This
is a separated post from Vadapalani Murugan Temple, already published on 21st
March 2016. This post is an up dated post with Architecture, History & Inscriptions and Legends etc,. Had the chance of visiting 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 facing east with a 7 tier Rajagopuram and small gopuram on all the
other three sides. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of 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 are
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 inner mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum 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
out side 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
pattigai. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of brahma kantha
pilasters with vettu pothyals. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam.
The Mandapam was constructed abutting the prastaram. The super structure
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 Pallava period and reconstructed during Chozha
period. Only few sculptures are left to prove its antiquity. No inscriptions
was found on the adhistanam or on the walls since the surface was grinded
without leaving any evidence of antiquity. This temple was in Jayangonda chozha
mandalathu, Puliyur Kottathu Puliyur. This was also called as Kodambakkam.
Kodal, Kodalambakai, Kodalambakkam and now called as Kodambakkam. The surface of the stones are grinded during renovations and we don't know whether there was any inscriptions.
During
my earlier Visit in 2011-2012, the temple was small with out any present concrete
structure. The main Rajagopuram on the east side and 3 rajagopurams on the
three sides are constructed latter.
Maha
Kumbhabhshekam was conducted February 2015.
Pallava period Chandikeswarar
LEGENDS
It
is believed that Adiseshan’s descendant Karkodakan worshipped Maha Vishnu,
hence this place was called as Kodambakkam. Another version is Shiva to kill
Tripura demons, convert the meru hill as bow.
Hence this place was called as 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 Shiva of
this temple. Hence this place was called as Puliyur, Vyaghrapuri and Shiva was
called as Puliyurudayar, Vyagrapureeswarar. Puliyur is also called as
Vengaipuram and hence Shiva is called as Vengeeswarar.
This
Vyaghrapada was the son of Madhyantha Munivar. He learned vedas from his
father. He was interested to worship Shiva before dawn ie before sun light. The
time before honey bees sucks the nectar from the flower. In Dark, he found
difficult to climb up the trees. So he prayed to Shiva and got legs and hands
similar strength like Tiger. Hence he is being called as Vyaghrapada Munivar. ( Vyaghra + pada = Puli + kal = புலி+கால்).
In
another Legend, Maha Vishnu, explained the specialities 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
small snake dropped himself on the palms of Anusya. Seeing the snake, Anusuya frightened
and dropped. The snake felled on her feet. ( பாதத்தில் விழுந்ததால் பதஞ்சலி என அழைக்கப்படுகின்றார் ) From then onwards Adiseshan was
called as 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 pradosham, Fridays.
Amasvasya, Pournami, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar
Chaturthi, Panguni uthiram, Thaipoosam and all important Hindu functions.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to
21.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS:
The
land line Telephone number, +9144 2483 8362 may be contacted for further
details.
HOW
TO REACH :
The
temple is very near to Vadapalani bus stop and new Metro Railway station.
Lot
of town buses 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 inner side
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| ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- |
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