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 the 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 sundhari.

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 of 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 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 9^th century  Shiva lingam was under the bilva / Vilva tree facing east and Vinayagar was under Vanni tree facing  west in separate sannadhis.

During 12^th century  a merchant called Sathayan built the corridors and made arrangement for the daily poojas.  Latter between 15^th to 17^th century the temple was renovated  with the help of Pandya  sthapathis ( whose  fish reliefs can also seen  in the temple ) and outer compound walls are also constructed. During 1919 to 1925,  3 tier vimanas are constructed on moolavar,  Ambal and Vinayagar sanctums.

From 1957 CE the temple came under the control of HRCE 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. 

 During 1919 to 1925,  3 tier vimanas are constructed on moolavar,  Ambal and Vinayagar sanctums. 

LEGENDS

Devotees believes that, this temple is the Vaippu sthalam for the Padal Petra sthalam of THIRUNARAIYUR near Kattumannarkoil near Chidambaram. Hence called this temple as 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 opened 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 on every 4^th Sunday and Uzhavarapani is being carried out on  second Sundays  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 the  Brahmin street about 500 meters from Saidapet Sub-Urban railway station.

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

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

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

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---