Sri Kumbeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கும்பேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / கும்பேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில் / Ishta Siddhi Lingeswarar, சிற்றம்பாக்கம் / Chitrambakkam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kumbeswarar Temple Temple at Chitrambakkam was a part of the “Ashta Siddhi Temples” visit, located between Kosasthalaiyar and Koovam rivers, on the north side of Perambakkam. Shiva of this temple was also called Ishta Siddhi Lingeswarar. Apart from Shiva temples, on the way visited Perumal temples also.

Moolavar  : Sri Kumbeswarar & Ishta Siddhi Lingeswarar

Consort    : Sri Kuzhanthaivalli

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

The temple faces east with an entrance from the South side. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the mukha mandapam.  Vinayagar is on the left side of the sanctum sanctorum entrance. Moolavar is short on a raised avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam, Vinaitheerkum Vinayagar, Lakshmi Narayana, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, A Shiva Linga with square avudayar, Navagrahas, Kala Bairavar and  Pallava period flat, square inscriptions stone. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south, in standing posture with abhaya and varada hastam. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam.  The bhitti is supported by Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, and palakai. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasis. A two-tier nagara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. There are no images in the 1^st level koshtam. Stucco Murtis are in greevam. Maha nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions of sigaram. Kodi karukku works are on the 4 corners of the sigaram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was reconstructed in recent years completely with bricks and cement.  A 29-inch square stone slab with a lotus medallion at the center and 6 6-line inscriptions is lying at the entrance of the temple. This stone inscription was used as a stepping stone in front of the Selli Amman temple, just the back side of this Shiva temple. This inscription belongs to the 7^th Century Pallava Period. The inscription records the construction of a Temple. After Pallava’s rock-cut cave temples, it is believed that this is the earliest inscription found about the construction of a temple. This means the construction of temples might have started in the 7^th Century itself in Tamil Nadu. ( Mrs Padma Priya, of Alayam Kanden ). The inscription reads as...

1. Sri Maharaja Paramesvaravarummarkku yandu
2. Vadu Tunan- gilavarul= Alavayil Somasiya
3. ru – marumagan Kuma (ran).....
4. duppitta ko(yil )
5. ....... ali(vu)m se
6. Ydar tadumav=erkka(l)

As per the inscription Somasiyar’s son-in-law Kumaran of Alavayal, constructed the temple. This Place Chitrambakkam was called Thenkaranai. Thenkaranai may also be called Alavayal. Experts may comment on this. The temple / Koyil which is mentioned in the inscription is not known.

LEGENDS

This is one of the Ashta Siddhi Shiva temples ( 8 Shiva Temple ) located between the Koovam and Kosasthalaiyar rivers on the north side of Perambakkam in Tiruvallur District. It is believed that the Sage Agasthiya installed these 8 Shiva Lingas, worshiped and obtained Ashta siddhis. Each one of the 8 Shiva temples is associated with one of the Ashta Siddhis. The details of the Prakamyam Siddhi from Srimat Bhagavatham are...

Prakamyam - பிராகாம்யம்

அறிந்த பராசக்தி உள்ளே அமரில்

பறிந்தது பூதப் படை அவை எல்லாம்

குவிந்து அவை ஓர் ஆண்டு கூட இருக்கில்

விரிந்தது பரகாயம் மேவலும் ஆமே.

With this siddhi, one can fulfill all the wishes and desires. By worshiping Shri Ishta Siddhi Lingeswarar, now called Kumbeswarar of this temple at Chitrambakkam, one can obtain the siddhi of Prakamyam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on monthly pradosam, Kiruthigai, Chithirai Tamil New Year, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Maha Shivaratri, etc,.

 

Lakshmi Narayanar

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the exact time of opening and closing are unpredictable, but between 08.00 to 10.00 hrs, morning pooja will be conducted. 

CONTACT DETAILS

The trustees +919445152916, +919884541609, Sakthi Gurukkal +9198936427, and Krishnan +919843525398 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is 3 KM from Perambakkam, 5 KM from Manavur, 6 KM from Senji Panambakkam railway station, 20 KM from Tiruvallur, 24 KM from Arakkonam and 57 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway station is Senji Panambakkam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Ref: A Book on Ashta Siddhi Temples by Mr Sai Kumar

The Shiva Linga was unearthed from this place 

In the Selli Amman temple, the inscription stone was found and used as a stepping stone. The temple is under reconstruction 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---