Friday, 4 November 2022

Ekambareswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ ஏகாம்பரேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Aminjikarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Ekambareswarar Temple at Aminjikarai was a part of the “Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples Visit” at Aminjikarai, Arumbakkam, Ayanavaram, and Konnur, Villivakkam” on 04th September 2022. This temple is in front of Sri Prasanna Varadharaja Perumal Temple. Also, this is one of the Shiva Temples built on the north banks of River Cooum.


Moolavar  : Sri Ekambareswarar
Consort    : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Vinayagar and Murugan are on the aadhi thalam of Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Ambal, and Chandikeswarar, Ambal embracing and worshiping Shiva Lingam are on the top of the mukha mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Idabam / Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram.  Vinayagar and Murugan are on both side of the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the  inner prakram, Pichadanar, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar and Navagrahas.  Stucco image of Nataraja with Sivagami and Manickavasagar are in the Vinayagar sannidhi mandapam. In the outer prakaran, Vinayagar, 63var, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Nagars under Peepal tree.


ARCHITECTURE
The Rajagopuram is with many Stucco images of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, Kannappar Puranam, Markandeya Puranam, Vinayagar with his consorts, Maha Vishnu with his consorts,

Vinayagar and Murugan sannidhis are built like separate temples with mukha mandapam.

The layout of the temple is very similar to Kanchi Ekambareswarar Temple, Mango tree is as sthala vruksha. Hence this Temple is called Vada Kanchi. 





HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This temple was built about 350 years before, by Sri Sengalvaraya Mudaliar, a staunch devotee of Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar. He used to visit Kanchipuram frequently. As he grew older, he found it very difficult to go to Kanchipuram. So his family built this temple in front of Sri Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal Temple. Upto 1953, the Sengalvarayar Mudaliar family maintained the affairs of the temple. In 1953 this temple was handed over to HR & CE, due to a lot of problems in handling the temple in a good manner by P Shanmuga Mudaliar, the decedents of Sengalvaraya Mudaliar. As a part of the unity of Saivam and Vainavam, on the annual festival day, both temple’s Utsavars will be taken in procession in the Mada veethis.   

Jeernotharana Ashtabandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted to Rajagopuram through Jagatrakshaka Thevara Thiruppugazh Saba on 07th February 2001. The thirupani with door and up to Kalkara was contributed by L Kesavalu Naidu's family and 16 others, most of them are Doctors.

Punavartharana Jeernotharana Asha Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09th February 2014. Jagatrakshaka Thevara Thiruppugazh Saba played the main role in conducting this Kumbhabhishekam.

Vahana mandapam was donated by Selva Vedagiri, Mohanambal and Velmurugan institution.

On 16th year of Jagatrakshaka Thevara Thiruppugazh Saba, Saba mandapam was built. Jeernotharana Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after thirupani to Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar Sannidhis on 24th April 1970. Saba mandapam was declared opened by Sri Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar.

Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram was installed and Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 14th July, 1986.  Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar temple's inner Prahara entrance was opened on 31st December 1987. The Subramaniyar Sannidhi was constructed through the contribution made by Purasai C. Munisamy Nayakar.

Vinayagar Sannidhi mukha mandapam was built and kumbhabhishekam was conducted through the contribution made by A K Ramanjulu Naidu and 6 others.

West side gopuram was constructed and Kumbhabhishekam was conducted through contributions made by 10 people on 07th February 2001. 

In 2001, 63 var, Shanmugar, and 5-tier Rajagopuram were built and maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted, and 2014 repainting was done.

Arunachala Mudaliar has gifted land for conducting Pradosham in the name of “Arunachalam Mudaliar Trust”.








LEGENDS
It is believed that Ekambareswarar will be cured after surgery and Doctors also visit this temple to pray before doing complicated Surgeries. They also contributed to the upkeep of this temple. 

It is believed that Ambal Kamakshi will remove marriage obstacles, grant Child boon, etc. After the prayer is fulfilled, devotees offer bangles garland to Ambal.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular Poojas, pournami, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vaikasi Visakam, Vinayagar Chaturthi are celebrated in a grand manner. Thevara Thiruppugazh sabha recites Thevaram and Thirupugazh every Monday. On Tamil New Year's Day Somaskandar will be taken in procession around the Temple. Special abhishekam will be done to Muruga on Bharani nakshatra day and will be taken in procession on karthigai nakshatra days around mada veethi. Panguni Utsavam and Brahmotsavam are celebrated in a grand manner.

On Agni Nakshatra day devotees will carry milk pots from this temple to Aminjikarai Mangali / Maha kali Amman Temple for abhisheka, with bare feet. In the evening Thiruveethi Ula will happen, in that Maha Kali Amman will be taken in procession. It is believed that the rain will come for the benefit of raising crops. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
Chandrasekaran +91 9080019021 and P Rajesh +91 9952056571 may be contacted for further details. Alternatively the Land line number +91 44 26640243 may be contacted. 

HOW TO REACH
Can be reached through town bus route nos 27, 24, 14A, 15B, 15D, 15C, 15M, 15F, 101, 159, 59A, 59B and nearest bus stop is Lakshmi Theater.

The temple is 1.1 KM from Pachaiyappa Metro Station, 2.1 KM from Chetpet Railway Station, 5.8 KM from Koyambedu, and 5.5 KM from Chennai Central Station.
Nearest Railway station is Pachaiyappa Metro Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
 


---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

2 comments:

  1. Feeling great to read an article about this temple. In addition to all your above points by the end of Agni nakshatram Paal Kudam event will happen. All the devotees will carry the milk bowl in top of their head and walk through the streets of Aminjikarai in a bare foot from Ekambareswarar temple to "Maha Kaali" amman (Locals will call it as Maangali Amman) temple. Post this, evening there will be a Veedhi Ula happen for Gramma Devadhai Maha Kaali amman. Main motto of this event is "there is a Myth/Trust/Belief among the people", that post this event Amman will grant enough rainfall to maintain livestock for the year". Ayyan and Amman arul anaivarukkum kidaikka vazhthukkal Thanks alot for your supportive Blog 🙏 let's unite our hands for Hinduism to save Hindu temples and our History.

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