Sri Ramalingeswarar Temple, Ramalinga Nagar, Nerkundram, Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.

While the “Sivamayam Group - Ancient Shiva Temples” was preparing for the 599^th week abishekam at Sri Athmalingeswarar Temple, Dayasadan, Nerkundram, on 26^th April 2026, I had been to this Sri Ramalingeswarar Temple at Ramalinga Nagar, Nerkundram.

Moolavar  : Sri Ramalingeswarar

Consort    : Sri Parvathavardini

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance from the west. Balipeedam, Rishabam, and a small kodimaram are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate Sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam.

In praharam, Vinayagar (speciality is Vinayagar is sitting on his Vahana Moonjuru, apart from a Vahana in front), Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Nagars, Natarajar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Swarna Bairavar, Adhi Varaaki, Nalvar, Ayyappan, Anjaneyar, and Chandikeswarar.

Vinayagar sitting on his vahana 

 Ambal (old) - Durga (new)

Rishabam (Old)

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was built with bricks and concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam, adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of virudha pilasters with a square base, with kalasam, kudam, palakai and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The vimanam over the bhumi desam is with one tala, greevam and Nagara sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that the temple is 400 to 500 years old, based on the iconography of Vinayagar, Ambal, and Rishabam. The present structure was built, and maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 19^th November 2010.

LEGENDS

It is believed that the Shiva Lingam was installed and worshipped by Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana. Please note that his sons installed and worshipped Shiva Lingas at Koyambedu.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Thai Poosam, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Kruthigai, Pournami, Amavasya, Theipirai Ashtami, Panchami, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and from 17.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Archakar C, Venkata Subramaniyam Ayyar may be contacted on his mobile number +917358260146, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the NT Patel Road (Nerkundram), from Dayasadan Street – Mandaveli Street and then NT Patel Road, from Vellore - Chennai Road/ EVR Periyar Salai.

The temple is 3.5 km from Koyambedu Metro Station and Koyambedu Junction, and 4.8 km from Koyambedu Bus Terminus.   

The nearest Railway Station is Koyambedu Metro Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Athmalingeswarar Temple, Sentamil Nagar, Nerkundram, Koyambedu, Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Athmaligeswarar Temple, at Sentamil Nagar, Nerkundram, was part of the 599^th week abhishekam conducted by the “Sivamayam Group - Ancient Shiva Temples” on 26^th April 2026.  

Moolavar  : Sri Athmalingeswarar

Consort    : Sri Abhayambhigai / Sri Kamalambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a balipeedam and Rishabam in the open mukha mandapam. Vinayagar and Murugan are on either side of the ardha mandapam. Stucco images of Shiva, Parvati, a Shiva lingam, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is small on a round avudaiyar. Agasthiyar is also in the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma.

In the praharam, Bairavar, Nagars and Anjaneyar.

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

Agasthiyar

 Rishabam

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was built on a raised level with sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam / antarala and an open, meta colour sheet mukha mandapam. The total temple was built with bricks and concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam, adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The vimanam over the bhumi desam is with one tala, greevam and vesara sigaram. Vinayagar, Maha Vishnu and Murugan are in the tala koshtams. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that the temple is 1000 years old, and there is no evidence to prove its antiquity. Till recent years, an Anjaneyar and a Buddha idol were on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. After the temple was renovated, only Anjaneyar was moved to the praharam, and the Buddha idol is missing.

The renovation was carried out by the private trust, Dayasadan Children's Town Nerkundram, and the maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2025.

The temple is under the control of a private trust, and after the renovation is called Gowri Shankar Temple, Private.

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

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

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs o 11.30 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Gurukkal Kamala Kannam may be contacted on his mobile number +919444108036 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at the start of Dayasadan Street, from Vellore - Chennai Road/ EVR Periyar Salai.

The temple is 2.5 km from Koyambedu Metro Station and Koyambedu Junction, and 3.8 km from Koyambedu Bus Terminus.   

The nearest Railway Station is Koyambedu Metro Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

View before renovation - Left side Anjaneyar, and right side was Buddha

This Buddha is missing from its old place after renovation

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulnilai Buddhar Aalayam/ அருள்நிலை புத்தர் ஆலயம், Pallavaram Pallavamalai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Arulnilai Buddha Temple, on the Pallavaram Hills, was made after a visit to the Gajaprishta Vimana Temple at Sethupattu in Kanchipuram District on 1^st May 2026.

Old Buddha idol

Main Deity: Buddha

Some of the salient features of the temple are…

The Pallavamalai Arulnilai Buddha Vihar (often referred to as Arulnilai Buddha Temple or Pallavaram Buddha Temple) is a serene Buddhist shrine located in Pallavaram, on the north side of the Pallavaram Hills, Chennai, known for its meditation sessions and promotion of Buddhist teachings. It is one of the city's distinct Buddhist spots and frequently hosts Vipassana sessions, often in late March.

It is said that the Arulnilai Buddha Temple was opened about 17 years ago. The original Buddha Statue kept inside was damaged by the locals, and a new Buddha idol was installed in 2022.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers 9952097144, 9787105041, 7299047203, and 9884436820 may be contacted for further details. 

LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Siddhanandeswarar Temple /ஶ்ரீ சித்தாநந்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Sethupattu, Somangalam, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Siddhanandeswarar Temple at Sethupattu, near Somangalam & Manimangalam, was part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temple in Kanchipuram District on 1^st May 2026. This place, Sethupattu, is on the banks of Manimangalam Lake.

Moolavar  : Sri Siddhanandeswarar

Consort    : Sri Periya Nayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple faces east, with the temple tank. The entrance arch is on the south side. Stucco images of dwarapalakas are on either side of the arch. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the entrance arch. A Rishabam and a balipeedam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai are in the koshtams.

In the praharam, Selva Vinayagar, Brahma Sastha, Ambal Periya Nayagi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Bairavar, Agasthiyar with his consort, Chandikeswarar and Navagrahas.

Ambal Periya Nayagi is in a separate Sannidhi that faces east. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam.

Brahma Sastha, Ambal Periya Nayagi, and Bairavar

Agasthiyar

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was built with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum and the ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape on a pada bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The pilasters on the bhitti start from pattikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam, with nasi kudus. The vimanm over the bhumi desam is with one tala/ upari tala, greevam and “Gajaprishta Sigaram” with three kalas. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma.

Vinayagar Sannidhi, Shiva Sannidhi, Brahma Sastha sannidhi and Ambal Periya Nayagi sannidhi are built in a line that faces east. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that an old temple existed in the same place, and the new temple was built on the same spot. The construction work might have started around 2016, and the new temple was consecrated in January 2020.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, the Shiva Lingam was installed and worshipped by Agasthiyar on the way to Pothigai Hills.

It is believed that Siddhars are also worshipped as the Moolavar of this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since the orukala pooja is conducted, the exact opening and closing times of the temple are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This place, Sethupattu, is on the banks of Manimangalam Lake, 2.8 km from Manimangalam, about 5 km from Somangalam, 12 km from Sriperumbudur, and 13.2 km from Tambaram.

The nearest Railway Station is Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Ambal Sannidhi

Brahma Sastha Sannidhi

Moolavar sannidhi

Navagrahas 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---