Sri Padavettamman Temple / Renugambal Temple and Kailasanathar Temple, Zaminrayapet, Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This visit to Sri Padavettamman also called Renukambal Temple at Zaminrayapet, a part of Chromepet was a part of Shiva and Amman Temples in Chromepet, Old Pallavaram, and Madipakkam Visit, on 20^th November 2022. A Grama Devathai Temple of Chromepet and nobody knows the antiquity of the presiding deity.

 

Presiding Deity : Sri Padavettamman / Sri Renugambal

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Trishul, Balipeedam, Simham, and Dwajasthamam are after the Rajagopuram. Also, Amman’s stucco image is on the top of the mukha mandapam and written as “Padavettamman Alayam”. Stucco Dwarapalakis are at the entrance of Ardha Mandapam.

Amman is in a sitting posture under a snake hood. Holding a knife in the right hand and a bowl/kapala in the left hand. The upper hands are holding Damaru and Trishul. A Jwalamakuda is on her head. Two Amman’s head idols are under the feet of the presiding deity and 5 hooded Nagar are on one Amman's head. Amma’s various forms are in the koshtam.

Sri Kailasanathar with Sri Visalakshi – in the same sanctum sanctorum are in a separate temple with an entrance arch on the east side. Balipeedam, Rishabam are in front of Mukha mandapam. Rishabam is under a chariot-style mandapam. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are in the koshtam. A Three thala stucco vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum. 

In praharam Agni Devar with his consort, Kannimoola Ganapthy,  Nagar with Vinayagar, Sri Valampuri Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Suryan, Chandran, Kala Bairavar and Navagrahas.

ARCHITECTURE

The Amman temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, an ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The complete temple was constructed with bricks and cement concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upana and adhistanam is of Pada bandha adhistanam. A two-tier Dravida vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

Various forms of Amman’s stucco images are on the 5-tier Rajagopuram and Mukha mandapam pillars. The Vanni Tree, Iluppai Tree, and Bilva Tree are the sthala vrukshas of this temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This is one of the Grama Devatha temples of Zaminrayapet in Chromepet. This place was once an Iluppai tree forest. Since Amman is a Grama Devathai, the temple might have existed since ancient times and slowly the structures were added. As per the unconfirmed sources, Padavettamman is actually called PadaiVeettamman ( படைவீட்டம்மன் - an Amman temple where worshipped before going to war or the army stayed in this place ) and the same was got corrupted as Padavettamman. Also Called Renugambal Temple. Sambuvaraya Kings worshipped Sri Renugambal as their Kula Deivam. It was said that a lot of Sambavaraya decedents called Sambu Kula peoples lives in this Zaminrayapet a part of the present Chromepet.     

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted at Rajagopuram and Sri Padavettamman temple on 10^th June 2005. Sri Kailasanathar with Sri Visalakshi Amman temple Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after construction on 13^th June 2008.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2017. A New Dwajasthambam/Kodimaram covered with copper sheets was installed at the beginning of 2022. The Temple chariot measures 12.75 feet high, 5.5 feet wide, and 7.75 feet depth made out of teak wood at a cost of 14 lakhs in 2019..

LEGENDS

It is believed that Sri Padavettamman as Renugambal stayed at this place with her army, hence this place was called Padiveettu Amman, which has been corrupted to the present name of Padavettamman.

It is also believed that during Kings rule, this place was used as a staying place for armies. Hence this place was called Padaiveedu ( Padai – army in  English ).

About 350 years before this place was controlled by Zamindars. Hence this place was called Zamin Rayapettai. One night Amman came in one of the Zamindar’s dreams and advised to construct a temple for her, who is in the midst of the iluppai tree forest. The Zamindar with the help of Villagers, took the Amman and installed it under a thatched roof and worshiped as Padavettamman, a Grama Devathai. The same year the villagers celebrated the annual festival on the 4^th week's Sunday of Aadi month. Nowadays the annual festival is celebrated for 5 days.

Devotees pray to remove marriage obstacles, Child boon, etc. After their wishes are fulfilled, the devotees offer cradles, bangles, new vastras, carry Theemithi, etc,  at this temple. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Tuesdays, Fridays, Aadi Fridays, and Navaratri.

Theemithi Thiruvizha will be conducted in Aadi month every year.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number +919444459015, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple in Zaminrayapet, a part of Chromepet, is about 1 KM off on Thoraipakkam to Chromepet radial road from the Police Check post, after crossing Kilkattalai Lake, turn left on Erikarai Road ( Nemilichery Eri ).

The temple is 2.9 KM from Chromepet Railway Station, 7.6 KM from Tambaram, and 26 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest railway station is Chromepet Suburban Railway Station. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / நெமிலிச்சேரி அகத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Nemilichery / Nemilicherry, Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This visit to the Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Nemilichery,  in Chromepet, as a part of Shiva and Amman Temples in Chromepet, Old Pallavaram, and Madipakkam Visit, on 20^th November 2022. This place was also called Zaminrayapet a part of Chromepet. 

