Dattatreya Temple / Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram / ஶ்ரீ கணபதி சச்சிதானந்தா ஆஷ்ரம், Sachchidananda Nagar, Sheshadripuram Main Road, Velachery, Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.

It was a long wish to visit this temple. Initially, I couldn’t locate this Dattatreya Temple. Ms. Srividhya’s article helped me reach the temple at Baby Nagar, a part of Velachery, and near the Vijayanagar bus Stop.

Main Deity        : Sri Dattatreyar

Consort            : Sri Anagha Devi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east. Stucco images of Dattatreya with his consort, Dogs, and Rishabam are on the top of the entrance. Stucco Elephants are on both sides of the temple entrance. Dattatreya, Vishveshwara, and Rajarajeswari Sannidhis are in a row -South to North, facing east.

In Dattatreya’s sannidhi, Dattatreya is with his consort, Sri Anagha Devi. Dattatreya is in a standing posture with 3 heads and 6 arms. The center head is Maha Vishnu, the right is Brahma, and the Left is Shiva. The lower hands are holding an accamala and a kendy/kamandalam. The Middle hands are holding the Damaru (in some cases Trishul with Damaru or without Damaru)  and lotus flower (in some cases a gatha), and the Upper hands are holding Chakra and Sankha. His consort Anaka Devi is with abhaya varada hastam.  

Sri Rajarajeswari is in a separate sannidhi facing east. Vinayagar and Balamurugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Varahi, Durgai, and Gayatri.

In Praharam Kariya Siddhi Hanuman, Vishveshwara, Dakshinamurthy, Danvantri, Sri Lakshmi Hayagreevar, and  Navagrahas.  

Dattatreya with his consort Sri Anagha Devi - PC Website

Vishveshwara, PC Website

Sri Lakshmi Hayagreevar, PC Website

Danvantri, PC Website

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was built with bricks and concrete. All three temples have only a sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum is built with upana (about 3 feet), padabandha adhistanam, and pattika. The bhitti starts with vedika. The prastaram is with valapi and kapotam. Eka tala dravida vimanas are in the sanctum sanctorum.  

 Vimanas

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This Dattatreya temple was established by the Mysore Datta Peetadhipati Parama Poojya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachidhanantha Swamiji in 1987. Kariya Siddhi Anjaneya sannidhi was established in 1999, and Rajarajeswari was established in the year 2004. 

The temple was badly damaged during the 2015 flood and the 2016 Vardha cyclone. The total temple structure was pulled down, and temples were constructed in the same place. Dakshinamurthy, Danvanthiri, Lakshmi Hayagreevar, and Vishveshwara sannidhis were added during the reconstruction. The reconstructed temple’s maha Kumbhabhishekam was initiated on 28^th February 2018, with Dattatreya Homam, Chandi Homam, Anjaneyar Homam, Rudra Homam, etc. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted by Datta Peetadhipathi Parama Poojya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachidhanantha Swamiji and Ilaya Peetadhipathi Poojya Sri Swamiji Vijayanantha Theertha Swamiji on 4^th March 2018.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Dattatreya is believed to be a combined incarnation of Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva.  He is considered an exceptional Rishi with extraordinary insights and knowledge. In the Puranas, he is considered a Guru and an avatar of Maha Vishnu. As per the Puranas, Dattatreya renounced this worldly life and left home at an early age to attain gnana. Dattatreya is shown with 3 heads, in which the center is Vishnu’s head, and Brahma and Shiva’s heads are on the right and left side. He is shown with 6 hands. The upper hand holds the sankha & chakra, the middle hand holds  Trishul with Damaru &  Lotus / gatha, and the Lower hand holds acca mala and Kamandala, portraying Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva.

Dattatreya was the son of Atri Maharishi and Anusuya. Atri was born to Brahma, and his wife Anusuya was the daughter of the sage Kardama and Devahuti. He did penance on Brahma to attain Brahma Gnana. Anusuya devoted her life sincerely to her husband Atri, as Chastity  & Sacred, and followed the path of Dharma. Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva want to show Anusuya’s supremacy and Chastity to this world through testing her. All three came to the ashram in the form of 3 saints when Atri was away. All three told her they would have their food only if Anusuya served food naked since they practiced different austerities. Anusuya readily accepted the saint’s request. Since she followed Dharma and was superior in chastity, she turned all three saints into newborn infants. She fed all three with milk from her breasts. In the meantime, Atri Maharishi returned home and found his wife feeding the three children. Through his third Vision, he came to know that all three babies were none other than Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva, who came in the form of saints.

When Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Parvati came to know that their husbands were in Atri’s ashram as Children, they pleaded with Atri and Anusuya to change back to their original form.  All three offered Anusuya a boon, whatever she wanted. Anusuya asked a boon of the Trimurtis that they should be born to her as her Children. All three granted the boon to Anusuya. Hence, Dattatreya was born to Anusuya with three heads and 6 hands, to signify Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva.

The 24 Gurus that Dattatreya found in nature and society have become famous and a part of the Puranas and scriptures. Some of them are earth, wind, fire, sky, water, moon, sun, pigeons, pythons, snakes, dogs, Cows, and a few more.  He is closely associated with many legends and puranas, like Kartavirya Arjuna with 1000 hands, Bhakta Prahlada, etc. One such legend goes like this…

As per the legend, the Demon Jamba defeated the Devas and chased them away from the three worlds. He started ruling all three worlds and gave frequent troubles to the Devas. Unbearable, Devas sought the help of Dattatreya, as advised by Brihaspati. At that time, Maha Lakshmi was in the ashram with Dattatreya. When Jamba came to know that the Devas went to Dattatreya’s ashram for help, he came to the ashram along with his army to fight with the Devas and Dattatreya. On seeing the beauty of Maha Lakshmi, Jamba falls in love and wants Maha Lakshmi to take with him. The demon Jamba and his army lost their strength and power after seeing the beauty of Maha Lakshmi. The Devas immediately attacked Jamba, their army, and chased them away from three lokas/worlds.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are also conducted. The Ashtami day in the Margazhi month is observed as Anaghashtami Vratham. This signifies the worship of Anaka Dattar, who gained the ashtama siddhis as a child. Dattatreya Utsavam is also celebrated grandly.  

One of the special prayers is offered to Sri Anjaneyar in this temple. Those who have some wishes have to tie a coconut at this Anjaneyar sannidhi. It is believed that their wishes will be fulfilled within a month. 

Hanuman with Coconuts is tied as a part of the prayer. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline numbers +9144 2233879 and mobile numbers +919600003651 and +9198840277369 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This Dattatreya Temple is at Sachchidananda Nagar,  near Baby Nagar, Seshadripuram Main Road, a part of Velachery.

The temple is about 500 meters from the Baby Nagar bus stop and about a km from the Vijayanagar Bus Stand.

The nearest MRTS railway station is Velachery.   

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Kandaswamy Temple / Kandhakottam Temple / Sri Muthukumaraswamy Devasthanam Kandakottam Temple /ஶ்ரீ முத்துக்குமாரசுவாமி தேவஸ்தானம் கந்தகோட்டம் கோயில், Rattan Bazar, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kandaswamy Temple on Nyniappa Street, Rattan Bazar in Park Town, was a part of the “Shiva and Amman Temples Visit” in Park Town and George Town areas on 22^nd March 2015. Many Shiva and Amman temples are spread in these areas. Some of the temples are 500 years old and have a long history. Thanks to the donors, who donated the land, properties, and money for constructing these temples and ensuring continuous poojas. 

Ramalinga Adigalar, aka Vallalar, has sung hymns in Thiru Arutpa, praising Murugan of this temple. He calls this temple “Kandhakottam”.

