Sri Meganatheswarar Temple / ஶ்ரீ மேகநாதேஸ்வரர் கோவில், Melakottaiyur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Meganatheswarar Temple at Melakottaiyur was a part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit at Urapakkam, Arungal, Kannivakkam, Kumuzhi and Melakottaiyur”, on 19^th February 2022. After Panchamukha Anjaneyar darshan, the Anjaneyar temple trustee directed me to this Chozha period temple.

 

Moolavar  : Sri Meganatheswarar

Consort    : Sri Megambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces west with Kodimara Vinayagar, Kodimaram, balipeedam, and Rishabam / Idabam.  The big temple tank is on the north side of the temple. Lord Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, with Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar are on the top of Mukha mandapam. Moolavar in the sanctum is on a square avudayar. The avudayar is very deep and couldn’t be taken out during the renovation. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Nagars and Flat stone  sculpture of Lord Shiva with 10 hands, standing on a snake / Nagar, hood.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi ( Maha Meru is installed in front of Ambal ) facing south in the inner praharam / Mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of the sanctum sanctorum and the Mukha mandapam. The praharam is constructed like a shanthara around the sanctum sanctorum and an opening with jolly was provided on the wall in front of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma. Since there is a small space around the sanctum sanctorum, Chandikeswarar is installed outside. A stucco Vesara Vimanam is above the sanctum sanctorum.

Vinayagar sannidhi - Gajaprishta style Vimanam 

Vinayagar sannidhi - Gajaprishta style Vimanam 

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar sannidhi

Lord Shiva..? on Snake hood

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple is believed to have been constructed during the Chozha period. The same was reconstructed in recent years. As per the inscriptions this place was, in Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu, Puliyur Kottathu Nedungkundra Nadu, and the place was mentioned as Kottayur.

The inscriptions on the two stone slabs are kept in the temple. One of these inscriptions belongs to Rashtrakuda King Kannara Devan and the other belongs to 10^th Century Rajaraja-I, Chozha period. The Kannadevan's inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp. Rajaraja-I's period inscription records the gift of land. ( Thanks Anbu for the details ) 

 

Kannaradevan Kalvettu

LEGENDS

It is believed that Suriyan worships Lord Shiva of this temple and Sunrays falls on Moolavar during sunset.

This is a parikara sthalam for Rahu and ketu. Devotees worship Lord Shiva of this temple to remove marriage obstacles, child boon, to get promotions in the Job, to get rid of Chronic deceases, etc,.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivartri, etc,.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number of the Gurukkal is +91 9962267285 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Melakottaiyur is about 500 meters off from Vandalur to Kelambakkam Road, 1 KM from VIT Campus,  11 KM from Vandalur, 16 KM from Tambaram and 43 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway Station is Vandalur and the big one is Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

A Suriyan statue is found under the Neem tree near Gangai Amman Temple on the other banks of Temple Tank. This may belong to this temple.

Gangai Amman Temple, Where Suriyan is installed

Suriyan, installed at Gangai Amman Temple may belong to the Chozha period

---OM SHIVAY NAMA ---  

Kumizhi, Shri Veera Panchamuga Anjaneya Swami Thirukkoil / குமிழி, ஶ்ரீ வீர பஞ்சமுக ஆஞ்சநேயா சுவாமி திருக்கோயில் / Sri Kanniamman Temple, Kumizhi Madura Mettupalayam / Melakottaiyur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Sri Veera Panchamukha Anjaneyar  and Kanniamman Temples at Kumizhi Madura Mettupalayam/ Melakottaiyur was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit at Urapakkam, Arungal, Kannivakkam, Kumuzhi, and Melakottaiyur”, on 19^th February 2022.

Main Deity: Sri Panchamukha Anjaneyar

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

The temple faces east with about 20 feet tall stucco image of Anjaneyar at the middle of the Steps ( Pancha Mukhas are. Hanuman, Hayagreeva, Narasimha, Garuda, and Varaha ).  Patala Vinayagar is on the left side after the entrance. On the right side are the Murugan Sannidhi and Navagrahas. Behind Anjaneyar Stucco's image is the Kannaiamman Shrine ( Sri Vaishnavi Kanni, Sri Subathrakanni, Sri Kaumarikanni, Sri Nagarajakanni, Sri Maheswarikanni, Sri Sumati Kanni, and Sri Pattarika Kanni ), on the left and steps leading Panchamukha Anajaneyar Shrine is on the right side.  

