is the Shiva Theertham (30).

The second corridor  is 352 feet on east to west direction and 244 feet on south to North with a width is 16 feet. Sannadhi for Vinayagar (31), Madappalli (32), Karuvoolam (33), Theerthams. Sethumadhava Sannadhi (34) is between 2nd and 3rd corridors. The sannadhi has Karuvarai, Artha mandapam and Maha mandapam and Vimanam. Vishnu sannadhis (35) on the North east direction. Sethumadhavar Sannadhi and Vishnu sannadhi  has an entrance  of sobhana type.

The third corridor is called  as Chokkattan mandapam. This has  1212 pillars  of 22 feet & 7.5 inches. The length is 649 feet  on east west direction and 395 feet on south to north direction with 15 feet width.  The platform height on both side is 5 feet. When we come out of Sri Ramanatha Swamy sannidhi in the third prakaram ceiling 12 Rashis with their Devadhas  in 32 squares. Vahana rooms (36),  Stucco images of Sethupathi and Veerabhadra (37)  from third corridor. Kothandaramar sannadhi (38) like a separate temple with sanctum sanctorum, Artha mandapam and vimanam, stucco images of Sri Ramalinga Pradistai (39)– Ramar, Seetha and Lakshmana, Sukrivan, Vibeesnar.

Natarajar Sannadhi (40) is on the third corridor with sanctum, Artha mandapam and maha mandapam. On the east Anuppu mandapam, has stucco images  and paintings  of Shiva’s dances. Mahalakshmi sannadhi (42), Anjaneyar sannadi, Sethupathi mandapam (41), Kalyana mandapam (44).

The east Rajagopuram(45) is of 126 feet with 9 tiers & 9 kalasams. This construction was started during 1629 by Thalavai Sethupathi and completed in 1904 by Nattukottai nagarathar A.L.A.R family.

The  West Rajagopuram (46) is of very old construction with full of stone during 1434 and the height is 78 feet with 5 tiers. Vinayagar  (21)and Sri Subramaniar sannadhi (22) are the front.

Under construction are Urchavar Kalyana mandapam (49)  at the south west corner, South side (48) and North side (47) 5 tier Rajagopuras.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple will be kept open for the devotees from 5 A.M to 9 P.M(except between 1 P.M and 3 P.M). The poojas are performed six times a day in this temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :
E-Mail ID : lordramnath2012@gmail.com
The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, 
Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - 623526. Ramanathapuram District.  
Phone No. : 04573 – 221223, Fax and Computer Section No. : 04573 - 223230

HOW TO REACH :
Train facility is available from  Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Thanjavur and other important cities. ( Train nos 755, 2790, 751, 0689, 6734, 753 from Madurai and 6713 & 6101 from Chennai ).
Bus facility is available from Madurai, Kanyakumari, Chennai and Trichy. It is also connected to Pondicherry and Thanjavur via Madurai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

DETAILS OF THE MAP
SL NO
DESCRIPTION
SL NO
DESCRIPTION
1
Sri Ramanathaswamy Sannadhi
31
Pillayar Sannadhi
2
Sri Kasi Viswanathar Sannadhi
32
Madapallai
2a
Somaskandhar Sannadhi
33
Karuvulam
3
Suryan Usha Prathyusa
34
Sethumadhavar sannadhi
4
Sahasra Lingam
35
Vishnu sannadhi
5a
63var ( cheppu )
36
Vahana mandapangal
5b
63var ( Stones )
37
Sethupathi and veerapathirar
6
Saraswathy
38
Kothandaramar sannadhi
7
Vinayagar
39
Sri Ramalinga Prathistai
8
Sankaranarayanar
40
Natarajar Sannadhi
9
Arthanareeswarar
41
Sethupathy Mandapam
10
Chandrasekar, Gowri, Pitchadanar
42
Mahalakshmi
11
Sri Murugan with Valli Devasena
43
Devasthanam Office
12
Gajalakshmi
44
Kalyana Mandapam
13
Eka sathrar – 11 lingas
45
East Rajagopuram
14
Visalakshi Amman sannadhi
46
West Rajagopuram
15
Natarajar  & Ambalavanar saandhi
47
North Rajagopuram
15a
Ambalavanar  Sannadhi
48
South Rajagopuram
16
Jyothi Lingam
49
Urchavar Kalyana mandapam
17
Krithika Chandran & Rohini
50
Devotees resting place
18
Nandhi mandapam with Palipedam & Dwajasthambam


