Showing posts with label Chennai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chennai. Show all posts

Friday 9 February 2024

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 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 Vijayanagar bus Stop.



Main Deity        : Sri Dattatreyar
Consort            : Sri Anagha Devi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east. Stucco image 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 standing posture with 3 heads and 6 arms. The centre head is Maha Vishnu, right is Brahma and Left is Shiva. The lower hands are holding accamala and kendy / kamandalam. The Middle hands are holding Damaru ( some cases trishul with Damaru or without Damaru )  and lotus flower ( some cases a gatha ) and 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 cement concrete. All the three temples are only with sanctum sanctorum. The Sanctum sanctorum are 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 on 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 are established in the year 2004. 

The temple was badly damaged during 2015 flood and 2016 vardha cyclone. The total temple structure was pulled down and temples are constructed on the same place. Dakshinamurthy, Danvanthiri, Lakshmi Hayagreevar, Vishveshwara sannidhis are added during the reconstruction. The reconstructed temple’s maha kumbhabhishekam was initiated on 28th 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 4th March 2018.


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

Dattatreya was the son of Atri Maharishi and Anusuya. Atri was born from 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 wants to show Anusuya’s supremacy and Chastity to this to this world, through testing her. All the three came to the ashram in the form of 3 saints, when Atri was away. All the three told her, they will have their food, only if Anusuya serve food in naked, since they practice different austerity. Anusuya readily accepted the saint’s request. Since She followed Dharma and superior in chastity, She turned all the three saints in to newborn infants. She fed all three with milk from her breasts. In the mean time Atri Maharishi returned home and found his wife is feeding to the three children. Through his third Vision he came to know that all the three babies are none other than Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva, those came in the form of saints.

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

The 24 Gurus that Dattatreya found in nature and society has become famous and a part of puranas and scriptures. Some of them are earth, wind, fire, sky, water, moon, sun, pigeons, python, snakes, dogs, Cow, and 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 three worlds. He started ruling all the three worlds and gave frequent troubles to Devas. Unbearable Devas sought the help of Dattatreya, as advised by Brihaspati. At that time MahaLakshmi 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 Devas and Dattatreya. On seeing the beauty of Maha Lakshmi, Jamba, fell 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 away from three lokas / worlds.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are also conducted. The ashtami day in Margazhi month is observed as Anaghashtami Vratham. This signifies the worship of Anaka Dattar who gained the ashtama siddhis as children. Dattatreya utsavam is also celebrated in grand manner.  

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


Hanuman with Coconuts are tied as a part of prayer. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The land line numbers +9144 2233879 and mobile number +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 baby Nagar bus stop and about a KM from Vijayanagar Bus Stand.
Nearest MRTS railway station is Velachery.   

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Tuesday 20 December 2022

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 “Shiva and Amman Temples Visit”, in Park Town and George Town areas, on 22nd March 2015.  Many Shiva and Amman temples are spread in these areas. Some of the temples are 500 years old and has 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 as “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 is facing 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 prakaram sannidhi for Chidambara Swamigal, Dhandapani Swamigal, Kumaraguru Dasa Swamigal, Ramalinga Swamigal, Dwajasthambam, Arunagirinathar, Urchavar mandapam, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Kalvettukkal. On the opposite to Temple Tank, Thirukachi Nambigal, Kirubananda Variyar, Natarajar in wood finish ( May be wood too.. - Manickavasagar, Ambal, Viyakrapadar and Patanjali muni ), Gnana Dhandapani, Palliyarai, 63var, Dharma Namasivaya, Velur MariChetty ( Who is the instrumental for this temple construction ) and Urchava murti.


Thanks to Kandhakottam Facebook page 

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

The prahara walls are with stucco image 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 17th 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 being managed by the elected trustees from Beri Chettiar Community. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 2nd July 2016.

LEGENDS
The Sthala purana of this temple is in the form of 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 Chetti community  ) and Panchalam Pandaram, used to go to Thiruporur  on every Kiruthigai day to Worship Muruga. On 13th March 1673 CE, while returning after darshan on a Kiruthigai day, due to tired 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 Valliammai mancha vodai ( water channel ). Murugan came in their dream and said, do not worry, I am in side this putru / ant hill. Take me along with you, where you are living in Chennai and do Poojas. Both took Murugan idol from the ant hill and installed in a small temple built with bricks at Chennai, where the temple exists now. Since the old temple was dilapidated, the ayiraval / thousands, reconstructed temple with stone, which consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala and maha mandapam. The thirupani was started in Masi month Kalayukthi year, 1780 and completed in next year Panguni month. The work was carried out Kumbalinga Achari of Mylapore. This inscription describes the establishment of this Kandhakottam.  

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

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 opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The telephone numbers are 044 2535 2191 & 92 and 044 2535 2190.
Web site : CLICK HERE 
Email: smdevasthanam@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH 
Walk-able distance from Pai kadai bus stop.
1 KM distance from Fort Railway station and Broadway bus stand.
0.5 KM from Central Railway station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  CLICK HERE








The non water marked photos are taken from the web site and thanks to the unknown photographers. 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Friday 8 April 2022

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

After Kayarambedu, Sri Thiruvaheeswarar Temple’s visit, on the way to my residence 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 are not added.


Moolavar    : Sri Adhipureeswarar
Consort      : Sri Sri Shantha Nayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are ....
The temple is facing east with a three tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank is on the east side of Velachery to Tambaram main road which was renovated with steps recently, with walking track on the bund. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are after the Rajagopuram. Moolavar is swayambhu. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, 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 centre ), Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar, Brahmi, Maheswari, Varahi, Raghu & Kethu, Swarna akarshana Bhairavar, Sarabeswarar, Vyaghrapada, Navagrahas and Pathanchali. Nagars are under the sthala vruksham. The other Vrukshas in side the temple are Shenbagam, Rudraksha, Vellerukku, Kondrai, Peepaul, Iluppai, Vengai, Bamboo, Parai, Arali, Parijatham, Vanni, Neem, Mullai and mahizhamaram.
 
In Adhisthana kandam inch sculptures of Kannappar purana, Peacock worshiping Lord Shiva, Spider, Snake and Elephant worship lord Shiva.

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

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:
It is claimed that the temple is more than 700 years old. 1525 CE, Krishnadevaraya period inscriptions and 3 more latter period inscriptions  are found on the adhistanam and walls. The place was called as Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Puliyur Kottathu Surathoor Nattu Pallia kaaranai and Lord Shiva was called as Adheeswaramudaiyar.  The inscription also mentions a name as Parvatheeswaramudiayar, we may take that this temple also called by this name.

The Krishnadevaraya’s 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 mentions 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 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 22nd August 1999. The Rajagopuram work was also started in 2011 and Completed in 2013. The temple is under the control of HRCE Department.

 An inch sculpture - Peacock worshiping Lord Shiva
 An Inch sculpture of snake worshiping Lord shiva 
 Inch sculpture - Markandeya purana
A  1999 CE old picture of the temple 

LEGENDS
It was believed that those could not go to Kalahasti, can perform parihara pooja at this temple also. One of the speciality in this temple is sun’s rays used to fall on moolavar  from 15th to 30th of Masi month, every year. Munivars Vyaghrapada and Pathanchali  worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

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

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple is kept open between 06.30 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 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.
Nearest Railway station is Tambaram and next Chennai Central Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Brahmi, Maheswari and Varahi

 Natarajar saba
 Vinayagar Sannidhi
 Nagars 
  Navagrahas
 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar Sannadhi
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---