The
visit to this Sri Dharma Sastha (Iyyanar) Temple at Valasaravakkam was part of the “Lesser Known Vishnu, Shiva, Amman Temples of Chennai Visit” on 23rd October 2022. Most of the temples were reconstructed in recent years, and some retain their original structure. All these temples have a long history of Pallava, Chozha, and Vijayanagar.
This
place where Sri Iyyanar temple exists now may be the banks of eri / Kulam. Due
to the urbanization of Valasaravakkam, the
eri might have been converted into residential plots.
Moolavar :
Sri Iyyanar
Consorts : Sri Poorna and Sri Pushkala
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple faces east and has a 3-tier Rajagopuram. The stucco image of Dwarapalakas
is on the Adhi talam. Periya Karuppan and Chinna Karuppan are Dwarapalakas
at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. Balipeedam and Elephant vahana are after
the Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Iyyanar
with Poorna and Pushkala are on the top of the entrance of the sanctum
sanctorum. Moolavar Iyyanar is in a sitting posture, holding a chendu in the right
hand. His right leg is hanging, and a Yoga patti holds the left leg up. All three deities are wearing makuda.
In
Praharam Annapoorani, Vishnu Durgai, Mangalambigai, Vinayagar as Nithyandha
Ganapathi, Nagars, Rahu, Ketu, Sri Valli Devasena Kumaresa Perumal, Shirdi
Saibaba, Navagrahas, Dhana Aharshana
Bairavar. In addition to this, Adi Sankara, 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 on a 3-foot platform. The sanctum Sanctorum is on an adhistanam. The Vimanam is not
visible from the praharam since the praharam is completely covered with cement
concrete ceiling. The entire temple has been reconstructed with bricks and cement concrete in 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 belong to the 20th or 21st century.
The
construction of Rajagopuram was started on 24th January 2004. Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 01st December 2004 after the 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 the 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 to give order to
Ashtadikpalakas and Dharma Devathai. Hence, Iyyanar is also called Dharma
Sastha. Since Iyyanar is a Nattar Deivam of Villages, Villagers worship as a
Kula Deivam and pray for better harvest, get relief from poisonous
creatures like snakes, and save their
Villages. Karuppanna Swamy is one of the Parivara Deity of Iyyanar. In addition
to this, there are many male and female Parivar Deities also. The Villagers used to
offer horses, dogs, elephants, snakes, etc. for their wishes to be 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 on a Shivaratri day.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30
hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
Mobile numbers +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.
The nearest
Railway Station is Vadapalani, Metro station.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
samy saranam
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