The
visit to this Sri Ravishwarar temple was a part of “Shiva, Murugan and Siddhar
Temples Visit in and around Vyasarpadi” on 21st August 2022. Vyasarpadi is believed to be named after the Vyasa Maharishi, who stayed and worshiped Shri
Shiva at this temple. Earlier the same was called Banupuram (Suriyan) since the Sun ( Suriyan ) god worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
Moolavar : Sri Ravi Eswarar
Consort
: Sri Maragathambal
Some
of the salient features of this temple are...
The
temple is facing east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram and the temple tank ( Surya
Theertham ) is on the opposite side of the Highway. Stucco image of Sri Shiva
with Parvati’s marriage – on the left marriage conducted by Mahavishnu and on
the right Marriage conducted by the king, ( as per the sthala purana ). On both
sides of the Rajagopuram, stucco images of Sri Shiva with Parvati as
Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar on Munchuru, Valli Devasena Subramaniyar on Peacock
Vahana, Chandikeswarar on Rishaba Vahanam, Ambal on Rishaba Vahana, Suriyan
Worshiping Lord Shiva, Ramalinga
Vallalar, Nalvar, etc are on the parapet walls of the mandapams, which can be
viewed from roadside.
Dwajasthambam
/ Kodimaram, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Sri
Ravi Eswarar in the sanctum is a little small on a Square avudayar ( Vyasa Maharishi
installed and Worshiped ). In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu,
Brahma and Durgai. In ardha mandapam Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing
south. Ichcha, Kriya, and Gnana Sakthis are in the koshtam of Ambal Temple. In Ardha mandapam, Nalvar, Suriyan, Chandran and
Utsava murtis.
In
praharam, Hanuman, 63var, Sundara Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar,
Maha Vishnu as Munaikatha Perumal ( to keep sharpness of the tusk while writing
Mahabharata for Viyasa Maharishi ), VedaVyasa Maharishi, Sthala vruksham Vanni Tree with
Nagars, Nataraja with Sivagami and Manickavasagar, Iyappan, Bairavar,
Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The entrance
to the Ardha Mandapam is from the south side. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on an
adhistanam and what is the type is not known, since, the outside floor level has
been raised above the adhistanam. The Brahma Kantha pilasters are on the
bhitti. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. A 3 tier Dravida Vimanam
is on the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimanam is called as Indra Vimanam.
Stucco
images of Lord Shiva, Ashtadikpalakas, and Hindu deities are on the Vimana
talas both on salaipathi, Karnapathi, and greeva koshtams. Ashta Lakshmi
Mandapam also called Thirukalyana Mandapam pillars has stucco images of Ashta
Lakshmi.
PC - Website
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple is believed to have been built during the Chozha period. The same was reconstructed
without leaving its antiquity in recent years. This place was earlier
called Bhanu ( Suriya ) Puram. Later Veda Vyasa Maharishi lived in this and
called as Vyasarpadi.
G.
Muthu Chettiar, one of the trustees donated a Velli Kavasam on 05th
November 1975, to which god is not known. And again the same person donated the
Velli / Silver Kavasam to Moolavar on 02nd July 1986.
The
temple tank was renovated by the Rotary Club of MADRAS on 06th July
1998.
Ashta Bandana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was held on 10th July 1970, 25th
June 1989, 09th April 2000 ( 27th Panguni of Brahmathi
Year - 1999- 2000 ), 22nd
February 2013. 10th
Brahmotsavam was conducted on 18th July 1988.
LEGENDS
As
per the legend VedaVyasa, who had written epic Mahabharat, 18 Puranas and
Vedas, lived in this place and worshiped
Sri Shiva of this temple. Hence this place is called Vyasarpadi. Before
admitting to school, children are brought to Vyasar Sannidhi for worship and to
excel in education.
It
is said that Sun Rays fall on Moolavar through a Shiva Linga shaped hole on
the east side wall of the temple throughout the year. Poojas will be done after
the Sun Rays fall on Moolavar. Since Suriyan worships Lord Shiva of this
temple in the form of rays, Lord Shiva is called Ravieaswarar ( Ravi –
Suriyan ).
In
another legend, Suriya’s / Sun God’s wife
Samugna Devi left the Sun after leaving her shadow Chaya, since She couldn’t bear
the heat of the Sun. On realizing that Chaya was not his real wife, Sun went in search of Samugna. On the way, he
crossed Brahma’s yagna without knowing. But Brahma thought that Surya was ignoring
him and cursed him to be born on earth. To get rid of the curse, Suriya came
to this place, created a theertha called Surya Theertha, installed a Shiva Lingam, and worshiped. Satisfied his
worship Shiva relieved Sun from Brahma’s curse. Hence Shiva of this temple is
called Ravi Eswarar.
In
another legend, the king Veechavaran of this area did not have a child and prayed to Lord Shiva for a Child. Shiva asked Ambal to be born as a child to the King. Ambal
took the form of a child crawling under a Magizham tree in the Garden of the
King. The king was very happy and brought up her and named as Maragathambal. On
attaining the marriageable age, Lord Shiva came and married her. Since Sri Shiva with Parvati’s marriage was
conducted here, devotees pray Ambal for marriage and Child boon.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Brahmotsavam in the month
Ani ( Sri Shiva with Parvati marriage will be Held ), Skanda Sashti in the
month Aippasi ( October – November ), Makarasanranthi in Thai month ( January ), Masi Magam in the month Masi
( February – March ), Panguni Uthiram in
the month Panguni ( March – April ), Navaratri ( on 10th day Ambal
as Mahishasura Mardini Kills demon Mahisa ), Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri
days. On Vaikunta Ekadasi day Maha Vishnu is taken in procession.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to
21.00 hrs
CONTACT DETAILS
The
temple may be contacted through landline numbers +91 22 25518049 and mobile
number +919941860986 may be contacted for further details. Sivachariyar
Sivakumar may be contacted on his mobile number +91 72992 48583 for poojas.
HOW TO REACH
This
temple is on the Chennai – Srikakulam Highway at Murthy Nagar in Vyasarpadi.
The
temple is 1.6 KM from Vyasarpadi Railway Station, 4.5 KM from Chennai Central
Railway Station, 6.9 KM from Madhavaram Bus Depot, and 17.5 KM from Koyambedu
Bus Terminus.
Nearest
Railway station is Vyasarpadi.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA
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