Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ நீலகண்டேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Old Pallavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This visit to the Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple at Old Pallavaram was a part of the Shiva and Amman Temples in Chromepet, Old Pallavaram, and Madipakkam Visit, on 20^th November 2022. Believed to be a Pallava period Shiva temple, reconstructed with stone during the 20^th Century.

Before Kumbhabhishekam ( 27th April 2023 )

Moolavar  : Sri Neelakandeswarar

Consort    : Sri Nirmalambal & Sri Tripurasundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the south side. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam are in front of mukha mandapam. Rishabam and balipeedam are in the mukha mandapam. Moolavar is on a little elevated level. Ambal Nirmalambal is in the same sannidhi of moolavar. In Kostam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam, Vinayagar with Rishabam is in front (a unique feature of this temple ), Sri Veera Sanjeevi Anjaneyar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Dhandayuthapani, Chandikeswarar,  Navagrahas with their consorts, Vinayagar, Naga Lingam and Nagar are under Peepal Tree.

Ambal Thiripurasundari is in a separate sannidhi facing south in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

  

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The complete adhistanam is not visible above the ground level. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. A 2-tier stucco vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva kostas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple was built during the Pallava period. After renovation, a mini Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1976. Again the temple was renovated and maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2010. ( 2008..?) 

Vasantha mandapam was opened by Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal on 29^th January 2010. This mandapam was donated by R Bhatri Iyer & his wife Sarathambal in memory of his parents, Jagathambal & Ramanatha Iyer.

The temple is under palalayam and thirupani was started on 24^th June 2022. The thirupani is being carried out through “Pallavaram Seva Trust”. After Thirupani Sri Nirmalambal - Thirupurasundari samedha Sri Neelakandeswarar alaya Noothana Garbha Grugam and Noothana Vimana Sthabana Punarutharana Jeernotharana Ashtabandhana  Maha Kumbhabhisheka Samprokshanam was conducted on 27th April 2023. 

Palalayam

The photo was taken during the renovation

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Shiva swallowed the poison which came out first, in the process of churning milk ocean by Devas and Asuras for the Amirtha. Ma Parvati stopped the poison at the throat itself by pressing with her fingers. Due to this the throat changed into to blue colour. Hence Shiva is called Neelakandeswarar. 

As per the local legend, Shiva came in the dream of a blind lady of this place gave darshan told her to construct a temple, and revealed to her where he was hiding. She had constructed this temple after overcoming many hurdles. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri, New Year's, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 9.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The temple office is +91 9677011908 and Gurukkal Raju may be contacted on his mobile at +91 9782896855 for further details.

E-mail: neelaganteswara@gmail.com and

website address:  www.neelakandeswara.org

Since the temple is under renovation the temple requests donations from the public, for the same bank's account number, IFC code, and QR code are uploaded.

HOW TO REACH

This Sri Neelakandeswarar temple is at Zamin Pallavaraam, a part of Pallavaram, about 100 meters from Duraikannu Salai.

The temple is 2.8 KM from Pallavaram Railway Station, 9.8 KM from Tambaram Railway Station, and 25 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway Station is Pallavaram Railway Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

THE TEMPLE IS READY FOR KUMBHABHISHEKAM

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Vaikunda Vasa Perumal Temple / Vaikunta Vasa Perumal Temple / வைகுண்ட வாச பெருமாள் கோவில், Old Pallavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vaikunta Vasa Perumal temple was a part of the “Shiva, Vishnu Temples, and Heritage Monuments Visit”, in Old Pallavaram, Pammal, and Pozhichalur areas, on Good Friday ie 7^th April 2023. During my earlier Visit, this Perumal temple was not open and this time, it was open and had the darshan of Sri Vaikunta Vasa Perumal.

Moolavar  : Sri Vaikunta Vasa Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Kanakavalli Thayar

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

The temple faces east with an entrance arch. Thiruman, Changu, and Chakra reliefs are on the top of the entrance arch. Deepa Sthambam, balipeedam, and Garudan are immediately after the entrance. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Vaikunda Vasa Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsava murtis are in front of Moolavar. There are no images in the koshtas.

