Sri Avundeeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீஆவுண்டீஸ்வரர் கோயில், நேமம் / Nemam, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Avundeeswarar Temple at Nemam was a part of the Shiva, Maha Vishnu, and Amman Temples visit, near Poonamallee & Aranvoyal in Thiruvallur District/Tiruvallur District on 05^th December 2021. Initially, it was planned to visit the Shiva temples of Nemam and Kuthambakkam, the other temples were added as an extension to the above temples and recommended by devotees of the temples and Sivachariyars.

 

Moolavar  : Sri Avuundeeswarar

Consort    : Sri Amirthambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east on the northeast corner (Eesanya moola) of the village. The entrance to the temple is from the west side (back side) with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. The entrance to the shrine is from the south with a mandapam. The temple tank / Agni theertham / Pithru Theertham is in front of the temple. Balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam are on the east side with an opening to see moolavar. Moolavar is of swayambhu and tall. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam Amirtha Vinayagar, Maha Ganapathy,  Veerabhadra, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Kasi Viswanathar, Dhyana mandapam with photographs of 18 siddhars, Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Saptha Kannis, Jyeshta Devi / Mootha Devi with Mandhan and Mandhi

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in Maha mandapam. The Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya and varada hastam. Ambal’s head is not straight but inclined as if She is hearing the devotee's prayers. The Legs are in a position such that She is coming towards the devotees. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is with Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The Vimana is on a padma peedam with jagathy, three patta kumuda, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The Bhitti / wall is supported by the Vishnukantha pilasters with a square base and Naga Bandham. The Pilasters and Kumbha Panjaras are up to half the height of the wall. Above that it was constructed with sandstone. (only available stones are used during reconstruction). 

A two-tier stucco Gajabirushta  Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum with 5 Kalasas. Stucco images of Lord Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the first level and Greeva koshtam. Stucco image of a Maharishi / Siddhar is in the lalada nasi of vimanam. Apart from this, there are some siddhars / Rishis images also on the Vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the Chozha period  may be 11^th to 12^th Century (the temple authorities claim that the temple was built by Jayangonda Chozha (Rajadhiraja Chozha-I ..? and 1500 years old) and renovated during the Vijayanagara period. 16^th to 17^th Century inscriptions are found on the adhistanam pattikai.

Due to age and without maintenance, the temple has become dilapidated and unapproachable due to the growth of vegetation, and shrubs. The Vimana was also damaged completely. The temple was reconstructed again and Ashtabandhana maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 20^th September 2010 at a cost of Rs one crore. Thanks to the trustee  G N Kumar for all his efforts to bring back this temple to life from the debris.

LEGENDS

As per the legend when the temple was in dilapidated condition the temple was completely covered with debris and sand. The weeds and shrubs were grown on it. One of the cows of a herd grazing in that area was pouring milk on the Shiva Linga daily. On seeing that, the herdsman started beating the cow. Immediately Lord Shiva appeared and hugged the cows to avoid getting hurt. Hence Lord Shiva is called “Avundeeswarar”. The marks of beating and a dimple mark due to the pouring of milk by the Cow can be seen on the moolavar.

It is believed that after pralaya, Brahma started his creation by sprinkling Amirtha at this place Nemam. Devas offered amirtha to goddess Ambal Amirthambigai. Since creation started from this place, this place was called Amirtha Janma Bhoomi. So Ambal grants child boon to her devotees, who pray to her.

It is believed that 18 siddhars  and Ashtadikpalakas worshiped Lord Shiva at this temple. This is an Iykya sthalam for the Kantha Siddhar. It is further believed that the temple was reconstructed under the guidance of 18 siddhars. Hence stucco images of siddhars are made on the Gajabirushta vimanam. 

This is a parihara sthalam for those who are born in Magam and Pooram nakshatra. Since this temple is on the Eesanya moola of this Village, this place is believed to be a mukti sthalam and a Pitru dosha parihara sthalam. Those who couldn’t go to Kasi can do pitru pariharam at this temple since this temple is believed equivalent to Kasi. To get rid of the problems due to Shani dosha, prayer is offered to Sri Amirtha Yogeeswara Bhairavar.

Devotees pray to Lord Shiva and Amithambigai to remove marriage obstacles ( Glass bangles are offered to Ambal and prayed ), child boon ( for the same Ko pooja is offered at the temple ), etc,. It is believed that women should worship Lord Shiva of this temple at least once in a lifetime. The person whose name starts with “Go” should worship throughout their lifetime.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on monthly pradosam, Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri ( Bangles will be offered by the devotees ), Sankatahara Chaturthi, Vinayagar Chathurthi etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs,

CONTACT DETAILS

The Trustee G N Kumar +91 98407 70248, +91 97907 31975, and Gurkkam Udhaya Kumar +91 94441 29438 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 2 KM off from Poonamallee to Thiruvallur Main Road, 10 KM from Thiruninravur, 11 KM from Poonamallee, 15 KM from Thiruvallur, 25 KM from Koyambedu and 31 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest Railway station is Thiruninravur and the bigger station is Thiruvallur. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---