Sri Chintamaneeswarar Temple / Chinthamaneeswarar Temple at Karungali / Pulicat - A Travel to Chozha period Temples and and Dutch Heritage Sites

 15^th, March 2016.

Once during our usual conversation in our office, one of my colleagues told me that he studied his Plus 2 at Ponneri, and his mother’s sister is working at the Pazhaverkadu Lighthouse. So I asked him to take me to Pazhaverkadu to see the lighthouse and some of the Shiva temples in and around Pazhaverkadu. Thought of visiting the Shiva and Vishnu temple, which once came in the media about the reconstruction, and our R.E.A.C.H Foundation and Temple revival team is also associated with that. It happened long ago. At the beginning of this month, I once again reminded my colleague. He agreed to take me on 13^th March 2016. I was a little thrilled to see the lighthouse, Pazhaverkadu Dutch cemetery and some of the Shiva temples in and around Pazhaverkadu. Since he is staying at Kathivakkam, a part of North Chennai, he asked me to come to Kathivakkam railway station.

Started around 04.30 hrs from home in the West of Velachery via Guindy, Park, and Central, reached Kathivakkam through Nellore Passenger train around 07.30 hrs. My friend Mr Boominathan was waiting since 06.00 hrs and took me to all the places through a loaned Bullet Motorcycle from his brother. While starting, he asked me to ride, politely said ‘No’ and preferred a billion rider, since I am only accustomed to the old Bullets, which have brakes on the left and gears on the right (after the leg injury, both of my old bullets are idle at home, and a bullet lover is a different story).

We went through Kamarajar Port, North Madras Thermal Power Station (ETPP), L&T Shipbuilding Yard/Port, Kattupalli, ABENGOA Sea water desalination Plant, Kalanji, Karungali and finally reached Pazhaverkadu. The route is along the shore, and the road was too bad to ride.  The road went through forests in some areas without any human habitation. On the way, about 5 km before  Pazhaverkadu  (Karungali), we could see the reconstructed  Shiva temple on the banks of the River Kosasthalaiyar (Some people mention this as river Arani?).

SRI CHINTAMANEEWSWARAR TEMPLE  

( CHINTHAMANEESWARAR TEMPLE ) AT KARUNGALI.

During our visit, the temple was closed, and a few Devotees were waiting for the monthly/annual rituals of their ancestors.   Do not know when the Gurukkal will arrive for the pooja. This Part was written as a combined post along with other temples, and please click this link for the details of my earlier post. 

Moolavar    : Sri Chintamaneeswarar

Consort      : Sri Sivakamavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is situated between the Kosasthalaiyar River and the Sea without any human habitation, 2 km around the temple on the sand. The temple faces east without even a compound wall, and old temple pillars are used as fence posts. 

Sannadhi for Kalabhairavar, Navagrahas are outside the sanctum sanctorum, and Vinayagar, and Subramaniyar are named after Chinthamani.

  

Lord Shiva has five faces, and they are Isanam, That Purusham, Vamadevan, Sathyojaatham, and Agoram. This temple represents the Agoram. All five temples are on the banks of this river Kosasthalaiyar River (Brahmarayanya), and this temple is on the place where the river merges with the sea.

HISTORY 

The original temple is very old, and it is said that the temple was built during Chozha’s reign. The temple has been reconstructed recently with concrete, completely altering the old structure. The sanctum vimanam is of the Gajabirushtam type. The Locals discovered this temple when the kalasam was protruding through the sands. It is believed that the temple was created by Sattaimuni and later constructed by the Chozha Kings about 1000 years ago.

LEGENDS

It is believed that the temple is equivalent to Kasi and Rameswaram.  It is the best place to give rites to the ancestors on full moon day and no moon day.

This temple Shiva is a Kula Deivam for the local fishermen community, and Chitra Pournami is celebrated grandly.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple timings are not known, and one kala pooja is conducted.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Gurukkal Shanmugam may be contacted through his mobile 98402 14130 for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

This temple can be reached through road (many parts are not motorable) via Ennore Port, L & T Ship Building Yard/ Port, Kattupalli.

Alternatively up to Kattur by bus and from Kattur by boat to cross the river.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

………….To be continued ( Pazhaverkadu Light House ).