The
visit to the Sri Ekambareswarar Temple at Chengalpattu was a part of “Shiva and
Vishnu temples in Chengalpattu Visit”, on 27th 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
10th 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
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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