 

 

It is believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed and worshiped by the  Sage Agasthiyar in Thondai Nadu. It is also believed that this is one of the “Thevara Vaippu Sthalam”, sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, in praise of Shiva of Agatheechuram along with Nandhikechuram, Mahalaechuram, Nagechuram, Kodeechuram, Kondeechuram, Kukkudechuram, Akkeechuram, Adakechuram, Ayaneechuram Aththeechuram, Siddheechuram, and Ramechuram. 

நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா காளேச்

        சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக ளேச்சுராநன் கான

கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்

        குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூ றுங்கால்

ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர

        மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்கர மந்தண் கானல்

ஈடுதிரை யிராமேச்சுர மென்றென் றேத்தி

        யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே

…. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Anandavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the entrance arch. The Temple tank is on the right side of the temple. Nagar and Vinayagar are in front of the entrance arch. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum.Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the ardhaa mandapam. A stucco image of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar is on the entrance of Ardha mandapam entrance top. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.  

Utsavars, Chandrasekarar with Parvati, Natarajar with Sivakami, and Manickavasagar are in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is standing posture, the upper hands are holding pasa angusam and the lower hands are in abhaya varada hastam. A special feature in this temple is, that Suryan, Chandran, and Bairavar are in a common sannidhi.

The temple is under renovation. Hence Navagrahas, Bairavar, Suryan, and Chandran are not installed. Chandikeswarar is on the north side of the sanctum Sanctorum.

PC Website

 PC Website

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was built with bricks and cement. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on padabandha adhistanam. An eka tala vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the greeva kostam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple is one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam, sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Hence the temple might have existed during his period, ie 7^th to 8^th century. As per Gurukkal, the tiles were laid on the inscriptions. The temple received contributions from Zamindars. 

During the latter part of the 19^th century, the temple was destroyed due to natural calamity.

As per the newspaper cutting pasted on one of the pillars, The temple was reconstructed with new Ambal sannidhi and Vimanas, 1930 by Kodaa Munuswamy Iyer, and maha Kumbhabhishekem was performed. He also donated 1 acre and 49 cents of land for the maintenance of this temple and service. With the gifted land by Kodaa Munusamy Iyer, the temple had 4 acres and 55 cents of land. However, the temple received no income from the land. After Kodaa Munuswamy Iyer, the poojas are discontinued due to want of funds for the poojas and maintenance.

In 1991, Thangaiah, an Executive officer of the HR & CE Department, a native of this place, and an ardent devotee of Sri Agastheeswarar, arranged for oru kala pooja through HR & CE Department. In July 1991, Mr S Venkatraman another devotee, started the renovation works on 5^th September 1991, encouraged by Thangaiah. After completion of the renovation, Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 11^th July 1993.

"Sri Anandavalli Samedha Agastheeswarar Peravai" was started and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted on 25^th June 2007 after completion of renovation works.  

Now the temple is under reconstruction with the guidance of Padmashri Ganapathy, sthapathi from Andhra Pradesh. The renovation cost is estimated at around 16.5 lakhs. It is proposed to construct Sannidhis for Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Palliyarai, Natarajar Sabha, Rajagopuram, Maha mandapam, and Utsava Murtis.

LEGENDS

It is believed that this place was once inside a thick forest with a lot of peacocks. “Nemili – Peacock - “நெமிலி செருவு” called as Nemili Cheruvu, which has been corrupted to the present name of Nemilichery.

As per the legend, during the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati, all the Devas, sages, maharishis, and Munis assembled at Mount Kailash. So the earth on the north went down and the south rose up. Seeing this Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go south to balance the earth. On the way to Podhigai Hill Agasthiyar installed and worshiped Shiva Lingas in various places. After installing a Shiva Linga at Nemilichery, the sage Agathiyar prayed to Lord Shiva for the darshan of Lord Shiva with Parvati’s Kalyana / marriage kolam. Immediately Lord Shiva gave darshan to Agasthiyar in Kalyana Kolam.

It is believed that, by worshipping Shiva and Ambal, devotees will get relieved from chronicle deceases.

    

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on monthly pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Navaratri, monthly Sashti, Pournami, Deipirai Ashtami, Karthigai Somavara Sangabhishekam, Arudra darshan, Adipooram, Navaratri, Panguni Utram, Margazhi month Ayilya nakshatra day to Agasthiyar, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.30 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Jagadish and Sathish are contacted through their mobile number +9199414, 99506, and +91 9884706265 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple in Nemilichery / Nemilicherry, on the Thoraipakkam to Chromepet radial road, after crossing Keelkattalai / Kilkattalai Lake, turn left and the temple will be about 2 KM off  Radial road.

