Sri Thirumalai Nathar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ திருமலை நாதர் கோயில், Sri Sivalokanathar Temple/ஸ்ரீ சிவலோகநாதர் கோயில், Melakondaiyur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thirumalai Nathar Temple was a part of Week 569, abhishekam arranged by Ancient Shiva Temples & Shivamayam, on 28^th September 2025. Thanks to Mr. Muralidharan S for including me in the abhishekam. This place is about a km from Sivan Voyil, which means the abode or entrance of Shiva, and the Sanskrit rendering of the name would be Shiva dvara. True to its importance, the village contains the remains of the old temple of Shiva when we approach the village from the north. 

Moolavar  : Sri Thirumalai Nathar

Consort    : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the east side. Moolavar is a little small on a square avudaiyar. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in the mandapam. In koshtam Nardhana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. Ambal Sri Kamakshi is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is standing in sama bangha posture, holding pasa angusam in the upper hands, and her lower hands are in abhaya varada hastam.

In the praharam, Chandran, Suryan, Nalvar, Maha Ganapathy, Maha Vishnu, Murugan, Sri Sivalokanathar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, and Bairavar.

On the north east corner of the temple premises are two unfinished Rishabams, Dakshinamurthy, and a Pallava period Murugan. Murugan is in abhaya hastam.

Chandikeswarar

 Murugan

 Bairavar.

Chandran

Dakshinamurthy

 Duragai

 Brahma

SRI SIVALOKANATHAR TEMPLE

Moolavar  : Sri Sivalokanathar

Consort    : Sri Sivalokanayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

This temple is on the right side of the Sri Thirumalai Nathar Temple. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised level. Moolavar is a little big on a round avudaiyar. Sri Shiva and Parvati are on the back wall. Ambal Sri Sivalokanayaki and a Rishi/ Siddhar are on the right side of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. 

Sri Sivalokanathar

Sri Sivaloka Nayaki

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, a mukha mandapam, and an open maha mandapam. The total temple was built with bricks and concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on an adhistanam. A two-tala vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The Shiva, Shiva with Ambal, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.   

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple belongs to the 8^th to 9^th Century Pallava period. The temple was reconstructed in the 20^th century. The sandstone Murugan and Suriyan are believed to belong to the Pallava period, the original temple.

The sandstone Murugan

Suriyan

Suriyan

It is said that Siddhar Sri Santhana Krishnan was instrumental in constructing the Sri Sivalokanathar Temple, the front maha mandapam, and the praharam floors. The siddhar’s Samadhi is in front of the temple.

Siddhar Sri Santhana Krishnan Samadhi

The Rettai Pillaiyar Temple, Amman Temple, and Sri Selliamman Temples are around this temple within 100 meters.

Rettai Pillaiyar Temple

Rettai Pillaiyar Temple

Sri Selliamman Temple

Amman Temple

LEGENDS

It is said that the temple was called Thiru Mullainathar Temple, and the same has been corrupted to the present name of Thirumalai Nathar Temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri Days.

Bharatha Natyam classes are conducted on Sundays. During our visit, Uzhavaram was in progress in the premises by the Sivanadiyar Group.

Uzhavaram

Bharatha Natyam

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Gurukkal Rajappa may be contacted on his mobile +919626217640 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Melakondaiyur is about 2 km from Periyapalayam High Road, 10.9 km from Thiruninravur, 12.8 km from Pattabiram, 17 km from Avadi and Tiruvallur, and 36 km from Koyambedu.

The nearest Railway Station is Thiruninravur.

 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

PC: Karthikeyan B

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Ekambareswarar Temple/ Aurulmigu Sri Kamatshi Amman Udanurai Thiru Ekambareswar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ காமாக்ஷி அம்மன் சமேத ஸ்ரீ ஏகாம்பரேஸ்வரர் கோவில், Chengalpattu, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Sri Ekambareswarar Temple at Chengalpattu was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu temples in Chengalpattu Visit”, on 27^th July 2025. During ancient times, this place was called Sengazhunirpattu, which has become Chengalpattu now. Even though the visit to this temple was not planned, after Sri Kothanda Ramar’s darshan, on the way to the Railway Station, I visited this Shiva Temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Ekambareswarar

Consort    : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east, with an entrance on the south side. A 3-tier Rajagopuram is on the south side. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple on the east side. Dwarapalakas are in the form of a painting. Moolavar is small on a round avudayar. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma.

In the praharam, Chandikeswarar, Nagars, a Shiva Lingam, Nalvar, Suryan, Bairavar, and Ambal Sri Kamakshi.

Ambal Kamakshi is in a separate sannidhi in the ardha mandapam facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. 

In the outer praharam, Vinayagar, Vasantha mandapam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Saniswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, and Nagars under a Peepal tree.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The stucco image of Shiva’s family is on the top of the east side entrance. A brick two-tala vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in tala and greeva koshtams. The total temple was constructed with brick and cement concrete.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may be 200 to 300 years old. Still, the renovation works are in full swing. Construction of Vinayagar sannidhi, Vasantha mandapam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Rishaba mandapam, Bairavar’s sannidhi, east side arch, and office building are in progress.