The Main sanctum sanctorum of Panchamukha Anjaneyar is on the middle level of the Hill. The idol is made of flat stone like a bass-relief. A bunch of Coconuts are tied on both sides of Mukha mandapam for prayers, by the devotees.

Coconuts tied as a part of Prayer

HISTORY

The original temple is 100 to 200 years old and reconstructed in recent years.

A Ramar padam installation is in progress. Also, it is proposed to Shift the Shiva Linga at Kanniamman Temple and build a separate Temple on the top of the Hill.

Ramar Pada

LEGENDS

It is believed that this Panchamukha Anjaneyar will fulfill the wishes, by tying Coconuts at this temple and praying for consecutive nine weeks.  

The significance of Pancha Mukhas is..... 

1. The face towards the East is Sri Anjaneyar, who removes all scars of sin and gives the purity of mind, 

2. The South facing mukha is the Sri Narasimhar, who removes the fear of enemies and gives victory, 

3. The West facing mukha is the Sri Garuda, who drives away evil spells, and black magic influences and removes all poisonous effects in one’s body,

4. The North facing mukha  is the Varahar, to ward off the troubles caused by bad influences of the planets and shower all prosperity  and Ashta Aishwarya and the last 

5. The face looking upwards of Sri Hayagreeva is for knowledge, victory, progeny, and mukti.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas special Poojas are conducted on Hanuman Jayanthi, Rama Navami,  Maha Shivaratri, Etc,. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The temple is being managed by Mr C. Adhikesavan. He may be contacted on mobile numbers +91 9710229549 and +91 9840341438 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on Nellikuppam Road, about 1 KM from Kumizhi Bus stop, 2.5 KM from Sri Vedagiriswarar Temple at Kumizhi, 5 KM from Melakottaiyur, 15 KM from Vandalur, 19.2 KM from Tambaram, 30 KM from Chengalpattu and 50 KM from Chennai.

Alternatively, Kumizhi can be accessed through Melakottaiyur /Kandigai on the Vandalur to Kelambakkam Road Via Nellikuppm Road

The nearest Railway station is Vandalur and the biggest station is Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Kanniamman Temple

Steps to Panchamukha Anjaneyar temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Vedagirishwarar Temple ( TSSASV ) / Kumizhi Shiva Temple / Vedagirishwara Temple / குமிழி வேதகிரிஸ்வரர் கோவில், Kumizhi, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

"மூன்று கிரி சூழவே மூண்ட வனத்திடை

தோன்றிய வேதகிரிஸ்வரரை - வேண்டியே

நாடுவோர் வாழ்வில் நலமெல்லாம் சேர்க்குமே

கூடுவாஞ்சேரிக் குமிழி!"

The visit to this Sri Vedagiriswarar Shiva Temple at Kumizhi was a part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit at Urapakkam, Arungal, Kannivakkam, Kumuzhi and Melakottaiyur”, on 19^th February 2022. This temple is a little away from the Kumizhi Village in the midst of the reserve Forest. Also, the temple is surrounded by the 3 small hills.

Moolavar  : Sri Vedagirishwarar

Consort    : Sri Thiripura Sundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

A Stucco Vinayagar 18 feet tall is at the entrance of the temple Complex. Valampuri Vinayagar, Idampuri Vinayagar, Nardhana Vinayagar and Panchamukha Vinayagar are at the base. The temple faces east with balipeedam and Rishabam under a mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

The parivara sannidhis are Anjaner ( opposite to Srinivasa Perumal Sannidhi ), Bairavar, Navagrahas, Chandran, Guru, Suryan, Ashtabhuja Durgai, Nalvar, Lakshmi Ganapathi, Ayyappan, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Sridevi Bhudevi Samedha Srinivasa Perumal. In addition to this Sannidhis for Saraswati, Kamakshi, Meenakshi, Visalakshi, Mahakali, and Periyapalayathamman in an ant hill, 18 Siddhars, Sapthakannis are in the praharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of Moolavar sannidhi, Ambal sannidhi, and Parivara Sannidhis are constructed individually. The Moolavar sanctum sanctorum is on a padabandha adhistanam with a threepatta kumuda.  A two tier dravida  Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam. There are no murtis/images in the first-level Rajagopuram.

