Sri Soundareswarar Temple, Vada Thirunaraiyur, Saidapet West, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

…… a continuation post to Marmalong Bridge, Teachers Training College, and Panagal Maligai. 

03^rd December 2016.

This Shiva temple is on Brahmin Street, after Meher Baba’s Ashram, on the banks of river Adyar. Had been to this temple under THE ADYAR – a cultural mapping, a Heritage walk on 03^rd December 2016 with 40 and odd heritage walkers.

Moolavar    : Sri Soundareswarar

Consort      : Sri Thiripura Sundari.

Some of the important features of this temple..

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram on the east side and an entrance arch on the south side.  Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Nandhi mandapam are immediately after the Rajagopuram.

In the outer prakaram  a mandapam, madapalli, Sthala Vrukshas ( Vilvam, Konrai and Vanni tree ) with Vanneeswarar sannadhi. It was believed that the Vanni tree is 800 years old. ( It is also believed that these three trees are Icha, Gana, and Kiriya sakthis.)

In the inner prakaram,  sannadhi for 63var, Ganapathy, Subramaniyar  and Saba mandapam. Ambal Sannadhi is facing south.  The Narai worshiping Lord Shiva stucco image is on the sanctum sanctorum south side entrance arch.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple existed since the 7^th century as per the East India Company’s documents, under Ancient Histories of Religious Hindu Temples, published in the year 1951, Volume- II, on page no 362. During the 9^th century, Shiva lingam was under the bilva / Vilva tree facing east and Vinayagar was under the Vanni tree facing west in separate sannadhis.

During the 12^th century, a merchant called Sathayan built the corridors and made arrangements for the daily poojas.  Later between the 15^th to 17^th centuries, the temple was renovated with the help of Pandya Sthapathis ( whose fish reliefs can also seen in the temple ), and outer compound walls were also constructed. From 1919 to 1925, the 3 tier vimanas were constructed on the main Sanctum Sanctorum, Ambal, and Vinayagar sanctums.

From 1957 CE the temple came under the control of the HR&CE department.

Thirupani was started on 13th July 1981 under HR & CE. Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 11th February 1988 and 11th March 2012. 

East side Rajagopuram thirupani was started on 23rd April 2010. 

 From 1919 to 1925, 3-tier vimanas are constructed on Moolavar,  Ambal, and Vinayagar sanctums. 

LEGENDS

Devotees believe that this temple is the Vaippu sthalam for the Padal Petra sthalam of THIRUNARAIYUR near Kattumannarkoil near Chidambaram. Hence this temple is called Vada Thirunaraiyur. It was also told that the stolen Vigraha was recovered back after reciting Abirami Andhadhi at  Ambal sannidhi.  

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs. All important functions are celebrated and mutrum othuthal is performed every 4^th Sunday and Uzhavarapani is carried out on the second Sunday of every month. During these times the temple will be kept open for an extended period.

CONTACT DETAILS:

For further details, Mr Chandrasekar may be contacted on his mobile 9445232564. 

Appar Arutpanimandram  9444382776 and 9840187387.

HOW TO REACH: 

The temple is on Brahmin Street about 500 meters from Saidapet Sub-Urban railway station.

About a km from Saidapet bus terminus and a lot of autos are available.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

… to be continued ( Sri Karaneeswarar Temple and Saidapet  Railway Station )

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---