Veerabhadra Swami Temple, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

12^th January 2020.

The Visit to this temple was a part of the Goddess of Mylapore Heritage Walk, curated by Mrs Padmapriya Baskaran on 12^th 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 Deities. Greco-Roman, a famous geographer of the 2^nd Century CE, mentions Mylapore as Mylarphan.  From ancient times Mylapore was called Mayilarpil, Mayilai, Tirumayilai, 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.

Mylapore is also known for many Village deities and this  Sri Veerabhadra Swami Temple is on the Madhava Perumal Koil Road, Mylapore.

Moolavar : Sri Veerabhadra Swami

Consort   : Sri Abhayambika

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....

The temple faces North with an entrance arch. The stucco image of Veerabhadra is on the arch. Veerabhadra is with 4 hands holding weapons. In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy faces south.

In the front mandapam Vinayagar,  Adhi Sankarar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sarabeswarar,  Vishnu / Perumal, Virpakshiswarar with Visalakshi, Thirupura Sundari.

In prakaram, Saneeswara, Navagrahas, Dhiyana Anjaneyar, Bala Vinayagar, Balasubramaniar,Vinayagar, Vilvanathar, Kala Bhairavar, Dhandayuthapani, Viruksha Ganapathy, Shiva Durga, and Vishnu Durga.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS.

It was said that the Moolavar was unearthed in this where the present temple exists. As per the historians, this Veerabhadra is one of the Ashtadikpalakas of Mylapore. The temple may be 100 to 200 years old and Moolavar may belong to Pallava / Chozha period.

LEGENDS

Ambal is called as Abhayambika. Since Ambal gave protection to Mayil- Peacock, hence called Abhayambika. The Mayavaram or Mayiladuthurai also has the same story. “It’s said that Soorasamharam- where Lord Muruga kills the demon Soora ) happens here where Lord Muruga gets his vel/ spear from Sri Abayambigai”  Also Abayambigai hold weapons instead of lotus flowers like Veerabhadra.

As per another legend, Ma Parvati’s father Daksha performed the Yaga without giving the share / Avirpakam and did not even invite Lord Shiva. Parvati got angry and argued with his father. When Daksha didn’t budge from Parvati’s demand, Parvati entered the Yaga gundam after cursing everybody who participated in the Yaga. Lord Shiva got angry and plugged his hair, creating Veerabhadra to destroy the Yaga. Veerabhadra destroyed the Yaga and chopped Daksha’s head. To the request, Veerabhadra cuts a goat’s head and fits to Daksha.

   

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 10.30 Hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Bala Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile 7401140355 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is on the Madhava Perumal Koil Road, 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

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---