VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ சந்தான ஸ்ரீனிவாச பெருமாள் திருக்கோயில், Mogappair, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Thursday 7 September 2023

Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ சந்தான ஸ்ரீனிவாச பெருமாள் திருக்கோயில், Mogappair, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Mogappair was a part of “Shiva, Vishnu and Amman Temples Visit” - in Anna Nagar, Arumbakkam and Mogappair, on 16^th October 2022. Even though the present temple was built in 19^th Century, the original temple has a long history. As per the legend this temple’s moolavar was a part of Sri Markandeshwara, Shiva Temple and Thayar is retained in the Shiva Temple itself as “Maha Lakshmi”..

Moolavar : Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Consort : Sri Santhana Lakshmi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Garudan are immediately after the entrance Rajagopuram. Stone and stucco dwarapalakas are at the entrance of ardha mandapam and sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is about 7 feet tall, similar to Tirupati. Alwars are in maha mandapam. There is no images in the Kostam.

In Praharam Sarva Sakthi Vinayagar, Anjaneyar, Thayar Santhana Lakshmi, Andal, Iyyappan and Navagrahas.

Maha Lakshmi at Sri Maragadesswarar Temple at Mogappair belongs to Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple. ( May be Sridevi / Bhudevi, belongs to Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal )

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a maha mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota banda upa peedam and adhistanam is of prati banda adhistanam with jagathy, vrutha kumudam and viyyalavari. The bhitti starts with vedhika. The pilasters are of square base, Naga bandham, Vishnu kantha pilasters, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palagai, veera kandam and poo mottu pothyal. The panjaras are with two pilasters and makara thorana. The mahara thoranas has the bas relief of Krishna playing flute with cattle around him, Gajendra moksham, Dancers with musicians, Gajalakshmi, Snake and a snake catcher, etc. The soldiers are with sword and shield are in the mahara thundam.

The outer praharam is completely covered with concrete roofing and hence Vimanas of main temple and individual sannidhis are not visible.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was told that ( may not be correct too… ), the adhistanam and bhitti / wall stones ( Vijayanagara period structures ) used for this temple belongs to the Sri Markandeshwara Temple ( during the construction of this Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Sri Markandeshwara Temple was in dilapidated condition. Shiva temple was constructed latter with bricks in 1996 ). The Santhana Srinivasa Perumal, who was thrown in to the eri during Nawab’s invasion, came in the dream of Arunachala Mudaliar and identified his whereabouts. The idol was recovered form the nearby eri. Even though the moolavar belongs to Pallava period, the present structure belongs to Vijayanagara period.

During 19^th Century this temple thirupani was started by Arunachala mudaliar on his own land, then his descendants continued and completed to the present stage.

In 1981, Moolavar terrace was covered ( Moolavar Vimanam ), and Parivara deities sannidhis completed and maha samprokshanam was conducted by R Saranga Mudaliar and MS Ramachandra Mudaliar, the descendants of Arunachala Mudaliar in 1982.

Again the thirupani was started in 1992 and it took around 17 years and completed, through Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Charitable trust.

On 07^th September 1997, Sannidhi Vimanam was constructed and maha samprokshanam was conducted.

Latter after completion of parivara deities sannidhis and maha samprokshanam was conducted on 24^th June 2005.

Lastly the 5 tier Rajagopuram was constructed and maha samprokshanam was conducted on 24^th June 2009.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, during the Pallava King Mallinatha’s period this place was called as Mahappair. There is a hearsay story behind that. The King didn’t have Child, so he prayed to Shiva and Ambal of Sri Markandeshwara temple. Due to the grace of Shiva he has got a Child, from then onwards this place was called as Mahappair, which has got corrupted to Mogappair. The was called as Santhana mangalam in Sanskrit.

Devotees Prays Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal for Child boon. A special pooja called Santhana Gopala Poojas is conducted on Pournami days with Nakshatras Thiruvonam, Punarpoosam, Swati, Rohini and Revati, between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs. The couples will keep Santhana Gopala vigraha on their lap and offer thamboolam, honey and butter. They also asked to chant the mantra… ( Requesting Santhana Srinivasa Perumal to give a child like Gopala after praising him ).

Devakisuta Govinda Vaasudeva Jagatpathe, Dehime Tanayam Krishna Twaamaham Sharanam Gathaha,

Devadeva Jagannatha Gotra Vridhi Karaprabho, Dehime Tanayam Sheegram Ayushmantam Yashashshreenam.

The butter and honey are given back to the couples as Prasad and the above mantra has to be recited 48 days after prayer in their homes.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Rama navami, Brahmotsavam, Pavithrotsavam, Srinivasa Perumal Thirukalyanam, etc,. Purattasi celebration with fruits.