Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple/ Brahma Purishvarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ பிரம்மபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Mamandur/ Mamandur Vadapathi Village, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple at Mamandur Vadapathi was part of the “Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit” on 10^th October 2026. This place, Mamandur, is on the banks of the River Palar and comprises two small villages called Thenpathi and Vadapathi. This Brahmapureeswarar Temple is in the midst of the village of Mamandur Vadapathi.

Moolavar  : Sri Brahmapureeswarar

Consort    : Sri Dharmasamvardini, Sri Aramvalartha Nayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the south side. Stucco images of Dwarapalakas, Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, are on the entrance arch.  Balipeedam and Rishabam are on the east side of the temple. Sri Annapoorani’s sannhidhi at the south side entrance. Vinayagars are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. Two Shiva Lingas and a Rishabam (Sri Adhi Shiva and Ambal), Utsava Murtis, and Ambal are in the ardha mandapam. In the koshtam: Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam are Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Navagrahas, and Suryan.

Ambal Sri Dharmasamvardini is in a separate Sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam.

Ambal - Dakshinamurthy

 Vinayagar - Maha Vishnu

 Brahma - Chandikeswarar

 Durga - Bairavar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple does not follow any temple architecture.  One tala, grevam and vesara sigaram is over the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple is more than 500 years old and received contributions from Vijayanagaras/ Vijayanagara Nayakas.

As per Wisdom Library, the temple owns 973 acres of dry and 170 acres of wet lands, which fetch a considerable income. This income is utilized for its expenses.

The temple is under the control of the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department, under the Oru Kala Pooja scheme.

Ashtabandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 29^th April 2007.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Brahma, Narada Maharishi, and Sage Mandooga  worshipped Shiva of this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Arudhra darshan, Amavasya days, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru Kala poojas are conducted, the temple will be open from 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Gurukkal's mobile number, +910444880630, may be contacted for further details and poojas. Also, the Gurukkal is staying near the temple. 

HOW TO REACH

The Mamandur Vadapathi is on the GST Road, just after Chengalpattu Palar Bridge, and the temple is 2 km from the GST Road.  

The temple is 10 km from Chengalpattu, 27 km from Madurantakam, and 38 km from Tambaram and 42 km from Melmaruvathur.

The nearest Railway Station is Chengalpattu.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Pidari Amman Temple/ Saptamatrikas Temple/ Hero Stones/ வீரக்கற்கள்/ நடுகற்கள், Mamandur, Mamandur/ Mamandur Thenpathi Village, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Pidari Temple, a Grama Devathai Temple, at Mamandur - Thenpathi, was part of the "Gajaprishta Vimana temple's Visit" on 10th October 2026. This temple is on the north side of Sri Picheeswarar Temple, a Gajaprishta Vimana Temple. This temple is also in the midst of the paddy fields, like the Shiva Temple.

Moolavar: Sri Pidari Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces west with a trishul and a balipeedam. In the sanctum, Pidari is at the centre with jwala makuda, and on both sides are the Saptamatrikas. (Saptamatrikas – Brahmi, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi). Usually, Vinayagar and Yogeswarar/ Shiva will be on both sides of the Saptamatrikas group.

There are 4 Hero Stones installed under a neem tree facing east.

 Pidari

 Varahi

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was built with bricks without vimanam. The construction does not follow any temple architectural style. No koshtas are provided.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Based on the iconography, the Saptamatrikas group may belong to the Pallava period. 

HERO STONES/ MEMORIAL STONES

TITLE              : Hero Stones  

PLACE             : Mamandur - Thenpathi

LOCATION       : In the midst of the paddy field.

PERIOD           :16th to 17th Century.

DETAILS         :

The Hero stones are in the form of bas-reliefs. This group consists of 4 hero stones. All Heros hold a sword in the right hand and a shield in the left hand. One Hero is shown riding on a horse with a raised sword.

As per the experts, these Hero Stones are erected in memory of the Heroes who were killed in a war.  

HOW TO REACH

The Mamandur Thenpathi is on the GST Road, just after Chengalpattu Palar Bridge, and the temple is 1 km from the GST Road. 