19
Sudhai nandhi


20
Navagrahas


21
Mahaganapathy


22
Subramaniyar  Sannadhi


23
Parvathavardhini Amman Sannadhi


24
Santhana & Sowbakyavaganapathy


25
Sabtha mathakkal


26
Pallikonda Perumal


27
Palliyarai


27a
Ashta Lakshmis


28
Sukkiravara mandapam


29
Navasakthi Mandapam


30
Siva Theertham




 East side Sethupathy mandapam arch
 Sri Parvathavardhini Amman Temple entrance 
 Sri Ujjaini Maha Kali Amman Temple opposite to Main temple 
 Agni Theertham 
 Agni Theertham entrance arches
 A Pillayar temple on the north-east corner - East and North car junction. 
 Temple view from Trichy Swamikal Nilayam
 South side Rajagopuram under Construction
 Urchavar Kalyanamandapam near sout side Rajagopuram 
 The Chokkatan Mandapam - 3rd corridor south side entrance view
 North side Rajagopuram under construction
 West side 5 tier Rajagopuram 
 Kanchi mutt opposite to Agni theertham
 Agni theertham entrance arch
 Agasthiyar Temple after Agni theertham
 Boat ride jetty
 Temple entrance evening cloudy view 

 Ambal sannadhi entrance mandapam  
 3rd corridor  south side
 3rd corridor east side view 
 Corridor from Ambal temple to out side 
 Panoramic view of Sea

After dharshan hired an auto for the local holy places Ramar Patham, Sakchi Anjaneyar, Kothandaramar Temple, Ramar Theertham, Seetharamar Temple, Lakshman Theertham, Naganathar sannadhi and Panchamuga Anjaneyar.  

KOTHANDARAMAR TEMPLE.
Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple is on the sea shore. It is believed that Hanuman constructed the bridge  from here and the distance is 25 KM.
Sri Ramar Consducted the pattabhishekam for Vibeshanan  at this place.

In sanctum Ramar, Seetha and Lakshman. Garudalwar and Anjaneyar are on the right side. Garudalwar Sannadhi is on the opposite to moolavar sannadhi. Ramanujar Sannadhi is in the mandapam.

The temple is at an elevated level with 12 steps.  
 It was believed that the hanuman build the bridge to Srilanka from here - the distance is 25 KM
 Sri Kothanda Ramar Temple 

LAKSHMANAR THEERTHAM

Lamanan created this theertham and worshiped Lord Shiva to resolve his sin. The mandapam pillars are very much  similar to Sri Ramanathaswamy temple corridor pillars.

There is a Naganathar sannadhi in front of the temple.
 Sri Lakshmanar theertham Shiva Temple mandapam 

 Lakshmanar theertham with neerazhi mandapam

 NAGA NATHAR SANNADHI

PANCHAMUGA ANJANEYAR TEMPLE .
Some of the important features of this temple are.
The temple was maintained by BABA disciples. Panchamuga Anjaneyar’s big size relief is installed which is open to sky.

Sannadhi for Balalaya Anjaneyar, Stones used for the Ramar bridge, Ramar Seetha Lakshmanan and Hanuman.

It was believed that the 700 years old temple at Dhanushkodi, which was destroyed during 1964 tsunami  and the moorthams were brought here.  
 PANCHAMUGA ANJANEYAR 

SRI RAMAR PATHAM 
After Ravana was killed by Sri Ramar, he went to Thirumaraikadu to resolve his sin through this place. His foot prints are preserved in this place.  
 An abondened Anjaneyar relief panel 
 Island view from Ramar Patham 
 Island view from Ramar Patham 
 Sri Ramar Patha first level mandapam 
 SRI RAMAR THEERTHAM
 Sri Ramar Theertham- with neerazhi mandapam 

 SRI SAKSHI ANJANEYAR

SRI SEETHA RAMAR TEMPLE.
Some of the important features of this temple are...
In the sanctum Seetha, Ramar and lakshmanar. Garudalwar is at the front.

Ramar’s jathagam is painted on the front sanctum wall. Lot of nagars are under the vilva tree.

There is an old dilapidated mandapam on the back side of sanctum.
 Entrance arch - Sri Setha Ramar Temple 
 Mandapanm in ruins
 Moolavar Vimanam 

We couldn’t make a visit to Dhaunskodi, since  both were exhausted. After some rest I alone went around the temple and agni theertham to have a look of sea shore. I had the opportunity of visiting the Agasthiyar temple also. Vacated the stay and reached the railway station around 19.15 Hrs to catch the Sethu express scheduled to leave at 20.00 Hrs. Safely landed on 15.oo Hrs at Chennai. Thanks to Lord Shiva for the peaceful dharshan.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---