This Sri Othandeeswarar Temple at Thimazhisai, is on the right side of the main road from Poonamallee to Thiruvallur. Thirumazhisai is the birthplace of Thirumazhisai Alvar, one of the 12 Alwars of Vaishnavism.
Moolavar : Sri Othandeeswarar, Kaithantha Piran,
Manonukooleswarar,
Consort : Sri Kulirntha Nayaki, Seethalambigai
Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a temple tank in front. The 5-tier Rajagopuram is on the south side. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam with a mandapam are on the east side. Dwarapalakas are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. Somaskandar is on the back side of moolavar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.
In the inner prakaram Chandran, Suriyan, Adhikara Nandhi, Nalvar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Somaskandar, A Rishabam, facing back side of moolavar, Natarajar, Rishabanayakar ( Rishabanthigar ), Natarajar, and Somaskandar.
Ambal Kulirntha Nayaki is in a separate sannidhi in Maha mandapam facing south. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
In the outer prakaram Sri Devaraja Ganapathi, Sri Gangatheswarar, Navagrahas, Valli Devasena Siva Subramaniar and Shaniswarar.
Ambal, Natarajar and Rishabanayagar Sannidhi Vimanas
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai, and pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus petals, kapotam with nasi kudus. The temple from adhistanam to prastaram was constructed with Stone. The Vimanam from Sanctum Sanctorum to Sigaram was constructed in the Gajaprishta / Gajabirushta style. The Superstructure / Vimanam above the prastaram was constructed with bricks and vimanam is of 3 tiers. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in tala; and greeva koshtams.
HISTORY:
Somaskandar is believed to be of Pallava Period and the temple was reconstructed during Chozha period. 11th -century Kulothunga Chozha-II period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam and Maha mandapam pillars. The latter rulers Vijayanagara and Nayaka kings also contributed towards the expansion of the temple.
Even though the temple is under the control of the HR & CE department, the Senguntha Mudaliars community takes care of the temple maintenance.
LEGENDS
மூலவரின் பின்புறம் பரமசிவன் பார்வதியின் கல்யாண கோலம் வடிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது. இது போன்ற அமைப்பு, திருவேற்காடு, அச்சிறுப்பாக்கம் சிவன் கோவில்களிலும் உள்ளது. இது கயிலாயத்தில் நடந்த சிவனுக்கும் பார்வதிக்கும் நடந்த கல்யாணகோலத்தை அகத்தியருக்கு இங்கு காட்டினார் என்று நம்பப்படுகின்றது.
In the sanctum wall behind Shiva Lingam relief of Shiva Parvati’s marriage is similar to the temples at Thiruverkadu and Achirupakkam. For the same, the story goes like this. During the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, all the Rishis and Devas assembled at Mount Kailash Due to this the north side of the earth went down and the south came up. To balance this Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go south, in turn, he promised to give his Kalyana kolam to him, whenever Agasthiyar wished.
மூலவரின் மேல் ஒரு வெட்டுக்காயம் இருக்கின்றது. இதற்கு ஒரு சரித்திரமும் உள்ளது. அதன் படி இரண்டாம் குலோத்துங்க சோழன் திருமுல்லை வாயிலில் இருந்து யானை மீது திரும்பும் போது வழியை கொடிகள் மறைத்ததால் மன்னன் வாளால் வெட்டி வழியை உண்டாக்கினான் அப்போது அவனுடைய வாள் பூமியின் அடியில் உள்ள சிவலிங்கத்தின் மீது மோதி வெட்டு பட்டு இரத்தம் கசிந்தது. மன்னன் தான் பாவ காரியம் செய்து விட்டதாக நினைத்து தன் கையை வெட்டிக்கொண்டான். சிவபெருமான் குலோத்துங்க சோழன் முன் தோன்றி அவனுடைய பக்தியை மெச்சி மீண்டும் கைகளை வழங்கி அருளினார். அதனால் சிவன் கைதந்த பிரான் என அழைக்கப்படுகின்றார்.
As per another legend, Kulothunga Chozha II, while returning from Thirumullaivoyal on the elephant the way was obstructed by the creepers. So the king cleared the way by cutting the creepers with his sword. At one place blood appeared from the ground. On inspection, they found that the blood was coming from a Shiva Lingam. The King feels guilty of cutting the Shiva Lingam and he cuts off his hand. Shiva appeared and appreciated his devotion and gave back his hand. A scar can be seen on the moolavar. Hence Shiva is called Kaithantha Piran.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chathurti, pradosham, maha Shivaratri, Thai poosam, New Year's, Thai Pongal, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 06.30 Hrs to 11.30 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 21.00 hrs
CONTACT DETAILS:
The temple officer in charge Mr Sivanantham may be contacted for further details the mobile number is +91 9841557775
HOW TO REACH:
The temple with the tank is on the main road from Poonamallee to Thiruvallur.
Private buses from Poonamallee to Thiruvallur pass through this place.
Government buses are available from various parts of the city.
Nearest Railway station is Thiruvallur.
SOME OLD PHOTOGRAPHS
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---