VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Thirukovil / Murugan Temple/ அருள்மிகு சுப்ரமணிய சுவாமி திருக்கோயில், Chinmaya Nagar (Valliammal Nagar), Koyambedu, on the banks of Cooum, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Thursday, 21 December 2023

Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Thirukovil / Murugan Temple/ அருள்மிகு சுப்ரமணிய சுவாமி திருக்கோயில், Chinmaya Nagar (Valliammal Nagar), Koyambedu, on the banks of Cooum, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

துதிப்போர்க்கு வல்வினைபோம் துன்பம்போம் நெஞ்சில்

பதிப்போர்க்கு செல்வம் பலித்துக் கதித்தோங்கும்

நிஷ்டையும் கைகூடும் நிமலனருள்

கந்தர் சஷ்டி கவசம் தனை.

அமரரிடர் தீர அமரம் புரிந்த

குமரனடி நெஞ்சே குறி…

சஷ்டியை நோக்கச் சரவண பவனார்

சிஷ்டருக்குதவும் செங்கதிர் வேலோன்

பாதம் இரண்டில் பன்மணிச் சதங்கை

கீதம் பாடக் கிண்கிணி யாட

… ஸ்ரீதேவராய சுவாமிகள் அருளிய கந்தர் சஷ்டி கவசம்.

Even though the Cooum River originates from the Kesavaram Dam, some of the canals join on the way before it joins the sea. One such canal originates from Virugambakkam and joins the Cooum River at Aminjikarai as a tributary to the Cooum River. This Subramaniya Swamy Temple is on the banks of the Canal. This temple is also called Sri Rahu Ketu Anugraheswarar and Sri Kariya Siddhi Anjaneyar Sthalam.

Moolavar : Sri Subramaniar

Consorts : Sri Valli Devasena

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east, with an entrance arch from the south side. A Muneeswarar sannidhi is on the right side of the entrance, and the Road is called in the name of this Muneeswarar as Muniappa Nagar Main Road, and the place as Muniappa Nagar.

Stucco images of Shiva’s family, Rahu worshiping Sri Shiva, and Muneeswarar. On the mandapam parapet wall, the stucco images of Devasena's marriage, Arumugar with Sri Valli Devasena, and Subramaniar with Valli Devasena.

In the sanctum sanctorum, Moolavar is with Sri Valli and Devasena. In koshtam, Medha Dakshinamurthy and Vishnu Durgai. In praharam, Ananda Vinayagar, Rahu Ketu anugraha murthy, Navagrahas, and Kariya Siddhi Anjaneyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is small and consists of a sanctum sanctorum and a mukha mandapam. The temple was reconstructed in recent years with bricks and cement. An eka tala vesara vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the original temple may be 1000 years old and was reconstructed in recent years.

As per the Nanaganallur Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple's inscription, Nanaganallur and Pazhavan Thangal villages were gifted to this temple.

Vijayanagara King Achutharaya's period (04.11.1530) inscription records that this place, Gangai Nallur (Nanganallur), and Pazhavan Thangal villages were gifted to Koyambedu Cheruveethinayinar alias Sri Subramaniyar Temple as thevadhanam, by the Mahapirathani (Chief Minister) Chellappa (Chevvappa..?) Thandanayakar for the well-being of the King, while he was at Kanchipuram.

Reference:

Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy Year 1940 -41.

LEGENDS

The Kanda Sashti is celebrated for the victory of Murugan over Soorapadman, who fought for 5 days and was killed on the 6^th day. When Soorapadman changed himself into a tree, Muruga killed him with his spear, splitting it into two parts. One side turned into cock, which Muruga took as a flag, and the other side changed into a peacock, which Muruga took as his vehicle / Vahana. The last day of Skanda Sashti, ie, the slaying of Soorapadman, is celebrated as Soorasamharam and Thirukalyanam to Murugan with Valli and Devasena on the 7^th day. During Sashti days, Murugan devotees used to observe fast, taking one-time meals, except rice; some observe fast on Soorasamharam day only. Usually, Kanda Sashti Vrat will start after Deepavali, on pradima thithi, ie, the 1^st day after Amavasya day.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Kandar Sashti and celebrated in a grand manner. It will be a 7-day function. Each day, Moolavar will be decorated like the Arupadaiveedu temple Moolavars, starting with Palani. On the final day, Thirukalyanam will be conducted by Sri Subramania Swamy with Sri Valli Devasena.