The
visit to this Sri Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple, a Gajaprishta Vimana Temple, was
part of the “Visit to the Eri kalvettu at Medavakkam and this Shiva temple at
Pallikaranai” on Vijayadhasami day, the 20th October 2026. The
temple is on the Major Mukund Varadharajan Road / Velachery Main Road at
Pallikaranai, about 500 meters from Sri Adhipureeswarar Temple.
Moolavar : Sri Vaidhyanatha Swamy
Consort : Sri Thaiyal Nayagi
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple faces east with a Pillaiyar Koil pond on the south side. Nagas are
under a peepal tree on the banks of the pond. Stucco images of a Shiva Lingam,
Nandi, Shiva and Parvati, Murugan and Vinayagar, various forms of Amman, Shiva,
Brahma, Maha Vishnu, and Agasthiyar are on the top of the parapet wall. Balipeedam
and a Rishabam are on a pedestal in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is
on a round avudaiyar. A small Rishabam and a balipeedam are in the antarala/
ardha mandapam. In the koshtam are Dakshiamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma.
In
the praharam are Ashta bhuja Durgai, Kubera Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena
Shanmugar, Palliyarai, Chandikeswarar, Anjaneyar, Vinai Theertha Vinayagar, Angaragan, and
Navagrahas.
Ambal
Thaiyal Nayagi is in a separate Sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a
standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam. In the koshtam are Maha Lakshmi,
Saraswati, and Varahi.
Ashta Bhuja Durga - Maha Vishnu
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple was built with bricks and cement concrete. The temple consists of
sanctum sanctorum, antarala / ardha mandapam, and common mandapam for parivara
deities. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised level with an upanam and pada
bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti
starts with pattikai. The pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with kudam,
kalasam, and palakai. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with
nasikudus. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape, but the vimanam over
the bhumi desam is in Gajaprishta style with one tala, greevam, and Gajaprishta
sigaram with three kalasas. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, and Brahma
are in the tala and Greeva koshtams.
Stucco image of Dakshinamurthy on the talam
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
As
per the Gurukkal, the Shiva Lingam and Rishabam are more than 300 years old and
came to the same spot as Swayambhu (may be unearthed during the process of new
construction). The present temple was constructed in recent years.
Anticipating
the antiquity of the Shiva Lingam, which may belong to the Pallava period, the temple
was constructed as the Gajaprishta Vimana Temple.
The
Vinaitheertha Vinayagar sannidhi is bigger than Shiva’s Sannidhi, since the
Vinayagar Sannidhi existed in the same place before the construction of the Shiva Temple.
LEGENDS
Since
Shiva cures all kinds of ailments, called as Vaidhiyanatha Swamy and considered
similar to Vaitheeswarankoil. Hence, devotees worship Shiva for good health and
prosperity in life.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha
Shivaratri, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Thaipoosam, New Year,
Navaratri (Kolu is displayed in the temple), and all important functions.
Navaratri Festival - Golu
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be open from 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30
hrs.
On
Tuesdays, Rahu kala poojas are conducted from 15.00 hrs to 16.30 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Raju Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile number +919840183397 for poojas
and further details.
HOW
TO REACH
This
Shiva Temple is on the west side of the Major Mukund Varadharajan Road,
Pallikaranai, also called Velachery Main Road, about 4.7 km from Velachery
MRTS railway station, 5 km from Medavakkam Koot Road, and 12 km from Tambaram
railway station.
The
nearest railway station is Velachery MRTS railway station.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
