While
searching for ancient temples in the Chennai area, that have been renovated in
recent years, found that the temples retain some of their antiquity of the old
temple components or sculptures, etc. In the process, I came across this Thiru
Neelakandeswarar Temple, at Keelkattalai during my visit on 24th
April 2024. This temple has some antique evidence with some unique features.
அவ் வினைக்கு இவ் வினை
ஆம் என்று சொல்லும் அஃது அறிவீர்
உய்வினை நாடாது இருப்பதும்
உம்தமக்கு ஊனம்அன்றே
கை வினை செய்து எம்பிரான்
கழல் போற்றுதும் நாம்அடியோம்
செய்வினை வந்து எமைத்
தீண்டப்பெறா திருநீலகண்டம்
… திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
Moolavar : Thiru Neelakandeswarar
Consort : Sri Neela Nira Umaiyammai
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…..
The
temple faces east with a 3-tier slim Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam
are after the Rajagopuram. Vinayagar and Murugar are at the entrance of
Rajagopuram. Moolavar is a little tall around avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu,
Brahma and Durgai.
In
Praharam, Nalvar, Maha Ganapathi, Nagars, Rahu, Ketu, Thirukalathi Nathar, Sri
Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar and
Veerabhadra.
Ambal
is in a separate sannidhi facing east. Ambal Neela Nira Umaiyammai is short and
in standing posture with Abhaya varada hastam.
Utsavars
and Natarajar are on the right side of Rishaba mandapam. There is a sannidhi
for Natarajar, Manickavasagar, and Sivakama Sundari made out of stone. This
sannidhi is facing South.
Veerabhadra
ARCHITECTURE
The
whole temple was constructed with brick and cement concrete. The sanctum
sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistaanam. The prastaram consists of valapi and
kapotam. The Vimanam is of eka tala with greevam and vesara sigaram.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
was said that the Shiva Lingam and Rishabam have been under a Neem tree for many years and are believed to belong to the 11th to 12th Century, Chozha period and there is no evidence to
prove the same. A new temple was constructed along with Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar, and Balamurugan, Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 10th June 1991. These are installed by Mayilai Mamunivar Guruji Sundarram Swamigal.
The special features of the temple are, the Natarajar, Sivakami, and Manickavasagar are made out of Stone in addition to metal.
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, to get Amirtha, Devas, and Asuras churned the Thiruparkadal with Manthara Hill as maththu and Vasuki
as rope. The snake Vasuki couldn’t bear the pain and vomited its poison. To
save the Amirtha, Shiva tried to drink the poison. Before he swallowed, Ambal stopped
at the throat, pressing through her fingers. Due to this, the throat / Kandam –
in Tamil, had become blue color. Hence Shiva is called Neelakandeswarar and
Ambal as Neela Nira Umaiyammai.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri,
Sankada Hara Chaturthi, Thaipoosam, Panguni Uthiram, Sani Peyarchi, Guru Peyarchi, etc,.
Bairavar
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs. to 11.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs. to
20.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW
TO REACH
The
temple is at Kelkattalai a part of Chennai city.
The
Temple is 4 KM from Pallavaram, 6 KM from Medavakkam Koot Road and Velachery
railway station, 11 KM from Tambaram, and 22 KM from Chennai Central.
The nearest railway station is Pallavaram.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Nanmangalam lake
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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