The temple has shops and property on the same street.

The 10^th April, 1904, inscription on the entrance wall records the donation of 8 acres and 43 cents of nanjai land to this temple towards thirupani by Kanakku. Pu. Rathnammal. The inscription records the details of the lands at the end. The inscription warns that this has to be used only for the thirupani and not for other purposes. The details of the thirupani have to be submitted to her successors and the public.

LEGENDS

Since there is no separate legend for this temple, the common legend of Kancheepuram Ekambaraeswarar / Kamakshi Amman Temple may apply to this temple.

As per the legend, Goddess Kamakshi playfully closed the eyes of Shiva. Due to this, the world had become dark, and the living suffered. Angered, Shiva cursed Ma Parvati to go to earth. Ma Parvati, as Kamakshi, came to Kancheepuram, did a penance on Shiva, standing on one leg. She made a Shiva Linga out of Palar River sand and worshipped. When the Palar River flooded, she embraced the Sand Shiva Linga to save herself from the flood. The embraced marks can be seen on the moolavar. Satisfied with the devotion and prayer, Shiva accepted her, and they became united.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Adipooram, Thaipoosam, New Year days, Fridays, Sundays, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1.5 km from the Railway Station, 32 km from Tambaram Railway Station, and 58 km from Chennai Central Railway Station.

The nearest Railway Station/ Junction is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple/ஸ்ரீ வீரபத்ர சுவாமி கோயில், Chengalpattu, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple at Chengalpattu was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples of Chengalpattu Visit”, on 27^th July 2025. During ancient times, this place was called Sengazhunirpattu, which has become Chengalpattu now. This is one of the temples dedicated to Veerabhadra Swamy, along with Daksha.

Moolavar: Sri Veerabhadra Swamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance. Balipeedam and a Rishabam are in front of the temple. In the sanctum sanctorum, Sri Veerabhadra Swamy is in a standing posture along with Dakshan in the goat’s head. The Moolavar Sri Veerabhadra Swamy is in the form of a bas relief on a flat stone. He holds an arrow and a bow in his upper hands, and his lower right hand holds a sword, and his left hand is dola hastam (or holding anything is not visible). There are no koshta images.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum and a mukha mandapam. The total temple was constructed with bricks and concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on adhistanam with an eka tala vesara vimanam.

On top of the entrance mukha mandapam, a stucco image of Veerabhadra.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Moolavar may be 300 to 400 years old, and the temple was constructed in recent years.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Daksha, father of Dakshayani, did a yaga, without inviting Shiva, and also without giving the due share. When Dakshayani’s effort failed, she jumped into the agni khund and died. Shiva became very angry and sent Veerabhadra to destroy the yaga. Veerabhadra destroyed the yaga and severed the head of Dhaksha. At the request of the celestial deities, Veerabhadra replaced the head with a Goat’s head. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1.5 km from the Railway Station, 32 km from Tambaram Railway Station, and 58 km from Chennai Central Railway Station.

The nearest Railway Station/ Junction is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple/ ஸ்ரீ கோதண்ட ராமசாமி கோவில், Chengalpattu, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Sri Kothanda Ramar Temple at Chengalpattu was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples of Chengalpattu Visit”, on 27^th July 2025. During ancient times, Chengalpattu was called Sengazhunirpattu, which has now become Chengalpattu. This Sri Kothanda Ramar temple was inside the Chengalpattu fort till 1885, where the Public Works Department offices, Chengalpattu Special Home for Children, Juvenile Justice Court, and Juvenile Jail exist now.

Moolavar  : Sri Pattabhi Ramar

Utsavar    : Sri Kothanda Ramar

Moolavar  : Sri Varadaraja Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Perundevi Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a mottai gopuram. Stucco images of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and Hanuman are on the top of the mottai gopuram. Deepa sthambam, Dwajasthambam, and Anjaneyar are after the mottai gopurm. The Dwarapalakas Jayan and Vijayan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and Hanuman are in pattabhisheka kolam. Rama is sitting posture of abhaya hastam. Sita is also in a sitting posture with her right leg touching the ground and her left leg in uthkudi asana. The left hand rests on the knee as pallava hastam. Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrugna are in a standing posture with Anjali hastam. The Utsavar Kothanda Ramar is with Sita, Lakshmana, and Anjaneyar, holding a bow.

Sri Varadaraja Perumal is in a separate sannidhi in the ardha mandapam. Sri Varadaraja Perumal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Utsavar Sri Varadaraja Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Garudan is just opposite to Moolavar sannidhi. Alwars are also in the ardha mandapam.

In the inner praharam, Sri Venugopala Swamy (Both moolavar and Utsavar) and Andal (both Utsavar and moolavar).