ஒருமையுடன் நினதுதிரு மலரடி நினைக்கின்ற

        உத்தமர் தம் உறவுவேண்டும்

உள்ஒன்று வைத்துப் புறம்பொன்று பேசுவார்

        உறவுகல வாமைவேண்டும்

பெருமைபெறு நினதுபுகழ் பேசவேண் டும்பொய்மை

        பேசா திருக்கவேண்டும்

பெருநெறி பிடித்தொழுக வேண்டும்மத மானபேய்

        பிடியா திருக்கவேண்டும்

மருவுபெண் ஆசையை மறக்கவே வேண்டும்உனை

        மறவா திருக்கவேண்டும்

மதிவேண்டும் நின்கருணை நிதிவேண்டும் நோயற்ற

        வாழ்வில்நான் வாழவேண்டும்

தருமமிகு சென்னையில் கந்தகோட்டத்துள் வளர்

        தலம்ஓங்கு கந்தவேளே

தண்முகத் துய்யமணி உண்முகச் சைவமணி

        சண்முகத் தெய்வமணியே

Moolavar  : Sri Kandaswamy

Utsavar    : Sri Muthukumara Swamy

Consorts  : Sri Valli Devasena

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

The temple faces north with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. In the Square sanctum, Vinayagar, Veerabhagu, Urchavar, Urchava murti, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Shiva and Parvathi, and Arumugam. Moolavar and his consorts are in separate sannidhis. Utsavar is also in a temple-like sannidhi with Dwajasthambam, balipeedam.

In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Durgai. In the inner praharam, Murugan, Kukkudanathar, Mahalakshmi, 63var, and Chandikeswarar.

In the outer praharam sannidhi for Chidambara Swamigal, Dhandapani Swamigal, Kumaraguru Dasa Swamigal, Ramalinga Swamigal, Dwajasthambam, Arunagirinathar, Urchavar mandapam, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Kalvettukkal. On the opposite Temple Tank, Thirukachi Nambigal, Kirubananda Variyar, Natarajar in the wood finish (May be wood too.. - Manickavasagar, Ambal, Viyakrapadar and Patanjali muni), Gnana Dhandapani, Palliyarai, 63var, Dharma Namasivaya, Velur MariChetty (Who is instrumental for this temple construction) and Urchava murti.

Thanks to the Kandhakottam Facebook page 

ARCHITECTURE

In the Square sanctum, Vinayagar, Veerabhagu, Urchavar, Urchava murti, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Shiva, Parvathi, and Arumugam are in a straight line facing east. The sanctum sanctorum and mandapam are built with stone up to the prastaram.  The Adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The upanam is on a padma jagathy. The Kostas are sala style. The jalas are made out of stone beautifully. 

The praharam walls are with stucco images of Arupadai Veedu Murugan's images. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple was constructed by Velur Marichetty, whose image is in the outer praharam, during the 17^th Century.

The 1912 CE inscription on a Shop wall in Mint Street records the endowment of Midday Pooja, Karthigai Somavaram, and Deepam functions by T Raghava Prasad Lala's wife, Kuppammal. For the same, a House with land situated at Chenna Pattinam Peddanaickenpet, Subramania Mudaliar Street, was gifted to this temple. 

The temple activities are managed by the elected trustees from the Beri Chettiar Community. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 2^nd July 2016.

As per 1965, Thiruvalam Swamigal, alias Sri-La-Sri Sivananda Mouna Swamigal's Ashram Copper plate inscriptions, a Silver Chariot was gifted to this temple. 

LEGENDS

The Sthala Purana of this temple is in the form of an inscription (recorded in Chennai Managara KalvettukaL – சென்னை மாநகர கல்வெட்டுக்கள்), and the details are as given below.

