Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple / Chevvel Kottam / Sevvel Kottam /செவ்வேள் கோட்டம், Choolai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple aka Sevvel Kottam was a part of Shiva, Maha Vishnu, Vinayagar, and Murugan temples Visit”, in Choolaimedu, Aminjikarai, Chetpet, and Choolai areas on 25^th September 2022. During the process of searching some old temples of Choolai, came across this Murugan temple Sevvel Kottam on No7, Samy Pillai Street, Choolai. There are temples dedicated to Shri Murugan ends with Kottam in Chennai. They are Kandhakottam at Park Town, Kumara Kottam at George Town, Sengunthar Kottam at Saidapet, and this temple  Sevvel Kottam at Choolai.

Moolavar         : Sri Subramaniar

Consorts         : Sri Valli and Devasena.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram on the west. Stucco images of Valli Devasena's marriage with Murugan are on both sides of the Rajagopuram.

Sri Vijaya Vinayagar sannidhi is immediately after the Rajagopuram. The Sanga Nidhi and Padmanidhi are at the entrance of Sri Vijaya Vinayagar sanctum sanctorum.

Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, Peacock and Elephant vahanas are in front of the temple on the east side. Sri Valli Sannidhi is on the left and Devasena Sannidhi is on the right side of the sanctum Sanctorum. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Pandrimalai Swamigal is facing south in the ardha mandapam.

In praharam, Sri Kasi Viswanathar & Visalakshi ( Sanctum is in Gajabirushtam shape without Vimanam ) with balipeedam and Rishabam, Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswarar, Durgai, Arunagirinathar, Navagrahas,  Arumugar, Natarajar, Shirdi Saibaba, Adhi Varasakthi Vinayagar. Nagars are under the neem tree on the east side of the temple.

Vinayagar Sannidhi with Sanga nidhi and Padmanidhi 

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was constructed with bricks. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. Mukha mandapam pillars have the Murugan’s hymns like Kandar Sashti Kavasam etc,. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and pada bandha adhistanam. A two tier dravida Vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Shri Shiva with Parvati, Murugan, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, and Arumugar on peacock Vahana are on the tala kotas. Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the Greeva Kostas.

Ambal sannidhi semicircular  shape without Vimanam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple may be 100 to 150 years old and may be reconstructed in recent years. As per one of the inscriptions Sevvel Kottam Sri Siva Subramaniya Swamy temple, 1^st Brahmotsavam was conducted on 16^th April 1986, which means the temple might have been constructed in 1985. 

Dakshinamurthy was installed and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed on 19^th January 1997, by the Bala Bhakta Sabha established and registered in 1905. 

Rajagopuram was built and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed on 08^th August 2001. The First level was donated by Honorary  Asthana Othuvar and Tamil Nadu’s first Lady Othuvar Mrs M Arulmozhi Purushothaman, the Second level was donated by  K  Ayyappa Gurukkal Madurai, and the third level was donated by G Jeyabalan, of Choolai.

The starting of the entrance arch with name, work was celebrated on 11^th April 2002.

Ashta bandhana maha Kumbhabhishekam for this temple was conducted on 20^th August 2014.

Shiva’s sannidhi granite flooring was donated by Ja Bhagavan Sait and V S Balaji.

LEGENDS

Even, the Kottam in Tamil language has different meanings and here we have to take it as a Temple of large scale and higher order.  In sangam literature Silapathikaram Murugan temple was mentioned as கோழிச் சேவற் கொடியோன் கோட்டமும் (சிலப். 14, 10). From this, it is believed that temples were built on a large scale called Kottam during ancient times. Hence this Sevvel Kottam – Spear Temple - is superior to all and Spear / Vel is worshiped as a presiding deity. Instead of a spear – Vel as a main deity, Sri Valli Devasena are installed as main deities.   

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from 2 kala regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Tuesdays, Fridays, Karthigai Nakshatra days, Kandar sashti, Thai poosam, Brahmotsavam in the month Chithirai, Pournami, Amavasaya days, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07,.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevvelkottam.murugantemple

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple aka Sevvel Kottam is on Sami Pillai Street, Periyamedu, Choolai about 100 meters from Choolai High Road / Tiru Narayana Guru Road and Choolai Post office.

The Temple is 1.3 KM from Madras Vepery Veterinary  College, 1.9 KM from Chennai Central, and 11 KM from Koyambedu bus terminus.

Nearest Railway Station is Chennai Central

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---