The stucco bas-relief of Ayyapan’s story is around the Ayyappan sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION.

It is claimed that the original temple belongs to the Pallava period and was renovated during the 12^th Century Chozha period. During the Chozha period, this Kumizhi was the capital of Kumizhi Nadu under Jayangonda Chozhamandalam. ( The Chozha king Rajaraja's inscriptions at Kayar Sri Adaleswarar Temple, created interest to see this temple ).

The Original temple was built with bricks and the Kulothunga-I, period inscriptions are inscribed on a boulder on the hill opposite the temple.

The inscriptions ( ARE 1934-35 ) are in two verses in praise of Panchanadi Neelagangan, the protector of Kachchi and Mallai. Mentions Abhaya ( Kulothunga –I ). The other details are not known.

The temple was reconstructed through the Trust  குமிழி கிராம இர்ரெவொக்கபுள் டிரஸ்ட் ( Regd 1518/ 2012), under the leadership of Mr Vasu. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 1^st June 2012. 

   

Guru

LEGENDS

As per the legend about 900 years before this Pallava period temple was in dilapidated condition and completely covered with shrubs. A Brahmin of the Village was suffering from chronic disease, in addition to that he was mentally disturbed for not being able to arrange the marriage for his three daughters. He used to Pray to Lord Shiva daily. Knowing his situation Lord Shiva in the form of a passerby, told to the Brahmin to come to this dilapidated temple and worship Lord Shiva after taking a bath and applying mud all over his body of the Saroni Tank. As directed by the passerby, the Brahmin worshiped Lord Shiva after taking a bath and applying mud all over his body. Miraculously he was cured of the chronic disease within a month.

"சேறும் மருந்தாகும், தண்ணீரும் விருந்தாகும்

ஊறும் நோய்நொடிகள் ஓடிப்போகும் -

வேதகிரிஸ்வரரை வணங்கினால்"

Then in this Century Lord Shiva came in the dream of Mr Vasu the present trustee and showed the status of the temple and the Tank. With his effort and own money, the present temple was reconstructed.

It is believed that 18 Siddhars used to come to this temple to worship Lord Shiva.

This is one of the Prarthana Sthalam for Marriage, Child boon, To get peace, to get victory to every action, to get rid of chronic deceases, etc.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri,  Sankadahara Chathurti, Pournami Girivalam, Tuesdays, Fridays, and some important function days.

The Abishekam best for the deity and days are… Sunday – Vinayagar, Suriyan, Kala Bairavar, Monday – Sri Vedagiriswarar, Tuesday – Sri Murugan & Ashtabhuja Durgai, Wednesday – Srinivasa Perumal, Thursday – Sri Dakshinamurthy, Friday – Sri Sakthi Tripura Sundari and Saturday – Sri Anjaneyar. 

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar

Sridevi Bhudevi Samedha Srinivasa Perumal

Panchamukha Ganapthi

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 18.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The temple is being maintained by குமிழி கிராம இர்ரெவொக்கபுள் டிரஸ்ட் ( Regd 1518/ 2012). The Trustee S Vasu’s mobile numbers are +91 7397306627 and +91 9498063171 and the Legal advisor is Mr R Babu, who may be contacted for further details.

Website: https://kumizhi.weebly.com/

Email address: sritssaavkumizhi@gmail.com

Apart from the Trustees the priest Mr Sankar may be contacted for Poojas on his mobile number +91 7358738291.  

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 500 meters from Kumizhi Bus stop, 3 KM from Kannivakkam, 11.7 KM from Guduvancheri, 21 KM from Tambaram, 30 KM from Chengalpattu and 63 KM from Chennai.

Alternatively, Kumizhi can be accessed through Melakottaiyur /Kandigai on the Vandalur to Kelambakkam Road Via Nellikuppm Road ( Best Road ).

The nearest Railway station is Guduvancheri and the bigger station is Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Stucco image of Ayyappan's Story

Stucco image of Ayyappan's Story

Stucco image of Ayyappan's Story

Temple tank- Saroni

Direction Board at Kannivakkam Junction

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---