12th
January 2020.
The
Visit to this temple was a part of the Goddess of Mylapore Heritage Walk, curated
by Mrs Padmapriya Baskaran on 12th January 2020, in Connection with
Mylapore festival. Mylapore is a part of Chennai, one of the oldest and has the most historic places. The Historical places include Saptha Sthana Shiva
temples, Vishnu, and Village Deity Temple.
Greco-Roman, a famous geographer of the 2nd Century CE, mentions
Mylapore as Mylarphan. From ancient
times Mylapore was called Mayilarpil, Mayilai, Thirumayilai, Mahilup,
Mirapolis, Mirapor, and Malepur. During the Chozha period, Mylapore was under
Jayankonda Chozha mandalathu Puliyur Kottam. During the Pallava period, Nandhivarman-III assumed the title of
“Mayilai Kavalan” ie guardian or protector of Mylapore. This is the birthplace of Peyalwar also called Mudal Alwar.
Thirumazhisai Alwar and Thirumangai Alwar referred to Mylapore in their Pasurams.
Moolavar
: Sri Madhava Perumal
Thayar : Sri Amirthavalli
Some
of the salient features of this temple are.....
The
temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. A 4-pillar mandapa is in front of Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram.
Moolavar Sri Madhava Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi in sitting posture. The
procession deity Niranjana Madhavan ( Chinna Madhavan ) is with Sridevi and
Bhudevi. Peyalwar sannadhi is in the maha mandapam facing south. Stucco images
of Vishnu’s avatars along with Vishnu as Madhava Perumal with his consorts
are at the entrance of Artha mandapam.
In
the praharam, a 4 Pillar mandapam, Santhana Pushkarani / temple tank ( it is
believed that on Tamil month Masi Maham all the sacred rivers Join in this
tank ), Amirthavalli Thayar, Bhu Varaha ( Bhu Devi is on his left lap, popularly
known as Kannapiran..? ) Sannadhi, Andal, Ramar with Sita & Lakshmanan, Alwars
Periyalwar, Thondaradippodi Alvar, Thirupanalwar, Madhurakavi Alwar, Nammalwar,
Thirumangai Alwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar and Kulasekara Alwar, Thulasi madam
Paramapatha vassal with wooden doors carved with alwars, Glass / Mirror Room,
Urchavas / Procession deities.
ARCHITECTURE
The
sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and
a Mukha mandapam. The 24 pillared open mukha
mandapa is in front of maha mandapam.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
The
earlier records mention this place as Madhava Perumalpuram. As per the latter
period, temple inscription records that this temple belongs to the Pallava period,
as Thazhvarai Koil type of construction. Also, the inscription mentions that the
temple is more than 800 years old. A Chozha period inscription is laid as a
stepping stone of Thayar sannidhi. If this belongs to this temple, this temple
might have been built in the 10th
to 11th Century during the Chozha period or might have been brought from elsewhere. Vijayanagara period inscription is also found in this temple.
Parthasarathy, the deity of Thiruvallikeni visited this temple after 35 years
in 2008.
A 12th to 13th Century Rajaraja-II /III, period a fragment inscription of the Maha mandapam stepping stone records the endowment of burning a sandhi lamp by one Vedavana Perumal. In that words like Puliyur Kottam, Konda Chozha mandalam, etc,.
The
mukha mandapa was built during Vijayanagara period. A Two tier Vimana is on the
sanctum sanctorum. The Rajagopuram was constructed in 1962. In January 2007 Samprokshanam of this temple was performed. The Temple Tank Santhana Pushkarani
was reconstructed in 2010. Kumbhabhishekam was performed in 1997 and 2007.
In
1956 CE, Kanchi Maha Periyava during his 2-month stay at Sanskrit College,
Mylapore used to worship Sri Madhava Perumal of this temple, daily. He also
initiated for printing of Sthala Purana
from Palm leaf manuscript.
A Chozha period inscription used as a stepping stone in front of Thayar sannidhi
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, This place was referred to as Madhavapuram in Mayurapuri Mahatmyam of Brahmanda Purana. Vishnu mentions
Brighu Maharishi’s ashram at Madhavapuram as the best place to do penance to
Veda Vyasa’s question. Vishnu sent
Mahalakshmi to Brighu Maharishi’s ashram at Mayapuri, who was praying for a
Child boon. Mahalakshmi was brought up by Bhrigu Maharishi as Amirthavalli.
Vishnu as Madhava Perumal married Amirthavalli on Panguni Uthiram day. It is
believed that the present temple is situated in the place where Brighu
Maharishi’s ashram existed.
Since
Madhava Perumal married Amirthavalli Thayar, those desirous of marriage call
him “Prarthanai Niraivera Perumal”.
POOJAS & FESTIVALS
Apart
from regular poojas, Brahmotsavam ( Chithirai, Vasanthotsavam, Pavithrotsavam,
Tirukkoyilur Vaibhavam, Pagal Pathu & ra pathu Utsavam, Vaikunda yegathasi, Ratha
Saptami, Teppa Utsavam and Panguni Uthiram Thirukalyana Utsavam are celebrated
in a grand manner.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS:
The
temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to
21.00 hrs. During Margazhi month the temple will be opened at 05.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS:
The
temple’s office may be contacted on the landline at +91 44 24985112 for further
details.
HOW TO REACH:
This temple is on the junction of Mundakanni Amman Koil 4th lane and
Thyagarajapuram, Mylapore, Chennai.
The temple is 500 meters from Mundaka Kanni Amman Koil MRTS
Railway Station, 1 KM from Thirumayilai MRTS Railway Station, and 8 KM from
Chennai Central Railway Station.
Nearest Railway Junction is Chennai Central Railway Station.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Bhu Varahar sannidhi
Thayar Sannidhi
Santhana pushkarani - temple tank
Paramapatha Vasal
The entrance arch on the Mundakanni Amman Temple
A Model of the Temple
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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