Kanakavalli Thayar is in the mandapam on the left side in sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam. A lizard and a snake bas-relief are on the ceiling in front of Thayar sannidhi. 

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed about 2 feet higher than the ground level. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedika and the pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilaster, square base with naga bandha, kalasam, thadi, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai and poomottu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus and Vyyalavari. The Koshtas are of sala type. A two-tier brick nagara Vimanam is on the Bhumi Desam. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s avatars are on the Vimana Koshtams. The Mandapam wall was supported by masonry construction on both sides, to avoid falling down.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may belong to the Pallava / Chozha period but the present structure belongs to the Vijayanagara period considering the style of construction. The front mandapam was constructed/reconstructed during the 20^th Century. Chozha and Vijayanagara period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam and pattikai of the mukha mandapa adhistanam. The Chozha period fragment inscription stone is placed upside down during reconstruction. As per the Bhattar, the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department inspected and told that the inscriptions are irrelevant to this temple, hence the stones with inscriptions  might have been brought from elsewhere and used for reconstruction. There is no other evidence found in this temple to prove that the temple was built during the Chozha or Pallava period.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 2^nd May 2004.

Since the inscription is upside down, the photo is up-loaded to match the same. 

LEGENDS

A lizard and a snake bas-reliefs are on the ceiling in front of Thayar sannidhi. The legend behind this is very much similar to Kanchipuram Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple.  The Snake with the Moon / Sun signifies the Solar and Lunar eclipse.

As per the legend the disciples of Gautama were cursed to become lizards. They worshipped Maha Vishnu and were relieved from the curse.

In Hinduism, it is believed that if a lizard falls on a human’s body, it is a dosha, ie it is the indication that bad things will happen in their life. The degree of the bad things depends on the place of the body where it falls. For example, if it falls on the head means death will happen to that person. Devotees believed that, by touching the Lizard relief and worshiping will get relieve them from Lizard dosha.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navami, Margazhi Saturdays, Krishna Jayanthi, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is about 100 meters off from Darga Rd- PV Vaithyalingam Rd- Kambar St.. which joins with GST Road at Pallavaram.

The temple is 2.9 KM from Pallavaram Bus Stand & Railway Station, 10 KM from Tambaram Railway Station, and 25 KM from Central Railway Station.

Nearest Railway Station is Pallavaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Maragathambal Samedha Sri Hridayaleeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீஇருதயலீஸ்வரர் கோயில், திருநின்றவூர் / Thiruninravur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

Utilizing the opportunity of participating the Uzhavaram by Chennai sevas had the darshan of Sri Hridayaleeswarar and Eri Katha Ramar at Thiruninravur. This Shiva temple is few meters away from 58^th Divyadesam, Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple at Thiruninravur. This post was separated from the combined post and updated with Legends, History and Architecture. Please click the link to see the old post with Erikatha Ramar temple. 

West side entrance

Moolavar    : Sri Hridayaleeswarar

Consort      : Sri Maragathambal

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with entrance arches on the east and west side. On the east side entrance Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam. Sri Vinayagar and Balamurugan are at the entrance  to the inner prakaram. The sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabirushtam  style with Pallava Architecture. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai. Moolavar is little large on a square avudayar and Poosalar one of the 63 nayanmar is in the sanctum facing south.

In the inner Prakaram sannadhi for Suryan Navagrahas, Pallava King Rajasimhan, Ninravur Polla Pillayar, Nalvar, Sekkizhar, Naagars, Mahaganapathy, Urchava moorthangal, Valli Devasena Subramaniar with Naagars, Chandikeswarar, Palliyarai, Natarajar saba, Bhairavar and Chandran.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Nava kanniyar, Mandapam and office Room. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhisthanam with three patta kumudam on a upanam. The sanctum sanctorum is of Gajaprishta shape from upanam to sigaram. The temple was constructed with stone from upanam to prastaram. A two tier brick Vimanam is on the prastaram.

