On 11 September 2022, I visited Sri Apparswamy Thirukoil at Appar Nagar in Tiruvottiyur as part of “Hero Stones and Siddhars of Tiruvottiyur.” The visit was mainly focused on the Siddhar Jeeva Samadhis of Tiruvottiyur, and on the way, I had the darshan of Sri Appar Swamy of this temple.
Moolavar : Sri Appar Swamy
Consort
: Sri Tripura Sundari
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple faces east and has an entrance ( half is only visible due to encroachment ). A stucco image of Lord Shiva and Parvati as Uma Maheswara is on the top of the entrance. Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Murugan are at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. Moolavar in the sanctum Sanctorum is a little
taller. Kostas are empty without images.
Some
loose sculptures and Appar ( facing Moolavar ) are in the ardha mandapam. Ambal
is in a separate Sannidhi facing South in the ardha mandapam.
Balipeedam,
Rishabam, Saptakannis and Nagathamman are in the maha mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha
mandapam. The temple was constructed completely with bricks. The ardha mandapam
is supported by Vrutha pillars.
The
sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam ( now
up to pattika level the ground level was raised ). Brahma kantha pilasters with
kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai, and pothyal are shown on the bhitti. The
prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam, and bhoomi desam. A Two tier dravida
vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha
Vishnu, and Brahma are on the first level of Vimanam sala kostas. No other stucco
images are found on the vimana.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the Appar Swamigal original
temple has existed in the same place for the past 1000 years and the present structure dates from the 19th to the 20th Century.
Balasundara Swamigal was, instrumental behind the
identification of Pattinathar Jeeva Samadhi Temple along with Pamban Swamigal.
During the process, a Shiva Lingam was unearthed from this area. It has been installed at Appar Swamigal Temple.
As per the display board, it was planned to do the thirupani of this temple by HR & CE Department.
The temple is squeezed between the encroached
houses. The entrance of the temple only 50 is visible and we cannot do
circumambulation of the temple. On the north side the space left will be hardly
3 feet and 2 persons cannot cross at a time.
A Narrow gap- Encroachment
A Narrow gap entrance- Encroachment
LEGENDS
It
is believed that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal alias Appar Swamigal visited many Shiva Temples and came to Tiruvottiyur. Lord
Shiva gave darshan to Appar at this place. Appar Swamigal installed a Shiva
Lingam and worshiped, it in the same place where Lord Shiva gave darshan. Later a
temple was constructed, keeping the Shiva Lingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
It
was told that when Pamban Swamigal came to Tiruvottiyur, stayed in this temple
for some days and practiced meditation.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri,
and some important days sponsored by the devotees.
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
Gurukkal
Balagurusamy may be contacted on his mobile at +91 9710990014 and HR & CE official number at +91 44 25733703 for
further details.
HOW TO REACH
The
temple is on Appar Swamigal Street, Appar Nagar on the east side of Ennore
Express Road.
30 meters from Bala Sundara Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi
Temple, 500 meters from Pattinathar Temple,
2 KM from Thiyagarajar Temple, 10.8 KM from Chennai Central Station, and
22 KM from Pamban Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi at Thiruvanmiyur.
Nearest Railway Station is Tiruvottiyur.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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