ஆயிரவர்களில் ஒருவரான வேளூர் மாரி செட்டியாரும் பஞ்சாளம் கந்த பண்டாரமும் ஒவ்வொரு கார்த்திகையின் பொழுதும் திருப்போருருக்குச் சென்று வருவது வழக்கம். அவ்வாறே கி. பி. 1673 ஆம் ஆண்டு மார்கழி மாதம் 13-ஆம் தேதி கார்த் திகைக்கும் சென்றார்கள். திரும்பி வருகையில் களைப்பின் மேலீட்டால் செங்கண் மால் ஈசுவரன் கோயில் அருகில் உள்ள குளக்கரையில் படுத்து ஓய்வு எடுக்கை யில், உறங்கி விட்டனர். அவர்களது கனவில் முருகப்பெருமாள் தோன்றி "நீங்கள் ஏன் வருத்தப்பட்டுக் கொண்டு வருகிறீர்கள்; இதோ இந்த புற்றிலிருக்கிற என்னை எடுத்துச் சென்று நீங்கள் வசிக்கும் சென்னையில் பிரதிட்டை செய்து பூசை செய்து வாருங்கள்" என்று கூறினார். உடன் விழித்தெழுந்து, புற்றுக்குள் ளிருந்த சுவாமியை எடுத்துச் சென்று, செங்கல்லினால் ஒரு கோயில் அமைத்து அதில் சுவாமியைப் பிரதிட்டை செய்து பூசை செய்து வரலானர்கள். அவ்வாறு எடுப்பித்த கோயில் கிலனாகிய காரணத்தால் கருங்கல்லால் கோயில் அமைக்க ஆயிரவாள் வெகுசனம் நிச்சயித்து உண்ணாழி, அந்தராளம், மகாமண்டபம் ஆகி யவை எடுப்பித்தார்கள் என்பதை இக்கல்வெட்டு குறிக்கிறது. இப்பொழுது சென்னையில் கந்தசுவாமி கோயில் என்று சிறப்புற்று விளங்கும் கோயிலின் தோற் தந்தை இது குறிப்பதாகும்.

Velur Mari Chettiar, one of the Ayiraval (one of the thousands – a clan of the Chetti community), and Panchalam Pandaram used to go to Thiruporur on every Kiruthigai day to Worship Muruga. On 13^th March 1673 CE, while returning after darshan on a Kiruthigai day, they took rest and slept on the banks of a tank which was, on the south of Sri Chenganmal Eswaran Temple, north side of  Kammalan Chavadi, near the Valliammai mancha vodai ( water channel ). Murugan came into their dream and said, Do not worry, I am inside this Putru/ant hill. Take me along with you, where you are living in Chennai, and do Poojas. Both took the Murugan idol from the ant hill and installed it in a small temple built with bricks at Chennai, where the temple exists now. Since the old temple was dilapidated, the ayiravar / thousands, a reconstructed temple with stone, which consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and maha mandapam. The thirupani was started in the Masi month of Kalayukthi year, 1780, and completed in the next year, the Panguni month. The work was carried out by Kumbalinga Achari of Mylapore. This inscription describes the establishment of this Kandhakottam.  

There is a legend behind Utsavar. During the 17^th Century, it was proposed to make a Utsavar for this temple. The sthapathi had made and found some metals protruding like spikes. When the sthapathi tried to clear with a tool, he experienced shock. The Utsava Murti was kept in a locked room. One day, Sambayyar, who was well-versed in the Vedas, from Kasi, came and saw the Utsava Murti. With the permission of the Trustees, Sambayyar cleared the spikes through the chanting of Mantras.

Ref: 

Chennai Managara kalvettukaL  – சென்னை மாநகர கல்வெட்டுக்கள் ), by Nagaswamy.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pournami & Amavasya days, Panguni Uthiram, 18 days Thaipoosam/ Brahmotsavam, Vasantha Utsavam, New Year days, Fridays, Kiruthigai, Kandar Sashti, Navaratri festival, 9 Abhishekam to Utsava Murti, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 21.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The telephone numbers are 044 2535 2191 & 92 and 044 2535 2190.

Website: CLICK HERE 

Email: smdevasthanam@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH 

Walkable distance from the Pai Kadai bus stop.

1 km distance from Fort Railway Station and Broadway Bus Stand.

0.5 km from the Central Railway Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

The non-watermarked photos are taken from the website, thanks to unknown photographers. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Adhipureeswarar Temple / ஆதிபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில் / பள்ளிக்கரனை / Pallikaranai, Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.

After Kayarambedu, Sri Thiruvaheeswarar Temple, on the way to my residence, I visited this temple, which is on the west side of the Velachery to Tambaram main road at Pallikaranai. During my previous visit, some of the sannadhis were not added.

Moolavar    : Sri Adhipureeswarar

Consort      : Sri Sri Shantha Nayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with a three-tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank is on the east side of the Velachery to Tambaram main road, which was renovated with steps recently, with a walking track on the bund. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Nandhi are after the Rajagopuram. Moolavar is swayambhu. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshina Murthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

 

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi in artha mandapam. Ambal sanctum has the koshtas of Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, and Kamakshi.