Venu Gopala Swamy

Andal

In the outer praharam, 18 pillar mukha mandapa, 4 pillar mandapa, Sri Perundevi Thayar, Veera Anjaneyar, who controlled Sani Bhagavan, Kannadi arai, Vahana mandapam, and madapalli.

Sri Perundevi Thayar is in a separate temple that faces east, on the south side of the main temple. Thayar is in a sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Sri Veera Anjaneyar is in a separate sannidhi, faces east on the north side of the main temple. Anjaneyar’s right hand is in abhaya hastam, and the left hand holds a lotus bud. The Saniswaran is under his feet.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on upanam. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters. The vimanam above the sanctum sanctorum is of 3 tiers with vesara sigaram. Maha Vishnu’s various avatar postures are on the tala and greeva koshtams. The ardha mandapa and mukha mandapa pillars have the bas reliefs of the donors, Maha Vishnu’s various avatars, and some erotic sculptures.

The Thayar’s temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The Pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with a square base and naga bandham, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and pushpa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The two tala vesara sigara brick vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Thayar’s various forms are on the tala and greeva kostams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that Sri Varadharaja Perumal, along with the Thayar temples were existed in this place. The murtis of  Pattabhi Ramar, his brothers, and Anjaneyar are shifted from the Chengalpattu fort and installed in this temple.

There are two inscriptions found in this temple. A 13^th to 14^th century Pandya King Veera Pandya, period inscription is found on the south wall of Thayar’s Temple. This inscription records the endowment of burning a sandhi lamp by Thiruvekambamudaiyan. The inscription also mentions Thirumallichuramudiya Nayanar. Hence, the temple may belong to the Pandya period. After the shift of Pattabhi Rama’s Group murtis, the Varadharaja temple was reconstructed in 1885 CE, keeping Varadharaja’s sannidhi in the ardha mandapam and Pattabhi Rama’s group as presiding deities in the sanctum sanctorum.  

Another 16th-century Vijayanagara King Sri Ranga Raya’s inscription near the Anjaneyar Temple.

As per the inscription on the right side of the Mottai Gopuram entrance, the Pattabhi Rama and other images are inside the Vijayanagara Nayaka king Thimmaraja, built fort, presently where the Railway Station exists. In 1885 CE, the Pattabhi Rama Group of images was shifted to this reconstructed temple by Shri Venkata Narayana Naidu and Shri Venkatachala Pillai. In 1887 CE, the mandapas, entrance mottai gopuram, and Compound walls were constructed. The Maha Samprokshanam was also conducted. The required funds contributors are Court Lawyers, Mangadu Kuppusamy Naidu, Nemmeli Ramakrishnayya & parties. The other contributors are Hindu Saswatha Paribala Nidhi, Hindu Kudumba Jeevanathara Nidhi, Moksha Samprakskshiya Nidhi, and Sri Kothandaramaswamy Boshaka Nidhi.

Maha samprokshanam was conducted in recent years on 25^th April 2012.

Pandya King Veera Pandya's inscription

1885 CE inscription

LEGENDS

One of the specialties of this temple is the Veera Anjaneyar or Hanuman / Anjaneya, who controlled Sani Bhagavan. The Sani Bhagavan is under the feet of Anjaneyar. Anjaneyar is with two hands. The right hand is abhaya hastam, and the left hand holds a flower. It is believed that worshipping Anjaneyar of this temple will relieve one from Sani dosha. Devotees offer special prayers on Sani peyarchi days.  

As per the legend of Veera Anjaneya, who controls Saniswara, it is as follows….

Saniswaran used to get hold every one for a period of 2.5 years and 7.5 years (Ezharai Sani) in addition to Janma Sani, pada sani, etc. For this, Hanuman is not exempt. Saniswaran is about to hold Hanuman for 7.5 years, when he was about to jump from India. Hanuman told Sani to catch him after he returns from Srilanka. Again, Saniswaran tried to hold Hanuman when Rama and Hanuman’s team was constructing a bridge to reach Srilanka. Hanuman told that he can hold his head. Hanuman took a big boulder on his head to construct the bridge. Saniswaran was caught between the boulder and Hanuman’s head. Couldn’t tolerate the pain, he cried and requested Hanuman to hold some other parts of his body. Hanuman agreed to hold his legs. Before Saniswaran catches the legs, Hanuman crushes Saniswaran under his feet. Hence, Hanuman told his devotees, whoever prays, him will get relieved from Sani dosha. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Ramar Jayanthi, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Sani Peyarchi days, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers of the Bhattar, +9194440 77148 and +91 94440 77151, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1.5 km from the Railway Station, 32 km from Tambaram Railway Station, and 58 km from Chennai Central Railway Station.

The nearest Railway Station/ Junction is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Shri Venkata Narayana Naidu, or Shri Venkatachala Pillai, is responsible for reconstructing this temple. 

A Muni - Durgai

Maha Vishnu's Macha avatar - his Leela

Dust bins on a Treasure 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---