The temple is 4.4 KM from Chromepet Railway Station, 11 KM from Tambaram, and 27 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest railway station is Chromepet Suburban Railway Station. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Rajarajeswari Amman Temple / ஸ்ரீ ராஜராஜேஸ்வரி அம்மன் கோயில், Sankarasramam, Virugambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

The visit to this temple Sri Rajarajeswari Amman Temple, at Sankarasramam, Virugambakkam, Chennai was a part of the “Lesser Known Amman Temples of Chennai visit” on  06^th November 2022. Even though some of these temples have been reconstructed in recent years, they have a long and rich history.

The presiding Deity: Sri Rajarajeswari

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

The temple faces east and has a 3-tier Rajagopuram. Vinayagar, The presiding deity Sannidhi, and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar Sannidhis are built side by side in a line facing east. A stucco image of Sri Rajarajeswari with chowry bearers is on the top of the entrance. Dwarapalakis are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. The Amman in the sanctum sanctorum is in sitting posture, folding the right leg and left leg hanging. She is holing pasa angusam in the upper hands and flower and a sugarcane in the lower hands.

Ayyappan, Navagrahas, Anjaneyar and Dakshinamurthy are in the Mandapam. Sri Sankara Sathirigal’s easy chair with his photo is in the center of the mandapam. Sri Sankara Sasthirigal’s image and two Amman sannidhis are on the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram entrance.

The easy Chair of Sri Sankara Sasthirigal, the founder of Sankarasramam and this temple.

ARCHITECTURE

Vinayagar, Sri Rajarajeswari Amman and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar sannidhis are built in a line under a big mandapam. Eka tala nagara Vimanas are on the sanctum sanctorum.  

Stucco images of Vinayagar, Shiva with Rajarajeswari, Ayyappan, and Arumugar are in the first tala of Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Adi Sankara with his disciples are on the left side and Sankara Sasthirigal and Sri Rajarajeswari are on the right side of the Rajagopuram. These images are in compartments and the front is covered with glass.

 

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple comes under Sankarasramam, which was established by Sri Sankara Sasthirikal in on 25^th March 1974.

The 4^th Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 06^th April 2022.

 

Sri Sankarasasthirugal's image

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Fridays, Adi Fridays, Pournami, Amavasya days, Maha Shivaratri, Sankatahara Chaturthi, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10.30 Hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS

 

HOW TO REACH

On Arcot Road, from Vadapalani, take a right on Reddy Street ( After Mata Amirtanandamayi Math ), after  50 meters turn right to Kamarajar Salai and the temple is about a KM.

The temple is about 2.7 KM from Koyambedu bus terminus and 11.3 KM from Chennai Central Station.

Nearest Railway Stations are Koyambedu Metro, CMBT Metro, and Vadapalani Metro ( All are the same distance )

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Navagrahas

Ayyappan Sannidhi

Main Shrine 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Kulasekara Alwar Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Madura Kaikankuppam, Valasaravakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this temple Sri Kulasekara Alawar, a maha Vishnu Temple at Kaikankuppam, a part of Valasaravakkm, Chennai was a part of the “Lesser Known Amman Temples of Chennai visit” on  06^th November 2022. Even though some of these temples have been reconstructed in recent years, they have a long and rich history.

Moolavar  : Sri Srinivasa Perumal

Consorts  : Sridevi & Bhudevi

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

Since the old temple was in dilapidated condition, it was dismantled and construction of a new temple was started after Palalayam. Moolavar Srinivasa Perumal with Sridevi Bhudevi  and Garudan are kept in a meta colour sheet mandapam.

The old temple structure maybe 100 to 150 years old and it is claimed that the original temple existed on the same spot along with Gangai Amman and Sri Pidari Selliamman Temples for the past 1000 years, ie since Pallava / Chozha periods. But there is no proof available at the site.

The proposed temple will be with a sanctum sanctorum and a mukha mandapam. The new temple will be built through public participation by Amman Sirpa Kalikoodam, Mahabalipuram, and Sthapathi S Kalaiselvan.

The temple authorities request donations from the Public. Those who are interested may contribute to the construction of this temple.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The new temple’s sanctum sanctorum is on an upa peedam. The Adhistanam is of Padabandha adhistanam with jagathy and Padabandha adhistanam. The Vimanam will be of eka tala vesara Vimanam with 4 maha nasis on the cardinal direction.

HOW TO REACH

On Arcot Road from Vadapalani take left before Megamart on Thiruvalluvar Salai and it is about 650 meters off Arcot Road.

The temple is about 3.7 KM from Vadapalani Metro Station, 5.1 KM from Koyambedu bus terminus, and 12.6 KM from Chennai Central Railway Station.

Nearest Railway station is Vadapalani Metro Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---