The temple is 11 km from Chengalpattu, 25 km from Madurantakam, and 40 km from Tambaram and Melmaruvathur.

The nearest Railway Station is Chengalpattu. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Jalakandeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ ஜலகண்டேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Kokilamedu/ Kokkilamedu, Mahabalipuram/ Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Jalakandeswarar Temple at Kokkilamedu was part of the Mahabalipuram Adi Varaha Cave Temple and “Gajaprishta Vimana Temple Visit” on 20^th September 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Jalakandeswarar

Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east. Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Vinayagar and Murugan are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is a little tall on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the inner praharam, Ambal (in antrala portion), Bairavar, Chandran, and Suryan. In the outer praharam, Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar, and Shiva Lingam made of mud.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi, in antarala, in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was built with bricks and cement concrete. The temple consists of Gajaprishta sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and maha mandapam. The entrance to the temple is from the south through the antarala. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The pilasters are Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, and palakai. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The Gajaprishta vimanam over the bhumi desam is with greevam, sigaram, and 3 kalasas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Before the construction of this temple, a Shiva Lingam made out of mud was worshipped by Ka. Chinnakannu Nayakar. When thinking of constructing a new temple, the mud Shiva Lingam was retained.

Mud Shiva Lingam

Ka. Chinnakannu Nayakar

LEGENDS

Shiva came in the dream of Ka. Chinnakannu Nayakar, who is the founder of this temple, to construct a permanent temple at the same place. As per the instruction of Shiva, the present temple was constructed as a Gajaprishta Vimanam, since the temple is close to 5 Ratas in Mahabalipuram and a copy of the Nakula Sahadeva Rata.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular or kala poojas, special poojas/ naivedyam are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru Kala poojas are conducted, the temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 08 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Govindaswamy, one of the Sivanadiars and a descendant of the founder, Ka Chinnakannu Nayakar, performs the poojas, as there is no income to pay the Archakar.

Mr Govindaswamy’s mobile number +919710015505 may be contacted for poojas and other details.  

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Kokkilamedu is about 2.2 km from Five Ratas, 3.4 km from Mahabalipuram Shore Temple, 20 km from Kalpakkam, 21 km from Thirukalukundram, and 31 km from Chengalpattu.

The nearest railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Chandikeswarar - Brahma

Chandran - Suryan

Bairavar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Thiruvakatheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar Temple/ அருள்மிகு திருவகத்தீஸ்வரமுடைய மகாதேவர் கோயில், Elangadu, Tiruvannamalai District/ Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiruvakatheeswaramudaiya Maha Devar Temple at Ponnur was part of “Durga/ Kotravai, Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples around Vavdavasi” on 12th September 2026. I sincerely thank Mrs. Uma Jairam and Ramkumar Chandrasekaran for taking me to these places.

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the special features of this temple are….

The temple faces east. Balipeedam and reishabam are in front of the temple. Vinayagara and Murugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. The moolavar is on a round avudaiyar.

In the praharam are Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, and Navagrahas.

PC - website

PC - website

 Pallava period Chandikeswarar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The temple was built with stone from adhistanam to prastaram with stone. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The botti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Brahama kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The brick vimanam above the bhumi desam has 2 talas, greevam, and vesara sigaram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the temple belongs to the 8^th to 9^th centuries, the Nrpatunga Pallava period, and later received contributions from the Cholas and Vijayanagaras. But there is no epigraphic evidence. Based on the iconography of Chandikeswarar, the Historians believe that the temple belongs to the 9th-century Pallava Period.

LEGENDS

It is believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed and worshiped in Thondai Mandalam by Agathiyar on the way to Pothigai Hills to balance the earth during Shiva and Parvati’s celestial wedding. Hence Shiva is called Sri Agatheeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The temple is under palalayam. Moolavar, Ambal, and koshta images are shifted to the shed, and regular poojas are conducted.

The donors may contact the trustees for the completion of the renovation of the temple.

 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since the temple is under plalayam, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Ilangadu is on the Ponnur - Ilangadu – Vandavasi Road.

The temple is 2 km from Vandavasi to Tindivanam State Highway, 7 km from Vandavasi, 34 km from Mel Maruvathur, and 38 km from Tindivanam. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---