  

Gajaprishta Vimanam

Gajaprishta Vimanam

Moolavar Vimanam with Ambal sannadhi vimanam

Moolavar Vimanam with Ambal sannadhi vimanam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple is about 1300 years old and some inscriptions are available on the sanctum wall. It is believed that this temple was constructed during Pallava period.  9 – 10^th Century inscriptions are found on the sanctum sanctorum wall.

The 20^th century inscription records that in 1905 CE Devakottai Sita Achi had done thirupani to this temple.

LEGENDS

The temple was constructed by Pallava king  Rajasimhan for Poosalar. The story goes like this… Poosalar who applied vibhuti all over his body wants to construct a Shiva Temple sitting under Iluppai tree.  Even though Poosalar couldn’t  physically construct the temple, constructed the Shiva Temple in his heart with a concentrated mind.  This was rightly written by Sekkizhar Peruman in “Periya Puranam” as..

அடி முதல் உபானம் ஆதி

    ஆகிய படிகள் எல்லாம்

வடிவறு தொழில்கள் முற்ற

    மனதினால் வகுத்துமான

முடிவுறு சிகரம் தானும்

    முன்னிய முழத்திற் கொண்டு

நெடிது நாள் கூடக் கோவில்

    திறம்படி நினைவால் செய்தார்

Poosalar completed the temple in the heart and fixed a date for consecration / Kumbhabhishekam.  In the mean time the Pallava king Rajasimhan also constructed a temple for Shiva as “Sri Kailasanathar Temple” at Kanchipuram. Sekkizhar records the construction of the Kachi KaRRali ( Kailasanathar temple ) with mudram, madam etc, as KaRRali / stone temple and spending large amount of money / perumchelvam.

"காடவர் கோமான் கச்சிக்

    கற்றளி எடுத்து முற்ற

மாடெல்லாம் சிவனுக்காகப்

    பெருஞ்செல்வம் வகுத்தல் செய்வான்

நாடமாலறியா தாரைத்

    தாபிக்கும் அன்னாள் முன்னாள்

ஏடலார் கொன்றை வேய்ந்தார்

    இரவிடை கனவில் எய்தி"

After completion of the temple the Pallava king fixed a date after consulting the vedic pundits and astrologers. Since the date of consecration coincides with Poosalar’s temple date, Shiva asked the king to postpone the date in his dream and said the he is going to attend the consecration of Temple constructed by his devotee Poosalar. The Pallava King Rajasimhan wants to see the temple and came to Thiruninravur and able to find Poosalar under the Iluppai tree with a great difficulty. Poosalar  showed his chest where he built the temple. The king appreciated Poosalar’s bhakthi and constructed a temple as per Poosalar’s wish. Sekkizhar  finishes Poosalar Nayanar’s Puranam with this poem as..

"நீண்ட சேஞ்சடையனார்க்கு

    நினைப்பினால் கோயிலாக்கிப்

பூண்ட அன்பிடையறாத

    பூசலார் பொற்றான் போற்றி"

The Pallava King Rajasimhan

Since Poosalar constructed in his heart ( mind ), it is believed that heart related ailments  will get cured by worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.30 Hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The temple dharmakartha is Sri Jagan Somasundaram of Devakottai, a Nattukottai Nagarathar and the manager is Mr D Balakrishnan whose mobile number is 9444164108.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is about 3 KM distance from Thiruninravur Railway station which is on the way from Chennai Central to Tiruvallur- Arakkonam.

Town buses are available from Railway station’s south side, 54A to Poonamallee and M54 to T Nagar.

Share autos are  also available from Thiruninravur railway station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 

East Side entrance

Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam

View of the temple from west side entrance

View of the temple from west side

Sapta matrikas with Veerabhadra and Vinayagar

A round stone, what for it is used?- Used for Grinding of lime mortar during renovation

After darshan of Sri Hridayaleeswarar, went to Sri Eri Katha Ramar temple. When I reached, the temple was not opened. Went around the temple. Development work of paving the floor around the sanctum was in progress. Labourers are busy in unloading the granite slabs for the pavement. After 15 minutes the Bhatter arrived and opened the temple for the dharshan. Wow it was a wonderful darshan of Lord Sri Ramar and waiting has been rewarded. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---