This
is a separate post from Vadapalani Murugan Temple, already published on 21st
March 2016. This post is an updated post with Architecture, History & Inscriptions, Legends, etc. Had the chance to visit the temple once again on 11th
May 2024.
Moolavar
: Sri Vengeeswarar
Consort
: Sri Santhanayaki
Some
of the important features of this temple are...
The
temple faces east with a 7-tier Rajagopuram and small gopuram on all the
other three sides. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar
is of little big in size. In koshtam,
Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Nalvar are in the
ardha mandapam.
In
the praharam Sri Vara Siddhi Vinayagar,
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar & Visalakshi,
Maha Lakshmi, Bairavar, Suriyan,
madapalli, Urchavar kalyana mandapam, Urchavar
mandapam, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Saneeswarar, Chandran, Muneeswarar, Veerabhadra
and Yagasalai.
Ambal
is in a separate Temple like sannidhi with images of Amman’s various forms at the top of the entrance. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. A stucco image of Ambal on the east side wall
of the inner mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum, antarala, and ardha mandapam, and a open
mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam are about 2 feet below
the ground level. A mandapam was built around the sanctum Sanctorum connected
with mukha mandapam.
The
outside floor level was raised up to Kumudam level. The sanctum sanctorum is of
Gajaprishta style on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, 3 patta kumudam, and
pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Brahma kantha
pilasters with Vettu pothiyals. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam.
The Mandapam was constructed abutting the prastaram. The superstructure of Vimanam is also constructed in Gajaprishta style with bricks and cement. The
Vimanam is of 2 talas and stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu
and Brahma are on the Tala and Greeva koshtams. The sigaram is also of Gajaprishta style with 5 Kalasas.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
original temple belongs to the Pallava period and was reconstructed during the Chozha
period. Only a few sculptures are left to prove its antiquity. No inscriptions
were found on the adhistanam or on the walls since the surface was ground
without leaving any evidence of antiquity. This temple was in Jayangonda Chozha Mandalathu, Puliyur Kottathu Puliyur. This was also called Kodambakkam.
Kodal, Kodalambakai, Kodalambakkam and now called as Kodambakkam. The surface of the stones was ground during renovations and we don't know whether there were any inscriptions.
During
my earlier Visit in 2011-2012, the temple was small without any present concrete
structure. The main Rajagopuram on the east side and 3 rajagopurams on the
three sides are constructed later.
Maha
Kumbhabhshekam was conducted in February 2015.
Pallava period Chandikeswarar
LEGENDS
It
is believed that Adiseshan’s descendant Karkodakan worshipped Maha Vishnu,
hence this place was called Kodambakkam. Another version is Shiva kills
Tripura demons and converts the Meru hill into a bow.
Hence this place was called Kodu + Ambu + Akkam – Kodambakkam ( Kodu –
Hill ).
In
another legend, The Vyaghrapada ( who has Tiger legs – Vyaghra - Tiger ),
before worshipping Natarajar of Chidambaram, installed and worshipped the Shiva of
this temple. Hence this place was called Puliyur, Vyaghrapuri, and Shiva was
called Puliyurudayar, Vyagrapureeswarar. Puliyur is also called Vengaipuram and hence Shiva is called Vengeeswarar.
This
Vyaghrapada was the son of Madhyantha Munivar. He learned Vedas from his
father. He was interested in worshipping Shiva before dawn ie before sunlight. The
time before honey bees sucks the nectar from the flower. In the Dark, he found it difficult to climb up the trees. So he prayed to Shiva and got legs and hands
similar strength of a Tiger. Hence he is being called Vyaghrapada Munivar. ( Vyaghra + pada = Puli + kal = புலி+கால்).
In
another Legend, Maha Vishnu explained the specialties of Shiva’s dance.
Adiseshan requested Maha Vishnu to give permission to see the dance of Shiva.
Athiri Maharishi and his wife Anusuya did a penance on Maha Vishnu for the Child boon. Adiseshan in the form of a small snake dropped himself on the palms of Anusya. Seeing the snake, Anusuya was frightened
and dropped. The snake fell on her feet. ( பாதத்தில் விழுந்ததால் பதஞ்சலி என அழைக்கப்படுகின்றார் ) From then onwards Adiseshan was
called Pathanjali and was grown as their child. He did penance on Shiva to
get the Dance darshan and had the same at this place.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosam, Fridays.
Amasvasya, Pournami, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar
Chaturthi, Panguni Uthiram, Thaipoosam, and all important Hindu functions.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to
21.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS:
The
landline Telephone number, +9144 2483 8362 may be contacted for further
details.
HOW
TO REACH :
The
temple is very near to the Vadapalani bus stop and the new Metro Railway station.
A lot of town buses are available from various parts of Chennai city.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
East side 7 tier Rajagopuram
North side gopuram
Gajabirusta moolavar vimanam
Temple view from the inner side
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| ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- |
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