In the parakaram Siva Anjaneyar, Maha Ganapathy (Vinayagar and Anjaneyar are facing each other, Valli Deva Sena Arumugar, Saba mandapam with procession deities, Navagrahas (Adhipureeswarar is at the center), Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar, Brahmi, Maheswari, Varahi, Raghu & Kethu, Swarna akarshana Bhairavar, Sarabeswarar, Vyaghrapada, Navagrahas, and Pathanchali. Nagars are under the sthala vruksham. The other Vrukshas inside the temple are Shenbagam, Rudraksha, Vellerukku, Kondrai, Peepaul, Iluppai, Vengai, Bamboo, Parai, Arali, Parijatham, Vanni, Neem, Mullai, and Mahizhamaram.

 

In the Adhisthana kandam inch sculptures of Kannappar Purana, Peacock, worship Lord Shiva, Spider, Snake, and Elephants worship Lord Shiva.

ARCHITECTURE.

Originally, a brick temple was built on a granite stone adhisthana. The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam.  The adhisthana is a Padabandha adhisthana with tripatta Kumuda.  Inch sculptures are in the kandam. The mandapam and Rajagopuram have been built in recent years with concrete. The sculpture depicting the Solar eclipse, Lunar eclipse, and fish is on the ceiling of the ardha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

It is claimed that the temple is more than 700 years old. In 1525 CE, Krishnadevaraya period inscriptions and 3 more later-period inscriptions were found on the adhistanam and walls. The place was called Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Puliyur Kottathu Surathoor Nattu Pallia kaaranai, and Lord Shiva was called Adheeswaramudaiyar.  The inscription also mentions the name Parvatheeswaramudiayar; we may take that this temple is also called by this name.

The Krishnadevaraya period (1525 CE) Tamil inscription mixed with grantha records, the equal sharing of the Tax income from the houses (1.25 panam for a month ) with periphery markings as south of Pashathanagar koil, north of sulakkal, east of Veerathal koil to be given to Parvatheeswaramudayar and Veerathal (Kaliamman) for maintenance. The inscription also mentions a two thari ( தறி ) for Thirupana Perumal.

The other inscriptions mention the thirupani / maintenance of Sevatha Pandithar’s son Devan Pandithar, Saththanathan, Madhava Pandithar Narasaiyan, Sevaka Perumal, Thambar, Siva Brahmin’s son Thigamalar Udaiyan, and Ponnambalanatha Pandian.

This Brick temple was found in a dilapidated condition due to lack of maintenance and patronage. With the effort of Local people and Shanthanayagi Trust, reconstruction was started in 1984, and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 22^nd August 1999. The Rajagopuram work was also started in 2011 and completed in 2013. The temple is under the control of the HR & CE Department.

 An inch sculpture - Peacock worshiping Lord Shiva

 An Inch sculpture of a snake worshiping Lord Shiva 

 Inch sculpture - Markandeya Purana

A  1999 CE old picture of the temple 

LEGENDS

It was believed that those who could not go to Kalahasti could perform Parihara pooja at this temple also. One of the specialties in this temple is the sun’s rays that fall on Moolavar from the 15^th to the 30^th of the Masi month every year. Munivars Vyaghrapada and Pathanchali worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple.

Lord Shiva gave life to all living things after the pralaya, which are merged with him (palli – merge). Hence, Lord Shiva is called Karunamurthy, and this place is called Pallikaranai (Krunai- mercy  - which turned to Karanai).

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is kept open from 06.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile numbers are 9840109495, 9444326057, and 9884235555.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is on the Velachery to Tambaram main road at Pallikaranai.

Pallikaranai is 11 km from Tambaram, 4 km from Velachery MRTS Railway station, and 25 km from MGR Central Railway station.

The Nearest Railway station is Tambaram, and the next is Chennai Central Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Brahmi, Maheswari, and Varahi

 Natarajar saba

 Vinayagar Sannidhi

 Nagars 

  Navagrahas

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar Sannadhi

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