The
visit to this Sri Dharma Sastha ( Iyyanar ) Temple at Valasaravakkam was a part
of “Lesser Known Vishnu, Shiva, Amman Temples of Chennai Visit”, on 23rd
October 2022. Most of the temples were reconstructed during recent years and
some retains their original structure. All these temples have long history of
Pallava, Chozha, Vijayanagars..
This
place where Sri Iyyanar temple exists now, may be the banks of eri / kulam. Due
to urbanisation of Valasaravakkam, the
eri might have been converted as residential plots.
Moolavar :
Sri Iyyanar
Consorts : Sri Poorna and Sri Pushkala
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Stucco image of Dwarapalakas
are on the adhi talam. Periya Karuppan and Chinna Karuppan are as Dwarapalakas
at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum. Balipeedam and Elephant vahana are after
the Rajagopuram. Stucco image of Iyyanar
with Poorna and Pushkala are on the top of the entrance of the sanctum
sanctorum. Moolavar Iyyanar is in sitting posture holding a chendu in the right
hand. His right leg is hanging and a Yoga patti holds the left leg up. All the
three deities are wearing makuda.
In
Praharam Annapoorani, Vishnu Durgai, Mangalambigai, Vinayagar as Nithyandha
Ganapathi, Nagars, Rahu, Ketu, Sri Valli Devasena Kumaresa Perumal, Shridi
Saibaba, Navagrahas, Dhana Aharshana
Bairavar. In addition to this Adhi sankarar, Maha Periyava, Kailasanathar &
Akinlandeswari sannidhis are in a
straight line. Two Kanchi mutt
Sankarachariyar’s images are also
on the pillar at the entrance.
ARCHITECTURE
The
Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and an ardha mandapam on an elevated level
of about 4 feet from the ground level and moolavar and his consorts are again 3
feet platform. The sanctum Sanctorum is on a adhistanam. The Vimanam is not
visible from the praharam, since praharam is completely covered with cement
concrete ceiling. The total temple was reconstructed with Bricks and cement
concrete during recent years.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
As
per the Iconography and the culture of Iyyanar with Poorna and Pushkala, the
original temple may be 200 to 300 years old or even more than that. The present
structure may be belongs 20th to 21st century.
The
construction of Rajagopuram was started on 24th January 2004. Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 01st December 2004 after completion
of Rajagopuram.
LEGENDS
As
per the legend Iyyanar was born to Pichadanar, another form of Sri Shiva and
Mahavishnu as Jagan Mohini on a Maha Shivaratri day ( Ayyappan may be in young
stage as Balaka ). Iyyanar is a Grama Nattar deivam, usually found near eris,
tanks, kulams etc., Iyyanar is so powerful and has the power of giving order to
Ashtadikpalakas and Dharma devathai. Hence Iyyanar is also called as Dharma
sastha. Since Iyyanar is a Nattar Deivam of Villages, Villagers worships as a
Kula Deivam and pray for better harvest, get relief from the poisonous
creatures like snakes and to save their
Villages. Karuppanna Swamy is one of the Parivara Deity of Iyyanar. In addition
to this there many male and female parivara Deities also. The Villagers used to
offer Horse, Dog, Elephant, Snake etc for their wishes granted.
Why
the Sankarachariyar image and Sannidhis are built in a Village Deity Iyyanar
Temple is not known.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from Regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri days, since
he was born of a Shivaratri day.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30
hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
Mobile number +91 9941115319 or +91 9841104919 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
This
Iyyanar aka Dharmasastha temple is on Park View Street, in Alwarthirunagar, a
part of Valasaravakkam.
The
temple is 5 KM from Vadapalani Murugan Temple, 4.6 KM from Koyambedu bus
terminus and 13 KM from Chennai Central station.
Nearest
Railway Station is Vadapalani, Metro station.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
samy saranam
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